Saugeen Peninsula Reduces Waste BYO Pilot Project

In 2022, the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula developed a Climate Action plan with five pillars. Wipe Out Waste is one of those pillars and expected to directly impact emissions reduction across all five pillars. Waste reduction is something everyone can contribute toward.

For three years, Peninsula Bruce Trail Club (PBTC) and Sources of Knowledge (SoK) have engaged community volunteers to collect data about litter found on our hiking trails, trail access points and in our water. The top two littered items are cigarette butts and food and beverage related containers/pieces of containers – both on local trails/trail access points and harbours.

Plastic food and beverage containers and wrap comprised about 86% of all plastic (~32% of total litter) collected while other food and beverage items collected added another ~ 8%.

Inspired by Canada Reduces and Owen Sound Reduces Waste, PBTC and SoK are launching a pilot project which offers FREE merchant window decals for local businesses who want to show their support for reducing unnecessary waste in our community.  Share your success stories and inspire others to do the same!  Proudly display one of these FREE window stickers to show you care!

Show You Care to Reduce!

Encouraging your customers to bring their own containers is a great first step to reducing carbon emission linked to the production, transport and post-use handling of these items AND save money you spend on purchasing them.

 

How to sign up? It’s as simple as 1-2-3

  1. Identify what you will/already do to reduce waste in your business.
  2. Meet with us to share your story about how you are reducing waste. Contact Marg: pbtcoutreach@gmail.com. Or, Owen: owenglendon@me.com
  3. Proudly display the FREE window decal and encourage customers to support your BYO actions!

Together, our community can reduce waste! Saugeen Peninsula Reduces Waste promotes businesses which permit customers to bring their own containers.

 

References:

  1. NBP Climate Action Plan 2022-2030
  2. Hike It! Love It! Keep It Clean! 2023 Summary
  3. Sources of Knowledge: Inspector Seabin

 

 You’ve Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

 Q: Why should I bother participating in this pilot project?

More and more, consumers are moving towards less waste. That’s because media coverage is increasing about the growing problem of excessive single-use plastic and food packaging and its impact on the environment (both related carbon emissions and post-use handling issues). Implementation of The Single-Use Plastic Prohibition (Dec. 2022-23) is also making changes to the way merchants provide their products.

 The goal of this project is to highlight the work being done in our community to reduce single-use plastics and packaging by local merchants.

THE REASON: The plastic we use and throw away everyday is poisoning the planet. Plastic garbage can be found everywhere, including as microscopic pieces in our food and water. This is because plastic does not decompose*, it only breaks down into smaller pieces. Plastic packaging is almost always new plastic, and we produce more of it than we can recycle. The good news is, much of the plastic we use can be avoided. One easy way for everyone to do their part is to minimize single-use plastic by using reusable containers such as coffee cups, water bottles, string bags for produce, cloth bags for bread and bulk food, reusable containers for takeout food and deli items such as meat, fish and cheese and of course a reusable shopping bag.

 Q: How can I be part of the Saugeen Peninsula Reduces Waste team?

Allow and encourage customers to bring their take-away containers. Highlight other things your business is doing to reduce single-use plastic and packaging waste.

Q: What happens when I join?

You will be asked to display the “BYO” (Bring Your Own) sticker at your door to let customers know they are welcome to bring their own containers when they shop. We’ll promote your waste reduction efforts on our online platforms.

 Q: What else can I do to minimize my waste?

  • Offer incentives for people to bring their own bags/reusable containers
  • Reduce food waste and donate unpurchased products/left over food
  • Offer more plant-based options on your menu
  • Purchase from suppliers who use minimal packaging
  • Reduce your display packaging and unnecessary wrapping
  • Sell more reusable products
  • Promote the environmentally friendly products you offer
  • Offer sustainable products (e.g., local food items and consignment items)
  • Any other great ideas you are willing to implement – let us know, and we’ll share them on Peninsula Bruce Trail Club and Sources of Knowledge websites and social media.