Waste Reduction Week in Thunder Bay (October 18-24, 2010)
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 and our community partners will be coordinating a wide range of activities, so plan to participate! 
- Waste Reduction Fair
- Electronic Waste Collection
- School Programs
- ReCool Tour
- Retail Programs
- Radio Promotions
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Great Pumpkin Compost Collection
- Take an Old Bag Shopping
- Thunder Bay's Green Guide
Waste Reduction Fair
Intercity Shopping Centre will host this fair on Saturday, October 23rd in the Zellers wing. Learn what you can do to reduce your "waste-line" at this interactive and educational event from 9:30am to 6pm, with the City of Thunder Bay, EcoSuperior, EarthWise and Confederation College Waste Management students. Some of the displays and activities you will find include:
- How to make environmentally-conscious decisions at the grocery store
- Try out some natural cleaning products
- Bring in your old eye glasses for recycling/reuse
- Learn to make handy items and crafts from old shopping bags
- See how composting works and learn how to do it at home
- Learn about tire recycling, and see what old tires can be made into
Bring your questions, make some pledges, pick up some giveaways,and enter a draw for great prizes!
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. Students will also have an opportunity to tour the new City of Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Facility and/or ReCool recycling plant. They may even receive a visit from local super hero, Super Recycle Girl! We'll also be listing lots of great activities, lesson plans and other resources for educators. Contact Karen at 624-2143 or through contact us to book a presentation or tour.
Free Tour of ReCool Canada's Recycling Facility
Ever wonder what happens to all those recyclables when they leave the curb or the depot? Find out on this free public tour on Monday, October 18th from 3:45-5:15pm (including travel time). Transportation is provided. Reserve your seat and get the pick-up/drop-off location by calling 624-2141.
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, save energy or prevent pollution. This is also a great time to let everyone know what kinds of waste reduction initiatives you are working on. How about challenging your co-workers in a waste-less lunch contest, or starting a recycling or composting program? Paint stores across the City will be participating in the annual Paint Sticker Program to help remind people about how to safely dispose of leftover paint products.
Radio Promotions
Stay tuned to your favourite local radio stations to learn how you can reduce waste and for a chance to win great prizes.
Community Electronic Waste Collection
On Saturday, October 23rd between 9:30am and 2:30pm in the Sears parking lot at Intercity Shopping Centre (Fort William Rd. and Harbour Expressway). Find out what will be accepted here . This event is being put on by Pack Pros Plus, the Zero Waste Action Team, Intercity Shopping Centre, and EcoSuperior, with sponsorship from the Ontario Electronics Stewardship program. Certain electronics are accepted on an ongoing basis for recycling at Pack Pros Plus (344-8799), the City of Thunder Bay Household Hazardous Waste Depot (624-2195), Staples, and Future Shop. Visit Do What You Can for more information and a complete list of what's accepted at each location.
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, fertilizers, medicines and more. Call 684-2195 for more information. The depot is open Mondays to Saturdays.
Great Pumpkin Compost Collection
Residents are encouraged to put Jack in the Box, not in the trash. Since the collection began in 1995, over 276 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 - 11th at the Lakehead Labour Centre, County Fair Plaza and the Westfort Playfield. Remember--no plastic bags, no candles, and no trash--pumpkins and compostable decorations (corn stalks, hay bales) 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 624-2143.
Page last updated on Wednesday, October 05, 2011
