Environmental Citizenship

Based on its Code of Environmental Stewardship, the Government of Canada encourages all federal employees to be more environmentally responsible during their workday. Various awareness events are held, including annual participation in Earth Day (April 22) and Environment Week activities (during the first week of June).

Waste Reduction Week

Since 2001, Waste Reduction Week in Canada has aimed to inform and engage Canadians through the theme Too Good to Waste! This year, activities are planned in communities and municipalities across the country to encourage Canadians to reduce their impact on the environment. Changes to our daily actions take only a little effort but can make a big difference. Read on to learn about ways each one of us can help reduce waste, and visit the Waste Reduction Week in Canada Website for more information.

Easy Tips for Reducing Waste at Work and at Home

Paper Waste:

• Print and copy on both sides of the page… it's as easy as 1-2-3!
  1. Click on the Start tab and choose 'Printers' from the Settings menu
  2. Right click on your default printer and select 'Printing Preferences'
  3. Choose the option to print on 2 sides, click OK
• Use recycled paper (including unbleached paper) whenever possible.
• Establish a collection box to gather paper that has only been used on one side. The clean side of the paper can still be used.
• Reduce paper usage by using electronic mail.
• Stop the printing of your pay stubs. Visit the Compensation Sector's Website for more details on how to take this waste-reducing step.

Material Waste:

• Recycle office supplies: put used binders, envelopes and file folders in your supply closet for others that need them.
• Fill up your coffee in a reusable mug and use reusable food containers for meals at work.
• Buy food and other products with reusable, recyclable and reduced packaging.
• Use cloth bags for your trips to the store.
• Buy products that are well made and durable; that way you'll reduce waste while saving yourself time, money and aggravation.
• Take it back! Be sure to return empty beverage containers where this service is available.

Looking for more ways you can help reduce your impact on the environment? Here are a few ideas to consider:

Water Waste:

• Always turn taps off tightly so they don't drip. Watch for and report drips or leaks to the building manager. Be sure someone repairs them promptly.
• Troubled toilets. Watch for leaks from toilet tanks into toilet bowls, at the base of toilets, or around urinals. Where relevant, report them promptly to the building manager.
• Water your garden in the coolest part of the day (before 10 a.m.) and on non-windy days to reduce water loss from evaporation.
• Use sprinklers that deliver large droplets in a flat pattern rather than those that throw the water high into the air to avoid evaporation.
• Place your sprinklers and hoses carefully so that water does not land on driveways, sidewalks, or streets.
• Use automatic timers on sprinklers if you will be leaving during the watering.

Energy Waste:

• Turn off lights and electronic equipment such as televisions and computers when not in use.
• Reduce the "phantom" current that is constantly generated even when these devices are off. Use a timer and a power bar to turn on the power to your appliance only when you need it.
• In summer, close blinds to reduce solar heat gain - you'll need less air conditioning. In winter, open blinds to let sunlight in so that you can turn down the thermostat.
• Avoid pre-heating your oven for longer than is necessary - five to ten minutes is usually sufficient - and thaw frozen foods in the fridge before cooking. They require less cooking time and, therefore, use less energy to prepare.
• Seal your home from drafts by caulking around all baseboards, windows, doors and electrical and cable outlets.
• Have your furnace inspected regularly. Keeping furnace filters and floor/wall vents clean will help the fan that circulates warm air throughout your home to run more efficiently. It is recommended that furnace filters be changed every two months or sooner if you have pets.
• Adjust your programmable thermostat. In winter, set the temperature to 18ºC when you are away. Program the system to warm the house shortly before you return. While you're home, an efficient thermostat setting is 20ºC to 21ºC.

Practice sustainable transportation by biking, walking, carpooling, using transit, or teleworking whenever possible

• Did you know that leaving your car at home will have an immediate and direct impact on greenhouse gas emissions? Each year, a single city bus can take 40 vehicles off the road, save 10,646 litres of fuel, and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 25 tonnes. It is also cheaper than driving everywhere, and it can be much less stressful.
• Team up! If your workplace does not have car pools, volunteer to organize one.

Consider starting a compost bin

All kinds of kitchen waste can be put into the compost bin rather than into the garbage. Vegetable tops and salad extras, coffee grounds, tea leaves, egg shells and fruit peelings will all break down in a compost pile, as will yard waste such as small branches, grass cuttings, straw, and soil. Avoid meat scraps, bones or milk products in a backyard or kitchen composter, but check your local collection services, since some across the country now have green box pickup for compost material.

Wondering where to start?

• Buy a pre-made compost bin, or make your own. If you do not want your own compost pile, perhaps a neighbour with one would appreciate your contributions.
• A simple, home-made compost bin should be a minimum of 1m² and 1m to 1.5m high. Any smaller than that and it will not generate enough heat inside to decompose the materials efficiently.
• Contact your municipality for more information on how to build your own composter or where to purchase one.
• Visit the EnviroZine for more information.