YELLOWKNIFE (October 13, 2022) – Waste Reduction Week starts this Sunday – and the Northwest Territories is joining the celebration.
This year, the Government of the Northwest Territories is encouraging awareness about waste reduction practices, drawing attention to successful community-led waste reduction projects, and supporting various community events planned by Ecology North.
Themes
Daily themes for this year’s Waste Reduction Week include:
- Circular Economy Monday
- Textiles Tuesday
- E-Waste Wednesday
- Plastics Thursday
- Food Waste Friday
- Sharing Economy Saturday
- Swap and Repair Sunday
How to participate
You can encourage people to rethink their routine and reduce the amount of waste they produce. Here’s how you can take part in Waste Reduction Week 2022:
- Residents: encourage your friends and family by sharing what you do to reduce waste in your day-to-day life.
- Businesses, governments, and organizations: lead by example – run an event to encourage waste reduction, share your waste reduction practices on social media using #WasteReductionWeek.
- Teachers, parents, and students: learn about food waste in Canada and take the Food Waste Pledge with your kids or class.
A call-to-action for everyone for Waste Reduction Week
We can all do better!
Recovery of beverage containers dropped significantly during the pandemic at just under 62%, compared to prior years in which it exceeded 80%. This was caused by temporary closures of recycling depots and the introduction of new health and safety protocols to protect employees and the public. We want to remind residents that services have resumed full operation and have even been expanded in many cases.
It’s time to rethink your routine and get back to recycling. Recycling programs in the NWT include:
- Convenient drop and go programs in Yellowknife and Hay River – where you can drop off your beverage containers, let the depot do the counting, and watch your refund account grow.
- Expanded e-waste program – accepting even more types of electronic waste than ever before.
- 20 local recycling depots – with 15 accepting electronic waste.
- Community collection events in communities that do not have a recycling depot.
Quote(s)
“Reducing waste is good for everyone. It means cleaner communities, cleaner air, and a healthier environment. This week, we are calling on you to rethink your routine and find ways to reduce waste.”
- Shane Thompson, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources
Quick facts
- Since 2010, more than 69 million single-use retail bags have been kept out of NWT landfills and off the land.
- 424 tonnes of electronic waste have been collected for recycling since 2016.
- Since 2005, NWT residents have recycled over 378 million beverage containers.
Related links
- 2020/2021 Waste Reduction and Recovery Program Report
- Waste Reduction Week in Canada
- Expanded E-Waste Pilot Program
For media requests, please contact:
Jessica Davey-Quantick
Communications Planning Specialist
Environment and Natural Resources
Government of the Northwest Territories
