6 ways to be a waste diversion leader

Waste is the third largest source of emissions contributing to climate change in Toronto.

In an effort to remedy this, the city is implementing the Long Term Waste Management Strategy, which aims to divert 70 per cent of Toronto’s waste from landfills by 2026. This moves the city towards a circular economy and a zero waste future.

Apartment and condo buildings are a very important part of the Waste Strategy since over 50 per cent of Toronto’s population live in them. However, only 28 per cent of waste generated in condos is diverted compared to 66 per cent of waste in single family homes.

So what can you do to help divert and reduce waste? Small changes in your habits help, but you can also help motivate people to do the same at work, school and in your community.

Here are six ways to make a difference in your apartment or condo building, presented in partnership with Global News Toronto.

We're accepting applications for our Waste Reduction Community Grants until March 1, 2019. The waste grants are just one way the City of Toronto is helping to #TransformTO & leading the fight against climate change.

Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

The 2019 edition of the Canada Food Guide revolutionizes our preconceived notions about our relationship with food. The Guide calls for a major shift towards plant-based diets, de-emphasizing meat as a source of protein.

The new Canada Food Guide makes sense - not just for your health, but also for our planet.

The Guide was released hot on the heels of a major, global scientific study from the EAT-Lancet Commission written by 30 leading scientists from across the globe. The report promotes "the planetary health diet" and reinforces the approach of the Canada Food Guide.

Why go plant-based?

1. Your health. Research has proven that eating a plant-based diet can help prevent Type 2 diabetes, lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, improve heart health, and lead to healthier skin.

2. The environment. Greenhouse gas emissions – the leading cause of climate change – per gram of beef or lamb protein are approximately 250x those of legumes. Another way to think of this is that twenty servings of vegetables have fewer greenhouse gas emissions than one serving of beef.

“Intensive meat production is on an unstoppable trajectory comprising the single greatest contributor to climate change…” – EAT-Lancet Report

Want to get a clearer picture of the environmental impact of your favourite foods? Check out this handy tool from BBC News.

3. Your pocketbook. Generally, plant-based proteins cost less than meat, which means more money in your pocket. In fact, some research has shown that vegetarians can save upwards of $750 per year compared to meat-eaters.

Resources

Incorporating more plant-based proteins into your diet may seem like a daunting task, but keep in mind that it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Even going plant-based one day a week will make a difference. To get you started, visit our Pinterest page for lots of tasty and simple recipe ideas. Be sure you check out our #LocalDishTO recipe boards while you're there. And, did you know that we curated kid-approved recipes in our Make It Local recipe book? Finally, check out the Toronto Vegetarian Association website for lots of resources, including their 7-Day Veggie Challenge.

It's time to rethink our relationship with food. Visit livegreentoronto.ca to find out how.

Wild North Flowers

Today we are talking to Jennifer Fowlow from the Wild North Flowers, a member of the Live Green Perks program.



Why should a consumer choose your products or services over mainstream/non-green florists?
Our studio uses solely Ontario grown flowers to create custom floral arrangements while supporting local growers and farmers.

What are the most popular eco-friendly gifts people can buy from your shop?
Our floral arrangements!

Why is being green important to you?
As a small business we have complete control over our eco-footprint and are constantly finding new ways to be as green as possible. In the floral industry there is lots of waste and at Wild North one of our main goals is to be innovative in our green efforts.

What does your business offer as a Live Green Perk?

We offer 10%-off your order. Learn more

Live Green Perks: hundreds of deals on everything from coffee to kayaks. Download the free app today!

Lovbird Design

Owner: Maureen Bradshaw

Today we are talking to Maureen Bradshaw from the Lovbird Design, a member of the Live Green Perks program.



Why should a consumer choose your products over non-green options?
My shirts are made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and with eco-friendly dyes.

What are the most popular eco-friendly gifts people can buy from your shop?
The Let Go long sleeve t-shirt and the Laugh Like Buddha t-shirt.

Why is being green important to you?
When farmers spray cotton with pesticides, it makes the people and animals in the area very sick.

What does your business offer as a Live Green Perk?
15 per cent off your online order. Learn more

Live Green Perks: hundreds of deals on everything from coffee to kayaks. Download the free app today!

Toronto Tool Library & Sharing Depot

Lead: Emily Charles-Donleson

Today we are talking to Emily Charles-Donleson from the Toronto Tool Library & Sharing Depot, a member of the Live Green Perks program.

Why should a consumer choose your products or services over a mainstream/non-green option?

Borrowing from a library of things is a convenient way to get access to the things you need without the price tag or the clutter, all while lessening your environmental footprint. To use a drill as an example, according to research into tool use, the average drill is used for just 13 minutes in its useable lifespan. The rest of the time, it sits depreciating in basements, garages or storage units. When we think about the rare earth minerals, materials and other resources that get used up in the process of making and distributing that drill, it seems like a colossal waste to have every house on the block or unit in a building storing a drill that is only needed for occasional use. Not to mention the waste of money and space in our homes involved in purchasing and storing such items. The Toronto Tool Library frees people from having to purchase things to own and instead gives them access to tools, camping gear, board games, event supplies, children’s toys and sports equipment when they need them. We handle the storage and the maintenance of the inventory so people can focus on experiences rather than stuff. People borrow from our library because they want to live in a clutter-free home, they want to save money, they want to support their community, and they want to ensure a planet for future generations to come. The revolution will not be bought, it will be borrowed.

What are the most popular eco-friendly gifts people can buy from your shop?

People can purchase a membership for friends and family to the Toronto Tool Library & Sharing Depot, encouraging them to shift their behaviour away from the consumption of new products towards sharing as a community. Workshops taught in our Makerspace can also be purchased as gifts and many of these revolve around upcycling materials and zero waste alternatives to disposable products. Another popular gift item is to purchase time with one of our expert 'Tool Ninjas' who will do one-on-one training in tool use or walk someone through building a project.

Why is being green important to you?

As a culture, we are becoming increasingly aware that the individual consumption of products connected to the infinite growth model of economics is at the heart of many of our environmental issues. Recent research has suggested that household consumption is responsible for 60 to 80 per cent of the impacts on our planet. Do we really need to own all the things we buy, or is there a way to share stuff we only need access to occasionally as a community? Do we really need the stuff or the use of the stuff? The Toronto Tool Library & Sharing Depot is our solution to those questions. Now with three locations around the city, we launched our lending libraries as an opportunity to reimagine our relationship with the things we use. By borrowing instead of buying, people are changing their behaviour around the consumption of products, simultaneously saving money and lessening their environmental footprint. Why buy tools, camping gear, board games, children’s toys, event supplies and sports equipment you will only use occasionally when you can share it all together as a community through the Toronto Tool Library & Sharing Depot? We launched these lending libraries as a way to help people understand: I do not need a drill, I need a hole in the wall. Experiences > stuff.

What does your business offer as a Live Green Perk?

10 per cent off Toronto Tool Library & Sharing Depot membership fee, $100 Makerspace initiation fee. Learn more

Live Green Perks: hundreds of deals on everything from coffee to kayaks. Download the free app today!