There are many ways to show love to the plant from home, including learning more about the importance of reducing waste.

October 19-25 is Waste Reduction Week – a week to evaluate areas in our lives that are producing the most waste, and find ways to reduce. This Waste Reduction Week, why not spend an evening cozying up at home while watching a documentary about reducing your waste?

The Green Action Centre team has compiled some videos and documentaries for you to watch on your own, with your family, or with your roommates. It is not an exhaustive list, so feel free to explore alternatives via a platform that works for you. We would love to hear what you find.

A Plastic Ocean

“In the center of the Pacific Ocean gyre researchers found more plastic than plankton. A Plastic Ocean documents the newest science, proving how plastics, once they enter the oceans, break up into small particulates that enter the food chain where they attract toxins like a magnet.” Watch on Netflix, or buy/rent it on iTunes. Check out the Plastic Oceans website for additional resources including an Education & Discussion Guide perfect for at-home learning.

The Clean Bin Project

Follow partners Jen and Grant in their friendly competition to see who produces less waste. Rent the film on Vimeo and/or visit the Clean Bin Project website to learn more.

Wasted! The Story of Food Waste

“Anthony Bourdain, and other celebrity chefs, help solve the problem of food waste as one-third of all food grown for human consumption ends up in the garbage.” Watch the documentary for free on CBC Docs.

The Story of Stuff

“From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.” There is a discussion guide on the Story of Stuff website for additional learning, as well as numerous other short, informative videos. To watch The Story of Stuff in French, click here.

The Story of Plastic

“The Story of Plastic takes a sweeping look at the [human]-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it.” Check out one of the virtual screenings currently planned, or host your own for free.

How fast fashion adds to the world’s clothing waste problem

Fast fashion is a major contributor to the world’s clothing waste problem. Many of us give our old clothes to charity or drop them in a store take-back bin, but you might be surprised to learn most of it is sold and can end up in the landfill.