Waste Reduction and Elimination Garbage

Waste Reduction Tips:

  • The Other R's - Many people are familiar with the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle). However, there are "other R's" that are often forgotten, but can, with a little effort, be easily incorporated into your lifestyle. Try adding a couple of the other R's to your daily routine. Every little bit counts!
    • Refuse: Say "no" to extra bags or packaging: refusing to take "overpackaging" home will send a message to manufacturers. Tip: Remember to bring your own reusable bag to carry your products in. This will make it easier to say "no" to the manufacturer's overpackaging.
    • Rot: Organic waste will decompose and turn into beautiful compost. Turn your fruits and veggies into a resource. Tip: Establishing a "kitchen catcher" for your fruits and vegetable scraps will assist in transporting the food waste to the backyard composter where it will break down and eventually turn into compost.
    • Repurpose: Many items can have another life with a different purpose. Be creative! Tip: Baby food jars can be turned into excellent storage pots for nuts and bolts in the garage or workshop.
    • Repair: Broken items can be repaired instead of thrown out. Tip: Try re-upholstering torn cushions or furniture instead of throwing them out.
    • Return: More and more products can be returned after you have used them. Tip: Return your liquor and beer bottles to The Beer Store for a refund.
    • Refill: Many shops now sell items that can be refilled. Tip: Start frequenting stores that have implemented this feature.
    • Rent - Check out your "rent-all" store for seasonal lawn and home maintenance jobs and for party supplies.
  • Avoid Disposables - We all pay a price for convenience. Use the real thing: cloth diapers, napkins, towels and handkerchiefs, rechargeable batteries, reusable plates, glasses and cutlery and other durable goods.
  • Avoid Single Servings - This is about as wasteful and expensive as it gets: more cost, more packaging, more waste. Please think hard before putting single-serving products in your shopping cart.
  • Buy in Bulk - Buying in bulk doesn't necessarily mean buying more, but it does mean buying for less. By checking out the bulk section of your supermarket, or specialized bulk stores, you'll reduce your garbage and save money too! And you'll have less packaging to carry home.
  • Buy Your Product Naked - Fruits and vegetables come in their own packaging. They don't usually need any more.
  • Recycle Unwanted Household Items - Have a Yard Sale! If that doesn't please you, then call one of the many organizations to pick up your unwanted household items or bring them to one of the many resale stores located throughout Windsor/Essex county. Recycle old household items, don't send them to the landfill.
  • Recycle Used Building Materials - Habitat Restore, A Division of Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex will collect your good usable building materials such as cabinets, doors, lighting, flooring, sinks, etc. Call 519-969-3762 or visit 3064 Devon Road for more information on this worthwhile cause.
  • Reduce Waste at Work - Treat your work place like your home: reuse, recycle and compost.
  • Help increase collection efficiency and reduce costs by putting your garbage in a common location with your neighbour. Keep all materials away from parked cars.

Public Works, Environmental Division
3540 North Service Road East
Windsor, Ontario
Canada
N8W 5X2

Phone: For general information, call 311. For detailed inquiries, call 519-974-2277 ext. 3121.
Fax: 519-944-3161
Email: pubwork@citywindsor.ca