We are issuing a series of challenges during Waste Reduction Week in an effort to help Canadians work together toward ecological sustainability by conserving resources and curbing wasteful practices.
Challenge #1 (Monday, October 21): Take Recycling Beyond the Blue Box
Most people already make it part of their routine to sort their plastics, cardboard, glass and cans into their blue boxes. We challenge you to think beyond the blue box and recycle other waste including Styrofoam, candy wrappers, plastic packaging and mixed packaging. London Drugs’ Bring Back the Pack program accepts packaging that can’t be recycled through the blue bin program. Over 187,000 pounds of Styrofoam has already been diverted from landfills.
Challenge #2 (Tuesday, October 22): Reduce E-Waste
Staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest in electronics is important these days, but when you upgrade your cell phone or computer, what do you do with the old one? Throwing your electronics in the garbage can have damaging effects on the environment due to levels of lead, mercury, chromium and arsenic, which are toxic to humans and wildlife. With 140,000 tonnes of e-waste dumped into our landfills annually, there’s reason for concern. Cell phones can easily be recycled through the national Recycle My Cell program, or you can bring them into any London Drugs location. Programs like Free Geek will take any computers, monitors, or laptops and they distribute working computers volunteers and other non-profits, so you’ll have two reasons to feel good about recycling your old laptop!
Challenge #3 (Wednesday, October 23 rd): Divert and Reduce Beverage Container Waste
Beverage container waste is a problem that is not only affecting our landfills, but is clogging up our oceans with debris that is lethal to marine life. Floating along the North Pacific, a ‘Trash Vortex’ the size of Texas carries plastic waste in and among marine ecosystems, where animals may get caught in plastic rings and bottles, or ingest plastic pieces as they break down. You can prevent this harmful waste by switching to green options which avoid the use of excessive amounts of plastic or aluminum. Just one Brita Water Pitcher Filter can replace as many as 300 standard water bottles (and you can recycle the filters too)! If you’re looking for carbonated beverages, try switching to Soda Stream , which allows you to make everything from carbonated water to your favourite soft drinks…without the can or bottle waste.
Challenge #4 (Thursday, October 24th): Make greener purchase decisions
You want to make greener choices, but sometimes you just need some help making them! The next time you’re in London Drugs, see if you can spot ‘What’s the Green Deal?’ signs in the aisles. These will help you find products that have real environmental benefits, from recycled content, to certified organic production, and many other eco-attributes. You’ll find the signs on all kinds of items, like paper yard waste bags, which are made from raw materials that are biodegradable. Look for them and find out how you could be shopping a little greener.
Challenge #5 (Friday, October 24th):Be #WasteWise365
Being waste wise isn’t just something you do for one week; it’s something that should be part of your lifestyle, 365 days of the year! We want to know how you plan to help reduce waste year-round. After all, these simple little things can make a big impact over the course of a whole year.
Share with us on Twitter or Facebook using #WasteWise365 for your chance to win a $300 London Drugs gift card so you can start shopping a little greener and save some green too! Good luck to all of you; we look forward to seeing how you are starting a waste wise and sustainable lifestyle!
