Media Advisory - All Winnipeg Media - October 23, 2002

"2002 Waste Reduction Week Champions" applauded

A community video production, a new green building, a water conservation pilot, and a major recycling program expansion have been singled out for honours by organizers of Waste Reduction Week in Manitoba. Resource Conservation Manitoba, a community environmental group, has announced awards to four Waste Reduction Week Champions. Waste Reduction Week in Manitoba (October 21-27) is a part of a national campaign to raise awareness about resource consumption, conservation and waste.

Named by RCM as 'champions' for 2002:

* Town of Roblin: Former councillor and deputy mayor Dale Yeo produced a 53-minute video that takes viewers behind the scenes at the community's recycling depot. The video explains the importance of recycling and shows how materials are prepared for shipment to markets. The low-budget production, which officials credit for contributing to an increase in the collection of recyclables, is being broadcast on community television twice a day during Waste Reduction Week.

* Mountain Equipment Co-op: The company's new Winnipeg store has incorporated some 75 per cent of the materials recovered from two old buildings that formerly occupied the site, diverting a huge amount of material from landfill to productive use. MEC also designed the structure to optimize energy efficiency, reduce waste and avoid pollution. Water conservation systems, composting toilets, and use of low toxicity materials help to minimize the environmental impact of the store - one of the two greenest retail buildings in Canada.

* Pembina Trails School Division: In partnership with Manitoba Hydro, Pembina Trails has launched a Power Smart program to reduce water and energy use in division facilities. A pilot involving installation of water reduction devices at five schools has cut consumption by 70 per cent. On the basis of the pilot experience, water utility costs at the five schools are projected to drop significantly - from over $50,000 to less than $15,000 in total per year.

* City of Winnipeg: Winnipeg's Water and Waste Department initiated a recycling program for apartment and condominium residents on November 1, 2001. In the first six months of 2002, collection of recyclable materials increased by 15 per cent, and the City has set an ambitious goal of recovering some 31,800 tonnes of recyclables in 2002.

Many Manitoba communities are making excellent progress in waste reduction, RCM notes. These 2002 champions are great examples to others, and deserve credit for their commitment to resource conservation.

MORE INFORMATION
Iain Whitaker, Manitoba WRW Co-ordinator 925-3772 or wrw@resourceconservation.mb.ca

WASTE REDUCTION WEEK 2002 WEB SITE
LOG ON AT: www.resourceconservation.mb.ca