Waste Reduction Week kicks off in Airdrie Oct. 21 as part of a national environmental campaign to educate, engage and empower Canadians to reduce, reuse and recycle.
“It builds awareness around ‘take-action’ messages on issues of circular economy, resource efficiency and waste reduction,” said Susan Grimm, team leader with Waste and Recycling Services, during a presentation to council Oct. 7. “For Waste Reduction Week 2019, the City of Airdrie will continue to raise awareness around food waste.”
In 2017, Grimm said, research by the National Zero Waste Council suggested that, on average, 63 per cent of food thrown away in the home could have been eaten – approximately 140 kilograms of wasted food per year, an estimated cost of more than $1,700 per home.
“With over 26,210 homes in Airdrie, that’s over $46 million of food wasted in our city alone,” said Airdrie Education Co-ordinator Mara Pratt in an Oct. 7 press release. “Sometimes, it’s tough to know how much food you’ll need, but with a few easy tips and a thoughtful approach to grocery shopping, residents can save money and reduce food waste.”
Number one, according to the press release, is to keep an organized fridge. Perishable foods should be kept in one area, and used first when making meals. Residents should also learn how to store different foods so they last longer, like using crispers with the vents open or closed as appropriate.
A weekly meal plan can help save money and reduce waste as shoppers will be picking up only what they need, the release stated, and residents should use up the food in their fridges before buying more. Any food that won’t be used before it spoils could be donated to the Airdrie Food Bank, noted the release, so it doesn’t go to waste.
“Within the City of Airdrie, our goal is to educate residents on diverting the 35 per cent of organic waste still found in the curbside garbage collection [according to figures from the 2018 audit],” Grimm said.
Between Oct. 21 and 27, Waste and Recycling staff will be offering guided tours of the Airdrie recycling depot, making appearances to engage with the public at Airdrie Public Library and increasing the department’s presence on social media. The effort, according to Grimm, will help residents “learn to get creative with leftovers, arrange their fridge and consider what they are buying at the store” – all to help curb food waste and increase local awareness.
“Unique to 2019 in the collaboration between other southern Alberta municipalities to create similar messaging, showing that food waste is larger than just a municipal issue,” she said.
Following a proclamation of council Oct. 7, Airdrie City Hall will be lit up in blue and green Oct. 23, reminding residents of the importance of waste reduction when it comes to conserving resources and protecting the environment.
To learn more about reducing food waste and Waste Reduction Week, visit airdrie.ca/foodwaste
