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First Nations Waste Minimization Program

Waste Reduction

First Nations Waste Minimization Program

Minimizing and reducing waste in your community can result in immediate environmental benefits, both locally and globally.

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Find resources to protect the land, air and water. Explore the 4 R’s of minimizing waste – Respect, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

In the Community

Starting a waste reduction program is easier to do with support from all levels – Chief, Council, landfill staff, teachers, and community members. It’s also more likely to be successful and last over time.

A few ways to build support:

1) Educate community members on how to reduce and re-use items along with what can be recycled, and why it’s important to participate. Let them know which items are hazardous and how to deal with them.

2) Make it simple and easy for people to take part in your waste reduction and recycling program, so that it gets off to a positive start. Then everyone can be proud of and share in its success.

3) Let residents know how many hazardous and recyclable materials have been collected and removed from the community, and how they have helped.

At School

Youth are most often the most enthusiastic, passionate, and propelled to take action when it comes to protecting Mother Earth. Schools provide the ideal environment for students to learn, understand, and practice how to reduce waste. One of these ways is by learning about the 7R’s of Sustainability: Respect, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Regift, and Rot (compost). As the prophesized Seventh Generation, they will lead the way at inspiring others into taking action within their communities to ensure our planet is here !

Youth can learn a variety of ways to spark change within their communities and educators can help them learn how to take action through activities such as – creating green clubs, having classroom discussions on waste reduction, learning how to live on the land, setting up composting and/or recycling at their school, and more.

Scroll down to learn about our experiences working with First Nation schools in Manitoba and how we continue to inspire children and youth into taking action on protecting Mother Aki!

At the Waste Site

Within your landfill or transfer station are a variety of materials that can or should be removed. Some are hazardous and toxic while others can be reused or recycled.

The environmental and health benefits for your community are many. There are also economic reasons, as reducing the amount of materials in your landfill will extend its life.

Benefits of Waste Management

Growing food in the community provides fresh, healthy produce and reduces the amount of food packaging waste

Protect your water from the dangers posed by hazardous wastes seeping into the ground, lakes and rivers

Keep Mother Earth healthy for future generations

Preserve the natural beauty and health of the land, water, forests and wildlife

Protect your children and all community members from toxic or hazardous materials

Make it easier to breathe by not burning plastics and other recyclables

Sharing gently used goods at low or no cost benefits everyone in the community

Reducing the amount of litter around your community and at the landfill helps everyone feel better

Reducing the amount of stuff we buy saves money, reduces waste and frees us from having to keep up with the latest trends

Plan How to Reduce Waste

When planning how to reduce waste in your community, here are a couple of ‘reality checks’ to consider. Avoid frustration later by reading these now.

first nations community residents posing near recyclables guideline poster

Recognize that you will not likely make money from recyclable materials.

There are many good reasons to safely handle and reduce waste in your community but creating revenue is not one of them.

Consider starting with collecting old cell phones, household batteries, tires or electronic waste.

While many communities want to start with residential recycling (‘blue box’), it can be challenging. The programs and materials listed above are more straightforward.