It is Waste Reduction Week in Canada and the Brock community is being encouraged to learn more about everyday waste, its environmental and social impacts, and what you can do to make a difference.

From Oct. 17 to 23, Custodial Services and Food Services will host a booth in Market Hall that will feature information about recycling and composting at the University.

“Whether at home, school or work, we want people to think about how they can reduce, reuse and recycle in order to turn waste into a resource,” said Domenic Maniccia, director of Custodial Services. “It is about promoting sustainability and educating people about the opportunities that are out there to help curb wasteful practices.

“For example, in the Guernsey Market you can leave leftover food and napkins on their plates on the conveyor belt, since all of this waste is composted.”

New waste reduction initiatives at Brock this year include organic collection in lunchrooms throughout the University.

As part of this year’s awareness week, Custodial Services will also be collecting unwanted furniture on campus for recycling. It will be redeployed or given to Habitat for Humanity or Warehouse of Hope. To arrange for a pick-up contact Nadia Shaver at x4450 or custodial@brocku.ca

Other easy ways to reduce your garbage footprint at Brock include:

• use recycle paper as note pads
• place food scraps in organic bins
• rent items that are not used often
• subscribe to electronic news/journals
• recycle coffee cup lids and the coffee cup
• reduce paper use by printing on both sides
• recycle batteries and electronic equipment
• promote waste free events and conferences
• use reusable containers and drinking bottles
• say no to plastic bags and re-use an enviro-bag
• purchase durable products that can be repaired and reused

In 2009, Brock as an institution generated 1,821,111 kilograms of non-hazardous waste.

Last year, that number dropped to 1,691,432 kilograms. And of this total, 868,268 kilograms was recycled, 448,057 kilograms was composted and 18,418 kilograms was reused.

That adds up to a diversion rate of 79 per cent for Brock, which surpasses the Ministry of Environment’s target by 19 per cent.

• Brock’s Waste Diversion Quick Reference Guide
• Niagara Region’s Enviro Guide