Thunder Bay will once again be a part of the nation-wide celebration to raise awareness of waste reduction. The City of Thunder Bay Transportation & Works Division, EcoSuperior, Zero Waste Action Team and our community partners will be coordinating a wide range of activities, so plan to participate! Waste Reduction Week Sponsors.
Waste Reduction Fair
Intercity Shopping Centre will host this fair on Saturday, October 17th featuring the City of Thunder Bay, ReCool Canada, EcoSuperior, Zero Waste Action Team, Earthwise Thunder Bay, and more. Learn what you can do to reduce your "waste-line" at the promo court from 9:30am to 6pm. Bring your questions, enter a draw for prizes and prepare to be inspired!
Community Electronic Waste Collection
Help keep unwanted electronics out of the landfill by bringing them to the Intercity Shopping Centre parking lot (at Harbour Expressway and Fort William Rd. corner, by Sears) on Saturday, October 24th between 11am and 4pm for safe and secure recycling, reuse and/or disposal. There is no cost, however, only the following items can be accepted at this time: Computers (including monitors, keyboards, mice and other peripherals), desktop printers, fax machines and televisions. If you can not make it to this event, these items will also be accepted on an ongoing basis at Pack Pros Plus (344-8799) or the City of Thunder Bay Household Hazardous Waste Depot (624-2195). Visit Do What You Can for more information.
Household Hazardous Waste Depot
This is a great time to get rid of all your household hazardous waste before winter! The Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the new City of Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Facility is free of charge for city residents, and you can drop off items all year round, including paints, cleaners, batteries, pesticides, medicines and more. The new site, located at 5405 Mapleward Rd., replaces the John Street Landfill Site. Call 684-2195 for more information.
School Programs
EcoSuperior and Lakehead University Education students will be visiting classrooms during Waste Reduction Week, sharing fun and practical ideas on how to reduce waste. Some schools will also participate in an Electronic Waste Collection, where students can bring old electronics to school to be collected for safe recycling and disposal. Students may also have an opportunity to tour the new City of Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Facility, or receive a visit from a local super hero: Super Recycle Girl!
Retail Program
If you run a business we invite you to take part in Waste Reduction Week by highlighting products or services that help your customers reduce waste. Run a WRW special and we'll do advertise it on the radio for you! This is also a great time to let everyone know what kinds of waste reduction initiatives you are working on.
Radio Promotions
Stay tuned to your favourite local radio stations to learn how you can reduce waste and a chance to win great prizes.
Great Pumpkin Compost Collection
Residents are encouraged to put Jack in the Box, not in the trash. Since the collection began in 1995, over 252 metric tonnes of pumpkins have been diverted from the landfill to the municipal composting facility. Bins for Halloween Pumpkins will be set up from November 1st - 10th at the Lakehead Labour Centre, County Fair Plaza and the Westfort Playfield. Remember--no plastic bags, no candles, and no trash--pumpkins only please! Sponsored by ReCool Canada Inc. and Print Pros Plus.
Take An Old Bag Shopping
Plastic shopping bags use an exceptional amount of resources and energy to produce, and then they create litter, garbage in the landfill, and are a hazard to wildlife. The provincial government has set a target of 50% reduction in the use of plastic bags by 2012. Remember to bring your reusable bag to the store with you and watch for special promotions by local retailers who support plastic bag reduction.
Don't forget to check out Thunder Bay's "Green Guide"
Ever wonder what to do with old computers, printer cartridges, or other items that you no longer have use for, but you know don't belong in the landfill? Check out this comprehensive guide for local recycling and re-use solutions. It is available on-line here, or pick up a hard copy at the Thunder Bay Public Library or EcoSuperior office.
For more information on any of these programs call EcoSuperior at 624-2148.
Page last updated on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
