Pine Creek First Nation has a new waste transfer station and is actively working to divert waste and recyclables.

In cooperation with the First Nations Waste Minimization Team (FNWM) at Green Action Centre and Pine Creek First Nation (PCFN), the FNWM team hosted a couple of events on November 22-23, 2021 in the community, where residents were able to participate in a 4R Bingo (Respect, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to learn about which items can be diverted from the landfill at their transfer station. Community members shared a meal and had a chance to ask questions of the Transfer Station Operator. The following day, they hosted school presentations for Grades 5-12 to highlight the importance of protecting mother earth and how the waste transfer station works.

The FNWM Pathfinders travelled to Pine Creek in January 2022 to conduct a waste habits survey in the community to help start up a new recycling program. They, along with two landfill staff, went door-to-door handing out pamphlets and surveys, which were later dropped off at the band office or picked up. Community members who completed and handed in the surveys were then placed into a draw for 4 Indigenous-themed prizes.

By that time, Pine Creek’s new transfer station was completed but still in its infancy and unused. When the Pathfinders returned to the community in the spring of 2022, the transfer station was open and being used by community members. Transfer station staff participated in online training and attended in-person training at conferences to improve their skills and learn how other First Nations in Manitoba are addressing waste in their communities.

The FNWM team will be screen-printing reusable bags / t-shirts at Pine Creek’s Treaty Days on Monday, July 18, 2022. Feel free to come by and participate. Our team will be on hand to answer any questions about reducing waste and recycling.