Going full circle: how you can embrace waste reduction for Circular Economy Month
Going full circle: how you can embrace waste reduction for Circular ... Atlético Ottawa
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Feature story
October is Circular Economy Month, making this the perfect time for you to explore innovative ways to minimize waste generation, learn how to give old products a new life and recycle materials.
A circular economy is an economic system designed to minimize waste and make the most of the resources we have now. Unlike a traditional linear economy, where we buy, use and discard, a circular economy promotes the continual use, re-use and recycling of products and materials. Imagine your old toys getting new life with another child, an empty soda becoming a new can or your potato peels being used to help grow new crops instead of ending up in a landfill. It’s a smart way to take care of our planet by using resources wisely and reducing garbage.
Unsure where to start? Here are a few ideas on how you can embrace waste reduction and participate in a circular economy.
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Repair and upcycle
There are ways you can prevent household objects from entering the landfill and save money at the same time. Instead of replacing broken items, try repairing them or upcycling them into something new and useful. Don’t worry if you don’t have the tools or knowledge to make the repair. The City is collaborating with Ottawa Tool Library to host a Repair Café!
Bring your broken items to the Repair Café at City Hall on Saturday, October 14 between 10 am and 3 pm. From broken vacuums to that annoying hole in your favourite sock, volunteers will do their best to help you get your item repaired and useable once more. There is no charge and no need to register in advance. To be mindful of time and space, please only bring one item for fixing. If your item is missing a piece or needs a replacement part, please bring that as well and make sure any textiles that need fixing are cleaned first.
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Reuse and regift
Ottawa has many amazing shops and markets where you can explore gently used products from furniture to clothing to designer bags. Not sure where to start? On Friday, October 20, the Annual Thrift Roadshow will be held at Jean Pigott Place in City Hall from 10 am to 12 pm. This event, led by Councillor Steve Desroches and Councillor Marty Carr, is a great way to meet members of the local thrifting community. Don’t miss the fashion show at 10:30 am! While you’re downtown, you can also stop and snap a photo with the OTTAWA sign in the ByWard market, which will be blue and green on this day to celebrate Circular Economy Month.
You’ve heard it before: one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Many communities have buy nothing groups on social media where you can gift to your neighbours items that you might otherwise throw out. And you might pick up a few free treasures of your own in the process. These groups reduce waste and promote the reuse and sharing of otherwise unwanted items
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Become BFFs with your three bins
Hands up if you were the recycling captain back in your elementary school days! Knowing which items go in which bin can help divert a lot of waste from the landfill by composting or recycling instead. If you’re not sure where a particular item goes, the City has you covered with its Waste Explorer. There you can search up common household items and learn of the best way to dispose of it.
For more tips on how to reduce waste, visit ottawa.ca/wastereduction.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse | – Number of repair cafés or similar initiatives organized – Number of broken items repaired – Amount of waste diverted from landfills through repair and upcycling initiatives |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature | – Number of educational events or campaigns on waste reduction and circular economy – Number of participants in educational events or campaigns |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment | – Amount of hazardous waste properly managed and disposed of – Reduction in the release of hazardous substances to air, water, and soil |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | – Reduction in per capita waste generation in cities – Improvement in waste management practices in cities |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article focuses on promoting a circular economy, which is aligned with SDG 12. The circular economy aims to minimize waste generation and maximize resource efficiency, which are key aspects of responsible consumption and production.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article also indirectly addresses SDG 11 by discussing waste management practices in cities and encouraging individuals to reduce their environmental impact.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse
The article encourages repair and upcycling as ways to prevent household objects from entering landfills and reduce waste generation.
Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
The article promotes awareness and education on waste reduction and the circular economy through events like the Repair Café and the Annual Thrift Roadshow.
Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, the promotion of recycling and proper waste disposal aligns with the target of achieving environmentally sound management of wastes.
Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
The article indirectly addresses this target by encouraging individuals to participate in waste reduction initiatives and improve waste management practices in cities.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but several indicators can be derived from the information provided:
– Number of repair cafés or similar initiatives organized: This indicator can measure the progress towards Target 12.5 by tracking the establishment and growth of repair cafés or similar initiatives.
– Number of broken items repaired: This indicator can assess the effectiveness of repair initiatives in reducing waste generation and promoting reuse.
– Amount of waste diverted from landfills through repair and upcycling initiatives: This indicator can measure the impact of repair and upcycling activities on waste reduction.
– Number of educational events or campaigns on waste reduction and circular economy: This indicator can track the efforts to raise awareness and promote sustainable lifestyles.
– Number of participants in educational events or campaigns: This indicator can measure the reach and engagement of educational initiatives.
– Amount of hazardous waste properly managed and disposed of: This indicator can assess progress towards Target 12.4 by monitoring the proper management and disposal of hazardous waste.
– Reduction in the release of hazardous substances to air, water, and soil: This indicator can measure the effectiveness of waste management practices in minimizing adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
– Reduction in per capita waste generation in cities: This indicator can assess progress towards Target 11.6 by tracking the reduction in waste generation per person in cities.
– Improvement in waste management practices in cities: This indicator can measure the effectiveness of waste management systems and practices in cities.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse | – Number of repair cafés or similar initiatives organized – Number of broken items repaired – Amount of waste diverted from landfills through repair and upcycling initiatives |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature | – Number of educational events or campaigns on waste reduction and circular economy – Number of participants in educational events or campaigns |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together. Source: ottawa.ca
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