‘Zero Waste’ Movement Continues to gain Momentum in Canada

The zero waste movement is alive and well across Canada as corporate partner, individual Canadian households, and municipalities continue to drive towards a more environmentally-friendly future. As a concept, zero waste is a very attractive lifestyle to many. Zero waste preaches a reduction in the waste we use by creating circular economic systems wherein the products we consume can then be recycled, repurposed, or remanufactured into something else.

To some, this might seem close to impossible. Believe it or not though, Canada is inching its way closer and closer to a zero waste reality. Households are beginning to question the single-use, disposable products they use. Manufacturers are developing more recyclable packaging that is not just single-use. Corporate giants like Walmart have also made firm commitments to reducing their waste within the next five years. Though it may have appeared like a farfetched dream at one point, today, we are closer than ever.

There are many benefits to going zero waste. Economically, it’s a lot less expensive to remanufacture a product than it is to create it from new. Secondly, it’s resulting in less space being taken up in our landfills. Landfills are valuable real estate and the space is limited in quantity so anything done to divert waste away is important. Amazingly, a lot of the positive movement towards zero waste has come from everyday Canadian households. Though producing zero trash would be difficult for any household, by doing one’s research, they can begin closing the gap by eliminating the consumption of non-recyclables and non-compostable items. A small number of Canadian households have even been able to reduce their monthly waste to almost less than a shoebox.

Thanks in large part to the Internet and social media, the zero waste community has also been growing. Advice is shared every day on blogs, several books have been published on the zero waste movement, and entire online communities have developed on sites like Facebook. Common tips shared include where to shop for the most recyclable packaging and where to recycle different materials in cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and others. Learning how to cut down one’s trash absolutely takes time however the benefits are important to remember. There’s real potential to save time and money, and to help our community by simplifying and going zero waste.

For Canadian families, it’s a fun activity learning where to shop and what to buy that is zero waste. For millennials, there’s also been shown to be strong interest into finding creative ways to reduce waste. Brands everywhere have responded very favorably to this and significant effort is being made in the corporate world to move towards a zero waste landscape. There are many online resources where more can be found out about how to participate in the zero waste movement. Some of the easiest way to do this is by eliminating single-use items from the home and following recommendations for everything from cooking oil to batteries, ink cartridges, formal marriage dresses, gift cards, and soda cans.

If you are interested in waste reduction, waste disposal, waste management, and recycling programs, please feel encouraged to contact Core Mini Bins. A representative would be happy to recommend the most appropriate waste management solutions for your home or small business. Having worked with brands across Toronto and the GTA, Core Mini Bins can help!