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Simple Solutions: Reducing Your Wasteline

Fast and Free

1. Know all the containers Albertans pay a deposit on and can get a refund for. As of June 1, 2009 all milk containers will be refundable.
2. Discover where one of the Alberta’s 200 bottle depots is located in your town or neighborhood. http://www.bcmb.ab.ca/find-a-depot.html
3. Save a few plastic containers as “to-go” containers for guests who love your cooking. Donate small plastic containers to art classes at school for mixing paint.
4. Take out-of-date medications back to your pharmacy for proper disposal.
5. Use the community toxic waste round-up. Many Fire Halls take these products year-round.
6. The Kidney Foundation offers $40 for your old car and will haul it away for you.
7. Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints.
8. Before you throw out that old vase, briefcase or nick-knack, offer it to friends and family.
9. Put a sign on your mailbox that says “No Junk Mail, Please.” If you use a community mailbox, put one inside your slot too! Check out Canada Post’s Green Choices Program for more ideas on greening your mail.
10. Reduce paper by requesting bills or annual reports be sent to you electronically. Pay your bills online, and use online instead of paper catalogues for major retailers.
11. Keep a litter bag in your car. Make sure that the cargo box of your pickup is secured.
12. Pick up litter. Litter is a significant source of storm water pollution. It can cause storm drain blockages that lead to flooding, affect water quality and may also be a hazard to wildlife.
13. Put a basket beside the phone and wherever else you need paper. Keep it filled with scrap paper for notes, and make sure both sides are used before recycling.
14. Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material. Even better, avoid products with several layers of packaging.
15. Save paper waste by reading your newspapers online.
16. Bring reusable containers with you instead of accepting disposable containers for take-out and leftovers at restaurants.
17. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposables.
18. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
19. Shop with a canvas bag instead of paper or plastic bags.
20. Practice dry cleanup methods. Rather than hosing down your driveway or sidewalk, use a broom to sweep up waste. For oil spills use a product such as cat litter to absorb the oil, then sweep up the litter and place it in your trash.
21. Check out websites where members advertise items to give away, such as Freecycle.org or EdmontonEarthcycle.org. Visit the website and search for a group near you (36 Alberta chapters). Join the group and start getting free stuff!
22. Check reports for products that repair easily and have low breakdown rates.
23. If you’re done with something, consider giving it to a friend who’s always admired it.
24. Contact local shelters before you get rid of furniture. Often, your old furniture is just what someone needs to set up a new life.
25. Organize a community garage sale or donate items to your church for its sale.
26. Donate your books to the local library or school library.
27. Freeze a 2-litre juice container as block ice for your cooler. Your cooler will be cleaner (no messy soaking as the ice melts) and it’s an emergency drinking water source if you need it.

Simple and Low Cost

1. Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals.
2. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.
3. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
4. Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.
5. Buy the right amount of paint for the job—ask paint store or department to help you estimate how much paint you’ll need.
6. Close the loop by buying recycled paint.
7. Used oil, old paint and other household chemicals must not be placed in your trash for collection. Dispose of them for free at your local Ecostation or a household hazardous waste collection event, often hosted by your local fire department.
8. Take your used oil to a drop-off location. Call 1-888-922-2298 for more information.

Spend to Save

1. Rent seldom-used items instead of buying them. Save storage space. You can rent just about anything from a chocolate fountain to a roto-tiller. Use your personal network, the web and your local business directory to do some research about what’s close to you. Suggestions of things to rent and borrow are: ladders, chain saws, party decorations and other items that are seldom used.
2. Take your car to a professional garage for oil changes. If you change your car’s oil, don’t dump it on the ground or in the storm drain. Bring oil to an oil recycling center for proper disposal
3. Buy rechargeable batteries for frequently used devices.
4. Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternatives to lighter fluid.
5. Buy printer cartridges that can be recycled. Make sure you recycle them.
6. Buy items in bulk to reduce the packaging wasted.
7. Spend the money to maintain and repair durable items instead of buying new ones.

Learn More

• Recycling Council of Alberta 1-800-463-6326
• Alberta's Waste Action Plan
• Freecycle (36 Alberta chapters)
• Swaptree (books, CDs, DVDs)
• Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation
• Recycling Council of Alberta
• Alberta Recycle Information Line
• Canada Post Green Choices Program
• Smart Flyer Canada (access paperless flyers online)
• Red Dot Campaign (anti-junk mail campaign)
• Beverage Container Management Board
• Alberta Recycling Management Authority