A few blogs ago we told you about the Rocky Ridge Royal Oak Community Association (RRROCA) Stampede Breakfast and their efforts to make it a waste-free event (with the help of Green Calgary and London Drugs)
Well, the numbers are in and it looks like a great inaugural event, achieving a 79% diversion of waste from landfill.
RRROCA asked all community members, in advance, to bring their own reusable foodware. Wash stations were set up to clean sticky dishes with London Drugs’ brand of natural dish soap.
London Drugs also donated compostable products and organics and recycling bin collection was provided by PEL Recycling.
PEL was able to collect meat products and processed organic products (grilled pancakes), along with the certified compostable foodware that was provided to those who did not bring their own.
This impressive initial measurement can be credited to the partnership between London Drugs, RRROCA, Green Calgary, PEL Recycling and the dedicated volunteers. When guests deposited materials in the incorrect bins, volunteers would often retrieve the item and place it in the correct bin.
Green Calgary’s report also pointed out a list of recommendations for improvement. Here are just a few of the good ideas:
- Develop signage that is specific to the event, with images of materials and clear indication of where they should go.
- Encourage London Drugs to obtain testing for biodegradability and a third party certification (Environmental Choice, EcoLogo, EcoCert) for Naturals Dishwashing Liquid.
- Train volunteers that leftover pancake batter can be composted. (the batter that was sent to landfill weighed about 20kgs – half of the waste weight. If this had been composted the diversion rate could have been 89%!)
Congratulations to everyone involved. Way to make your Stampede Breakfast the real Green Deal!
