When practicing the three Rs, try to reduce and reuse first before you recycle. Sending waste to the landfill should be a last resort. Use your garbage can last. Think twice every time you use it. Many of the items placed in the garbage are divertible. Every action counts!
Reduce
- Remember to bring reusable bags when grocery shopping. Try to keep a couple heavy-duty bags in the car and some light fold-up ones in a day bag.
- Take a paperless coffee break and use a reusable mug.
- When offered, decline promotional and single-use items that you don’t need. It’s as easy as saying, “No straw please”.
- Give experiences and share memories that don’t need wrapping (e.g. memberships and classes).
- Purchase products with less packaging.
- Plan out your meals and use a shopping list to reduce food waste.
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn.
Reuse
- Repair items if you can before replacing them.
- Pack waste-free lunches.
- Purchase items second-hand.
- Donate items you no longer use to charity.
Recycle
- Use your blue cart or a Big Blue Bin depot to recycle acceptable items.
- Compost food scraps and yard waste at home by using a backyard composter.
- Recycling helps to conserve our natural resources and extends the life of our landfill.
The current life expectancy of Regina’s Landfill is 26 years. It will cost approximately $50-$100 million to build a new one. You can make a huge difference for the environment by simply sorting your mixed recycling, compost, and landfill items. Diverting food and yard waste from the landfill reduces greenhouse gas emissions and protects our environment. Let’s all take simple steps to reduce our waste because together we make a big difference.
Not sure where to put an item?
Check out the Waste Wizard tool to find out how to properly dispose or donate common waste items.
