Waste Reduction Tips and Resources

Practicing reduce and reuse, the first two Rs of the 3Rs, helps reduce the total amount of waste generated on the Sunshine Coast. Here are some ideas and resources to help reduce waste on a daily .

Click this image to watch a video on tips to help reduce! For information on reducing contamination use this link.

Share Shed at the Pender Harbour Transfer Station

Opening April 5th.

Hours of operation: Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Located here.

Accepted	Not Accepted
Children's toys	Baby/child safety items
Housewares	Clothing, fabric, textiles, beding, curtains, towels
Furniture (as space Permits)	Construction materials
Small appliances	Household hazardous waste (paint, cleaning products or fuel)
Large appliances (as space permits and neutral colous)	Mattresses
Sports Equipment	Liquids of any kind
Tools	Sofa beds

Procedure

Review the lists above for what can go in the share shed.
If you want to drop something off, line up at the scale and get approved by staff.
If you want to browse or take from the share shed, park outside the fence and walk in.

Not accepted at the share shed? See below for tips to reduce waste and visit rcbc.ca to check where it can be recycled.

Tips for Reducing Waste

1. Rethink how you shop or consume

Ask yourself if an item is truly needed.
Refuse unnecessary items (e.g. like swag, take out containers etc.).
Search for second-hand items first before buying new.
Buy quality, long-lasting and durable items.
Think Thrice about clothing purchases and look for quality clothes that are made to last.
Buy items in bulk, in concentrate or in refillable and/or recyclable packaging.

2. Repair and share

Borrow, share or rent items if possible such as tools, gardening equipment and baby gear.
Repair your items and clothes instead of buying new.
Click here for sharing and repairing options on the Coast.

3. Refuse single-use items and packaging when you can!

Bring a reusable coffee mug, water bottle and reusable bags everywhere you go.
Have your own set of reusable cutlery, chopsticks and straw for work, eating out and school.
Pack work and school lunches in reusable containers.
Host events with real dishware whenever possible and ask others to bring their own dishes.
Bring your own container to take-out restaurants and cafes and ask staff to use them.
Businesses on the coast offer refills of containers for lots of things from beer in growlers, to household cleaners to shampoos and soaps! Visit our Reuse Directory Page for ideas of where to look.

4. ‘Just say no’ to plastic in your life, as often as possible

Bring reusable shopping bags and produce bags to the grocery store and shops.
Love tap water and give a pass on bottled water.
Cover leftover food with beeswax wrap or plates or put in reusable containers, instead of using plastic cling wrap.
Refuse to buy products that come in un-recyclable plastic packaging.
Learn what plastic is and isn’t recyclable. Check out the SCRD Guide to Depot Recycling for what's accepted.

5. Reduce paper use

Minimize junk mail by leaving a note for Canada Post on your mailbox. Instructions are here.
Use one-sided paper for notes and rough copies, share and edit documents online and set the printer default to double-side at home and at work.
Change to paperless e-bills. The SCRD has this option for utility bills and dog licence invoices at www.scrd.ca/myscrd
Use cloth rags and hand towels instead of paper towels.
Buy paper that has a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content.
Switch to e-subscriptions for magazines and newspapers.

Resources

Story of Stuff
Clean Bin Project Movie
Minimalism – A Documentary about the Important Things
A Plastic Ocean - documentary
David Suzuki - Queen of Green
Zero Waste Home
PareDown
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Clothes Aren't Garbage
Tips for Sustainability at Home
What and How to Recycle
Sustainable Wedding Guide: How to Plan an Eco-Friendly Wedding
Guide to Eco-Friendly Downsizing and Minimalist Living