ReThink Red Deer

Garbage-Free February 2012 Kick-off

Location: Red Deer College - Margaret Parsons Theatre

Tuesday January 31st, 2012
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Hosted by ReThink Red Deer & RDC Green Campus 

This event is open to the general public (no cost).

Now in its sixth year, Garbage-Free February is back to lead the charge towards zero waste living!

To celebrate this occasion, the month of February will hereforth be known by official Mayoral decree as "Garbage-Free February"! Mayor Morris will join us to sign the official proclamation and kick off the 2012 promotion. Also joining us will be the Honorable Cal Dallas, Minister of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations and MLA for Red Deer-South, AND representatives from the Recycling Council of Alberta!

The evening will feature presentations on:
 

Triple StaRs Waste Reduction Challenge (St. Martin de Porres - Grade Four students)

Each year, this program offered in partnership with Alberta Environment (and Water) to raise awareness of Waste Reduction Week (WRW), encourages grade 4 students from across Alberta to find practical ways to reduce their classroom waste. This Challenge was designed to easily fit into regular classroom planning with its link to the Waste In Our World curriculum component. For one week in October (preferably WRW), students collect and sort the waste generated in their classroom. At the end of the week students record what was collected and decide how to reduce the amount of waste that will go to the landfill. Most classes identify a huge potential for reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills – the average in 2011 was 67%. Classes then choose actions that they will commit to for the rest of the school year that will reduce the amount of waste the class generates or sends to the landfill.
 

The City of Red Deer Waste Managament Master Plan (WMMP)
Now that the City’s Environmental Master Plan is complete, Environmental Services staff are working to complete an update of the WMMP, which will set the strategic direction for The City’s Waste Management programs for the next 10 years. Janet Whitesell (Waste Services Superintendent) will speak about the mandate and current programs of City of Red Deer Waste Services including the success of adding recycling of asphalt shingles and gypsum drywall to diversion programs in 2011. We'll also hear about future direction for waste management in Red Deer for 2012 and beyond.
 

Composting at Home Education and Promotion
Lauren Maris of City of Red Deer Environmental Services will speak about a new City-led program aimed at giving Red Deerians the tools to compost their organic waste at home.
 

And we'll wrap-up (if time permits) with a screening of the film "Waste = Food", an amazing story that will definitely change your way of thinking about production and consumption.... followed by a look into ReThink Red Deer's zero-waste projects for 2012!