What You Can Do To Reduce Garbage

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What You Can Do To Reduce Garbage

Reducing the amount of garbage you produce is a simple and effective way of saving public money and contributing to a cleaner environment. Here's how you can do your part.

20 Tips For Reducing Waste

Buy only what you need to do the job.
Deliver household waste oil and used vehicle batteries to a facility that is permitted to collect special waste.
Exchange or give unwanted material to friends and neighbours who can use them.
Return for a refund all recyclable beverage containers such as aluminum cans, liquor containers, plastic bottles, and tetra-packs.
Take your recyclables to your nearest recycling centre (tin cans, milk jugs, glass jars and bottles, printing and writing paper, newspapers, magazines, old telephone books, corrugated cardboard).
Use re-refined motor oil in your vehicle.
Use rechargeable batteries.
Avoid buying over-packaged items such as products excessively wrapped in plastic.
Purchase goods such as cereal, rice, pasta, and nuts in bulk. Buy concentrated forms of items such as detergent.
Buy items in recyclable containers made of aluminum, steel, glass, paper or cardboard.
Use the backside of paper and envelopes for notes, or reuse the envelopes.
Borrow or rent seldom-used items rather than buying them.
Share magazines, newspapers, old toys, and other used items with friends and family, or donate them to a local hospital, senior citizen's home, or social service organization.
Keep a cloth towel next to the sink, instead of using paper towels.
Plan meals carefully so that leftovers are not thrown in the garbage.
Compost organic materials and use a soil conditioner.
Use cloth shopping bags instead of disposable plastic bags; reuse plastic grocery bags and cardboard boxes.
Try to fix and mend things first before replacing them.
Buy used items from second-hand stores and garage sales.
Use old newspaper to wrap your birthday and Christmas presents.

The Problem With Burning

There are no laws against burning solid waste at this time, but there are a number of concerns about the practice. These include:

risk of fire damage to nearby property;
health issues;
nuisance factor;
atmospheric pollution; and
contribution to global warming.

Burning is not recommended and should be considered only as a last resort. Work to reduce the amount of waste you generate before you even consider burning your trash. Practice the 4R's of conservation -reduce, reuse, recycle and reclaim.

Burning Requirements and Guidelines

If you do decide to burn, you must first obtain an Air Emissions Permit under the Environment Act. Please take these precautions when burning solid waste:

Burn only weeds, untreated wood, brush and leaves. Do not burn petroleum products, plastics, rubber, or anything else that causes excessive smoke or toxic fumes.
Avoid burning during winter thermal inversions because the smoke may settle and accumulate over populated areas.
Avoid burning on foggy or snowy days because the smoke will not disperse properly and may concentrate in one area.
Burn only when wind conditions will disperse the smoke away from nearby populated areas.
Do not burn during high winds or when the wind direction is frequently changing as fire can spread quickly.
Keep fires an adequate distance from buildings.
Ensure a quick, hot and complete burn by turning or aerating smouldering materials.
Avoid burning rain-soaked garbage unless there is a risk of attracting wildlife.
Make every reasonable effort to prevent runoff water from entering the burning area.
Burn in small manageable piles.
If you live in a municipality you should find out if there are any local bylaws that apply to open burning.