Last week, we focused on recycling our plastics that we were unable to reduce or reuse. Our final ‘R’ in the cycle of going plastic-free and/or zero-waste is Rot, also known as composting. While plastics typically cannot be composted, this ‘R’ can apply to contents found within the plastics that may remain after use.

Many items can be composted that you may not be aware of! Some of them are listed below, but as always, if you do not know where to dispose of an item, simply check out our Waste Wizard for disposal methods on campus. If live within the City of Ottawa, they also have their own for waste disposal off-campus.

Composting at home is easy! You can find countertop compostable bins at most stores for your home or office. If you’re feeling adventurous and have the space at home, you can buy (or even DIY) your own composter and use it to help with your gardening!

Some common items that can be composted at 杏吧原创 University are:

• Food waste (apple cores, banana peels, chicken bones, etc.)
• Coffee grounds & filters
• Eggs and egg shells
• Tissues
• Paper towels and napkins
• Leftover fat and oil
• Paper straws
• Popcorn bag
• Paper take-out container
• Teabags (without the plastic)

Last week, we focused on reusing and upcycling single-use plastics you may have. Now, let’s talk about the next step – recycling those plastics that you can’t refuse or reuse. Recycling goes beyond simply discarding items into the right recycling streams; it also involves giving them a second chance through donations. Meaning Recycling and Reuse can be seen as closely related.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when recycling:

1. Share with Family and Friends: Before you recycle, check with family and friends if they could use the items. Sometimes, others may find a good use for those single-use plastics or plastic items in general.
2. Donate to Local Charities: If the plastic items are still in good condition, consider donating them to local charities. They might be able to find new homes for these items and extend their lifespan.
3. Retailer Take-Back Programs: Check if any of the retailers from whom you purchased plastic-packaged items have take-back programs for their packaging, such as plastic bottles. Participating in these programs can help ensure proper recycling.
4. Follow Local Recycling Guidelines: It’s essential to sort your plastics into the correct waste stream based on local recycling guidelines. This ensures effective recycling and minimizes contamination.

If you’re at 杏吧原创 University, make use of our Waste Wizard tool to find the correct disposal method for the items you wish to recycle. If you live in the City of Ottawa, they have a similar tool on their website for city-wide recycling guidelines, but keep in mind that some rules may differ from those at 杏吧原创.

By incorporating these recycling tips, you’re contributing to a more sustainable future. Remember, Plastic-Free July is about making small changes that collectively create a significant positive impact on our environment. Let’s continue working together to reduce plastic waste and build a better world.

The 5 R’s are interconnected and often represented as a circular guide, as seen on the left. This means some tips provided can be used interchangeably between the R’s and may be repeated. Last week, we discussed reducing the amount of single-use plastics consumed. Now we’ll look at the next step – reusing the plastics that you have that were unable to be refused or reduced. This is often done by upcycling plastics you already own to extend their lifecycle, or by simply using reusable alternatives to disposable products.

Check out these tips below on ways you can reuse plastics:

Make a Garden

Use plastic bottles to make a hanging garden or mount them on a wall. All you need is plastic bottles, scissors, twine, and a place to hang or mount them. You can even reuse more plastics by using yogurt containers to start the seedlings, poking drainage holes in the bottom and using a plastic lid to catch the drips, then just transfer them to your plastic bottle planters!

Save Your Floors

Do you rent your home or apartment or want to save your floors? Or have those late-night urges to just re-arrange your entire room? Try using plastic lids underneath the furniture to help prevent scratches and allow them to easily slide across the floor.

听

Keep Your Pets Occupied

Do you have a dog or puppy that loves to chew? Try making them a water bottle toy! This may not last long for those who are intense chewers, but for others, it can be a fun, low-cost toy to keep them occupied while you get things done around the house! Simply take an empty plastic water bottle (remove the cap!) and place it into an old sock and tie off the open end. Then watch as they enjoy their new, crunchy chew toy!

听

Bread Tags and Their Many Uses

Did you know bread tags can be used for much more than keeping your bags of bread shut? Some other ways they can be used are as wine glass tags, power cord labels, marking the end of a tape roll, and even as a wired earbuds holder (even though I am sure most people have wireless earbuds nowadays).听

听

Swap those disposables for reusables!

Another way to reuse is by seeking out reusable alternatives to those disposable items we all buy. Check out the list below for some ways you can make the switch from disposable and reusable:

• Dish sponge – try cotton cloths instead
• Tea bags – look for loose tea leaves instead, you can even find cute infusers for them
• Coffee pods – try a French press instead
• Plastic cling wrap – store leftovers in a reusable container or try beeswax wraps
• Plastic water bottles – use a reusable water bottle instead
• and so much more!

The 5 R’s are interconnected and often represented as a circular guide, as seen on the left. This means some tips provided can be used interchangeably between the R’s and may be repeated. Last week, we discussed refusing single-use plastics. Now we’ll look at the next step –听 reducing plastics you already have or can’t refuse. This can involve minimizing your belongings by donating or selling items you no longer need, or simply avoiding overconsumption by purchasing only what you truly require.

Below are some effective ways to reduce single-use plastics:

Declutter

Take a look at the things around you and let go of what no longer brings you joy. No, we aren’t talking about the extreme Marie Kondo method, but rather going through that pile of clothes in the back of your closet that you haven’t touched in years. Go through your cabinets and dig out those unused appliances hidden in the back corners or the collections of mini-shampoo bottles from your travels that you swear you’ll use one day.

Reduce the amount of plastic in your home by giving these items a second chance with someone else instead of throwing them away. You can donate them, sell them on online marketplaces, or join your local Buy Nothing Facebook group to give them to members of your local community for free.

Spending Freeze

We’ve all been guilty of impulse buying. The next time you see something you want, ask yourself if you really need it now or if it can wait. If it isn’t a necessary purchase, try waiting a week or even a month, and you might find that you no longer desire that item.

Quality over Quantity

While some products may seem cheaper initially, they may break down easily and require frequent replacement. By reducing your purchases and investing in higher-quality items, you can save money in the long run. Each small action counts, and together, we can make a significant change.

One example of reducing single-use plastics is by using beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap. At first glance, plastic wrap may appear cheaper for covering leftovers, making it the go-to choice for most shoppers. However, beeswax wraps can be reused multiple times, more uses than a single roll of plastic wrap. Beeswax wraps serve a variety of purposes beyond covering bowls of leftovers. They can also be used to wrap sandwiches and snacks, providing a plastic-free alternative to sandwich bags.

Beeswax wraps can be purchased at many local retailers, or if you’re in the DIY mood you can !

Shop in Bulk or at Farmers’ Markets

Opt for stores that allow you to purchase food in bulk or visit local farmers’ markets. These options provide a great opportunity to go plastic-free from the source. You might already know about Bulk Barn, but there are other local stores in Ottawa, such as or , that offer bulk/zero-waste shopping. Students can also consider sharing items like a jug of laundry detergent with friends or using stores like terra20, where you can bring your own container and fill it with the exact amount you need, avoiding wasted product upon move-out.听

Stay tuned for next week’s post, where we will explore the third “R” – Reuse. We’ll go through some cool tips for ways to reuse and repurpose plastics that you haven’t been able to refuse or reduce!

To learn more and take the Plastic-Free July pledge, visit our webpage, the Plastic Free July Challenge.

Here are some effective ways to refuse single-use plastics:

1. Bottles of water: Instead of buying or accepting free bottled water, bring your own reusable water bottle. Not only will this save you money, but it will also keep you hydrated while reducing plastic waste.
2. Pre-packaged produce and meats: Choose produce that isn’t pre-packaged in plastic. You can even bring your own reusable produce bags to keep them separate from other groceries. Look for delis and butchers that use paper packaging, and consider visiting local farmers markets for plastic-free produce and meats.
3. Single-use plastics (cutlery, straws, take-out containers): Despite recent efforts to ban single-use plastics, they are still prevalent. When dining out, opt for dine-in options or bring your own reusable cutlery and straws. Some establishments even allow you to use your own take-out containers, reducing plastic waste further.
4. Coffee cups: Instead of using disposable coffee cups (which often can’t be recycled due to wax lining), bring your own reusable mug or cup. Many places offer discounts for bringing your own, or take a moment to sit down and enjoy your drink at the caf茅.
5. Plastic wrap: Instead of reaching for plastic cling wrap, consider alternative options like reusable containers or beeswax wraps to store leftovers. These options are not only environmentally friendly but also keep your food fresh.

Refusing single-use plastics is a powerful step towards a plastic-free lifestyle. By saying no to unnecessary plastic items, you can make a positive impact on the environment. Remember, each small action counts, and together, we can create a significant change. Stay tuned for next week’s post, where we will explore the second “R” – Reduce. Let’s continue our journey towards a sustainable and plastic-free future!

To learn more and take the Plastic-Free July pledge, visit our webpage, Plastic Free July Challenge.

Road Ravens – 杏吧原创’s Let’s Bike team

Let’s Bike Month kicks off with the opportunity to join the 杏吧原创 team, Road Ravens, on . This friendly competition encourages members of the 杏吧原创 community to commute by bike and track their progress. Participants can log their bike rides and get entered to win some exciting prizes, fostering a sense of camaraderie and motivation to choose cycling as a sustainable commuting option. Join the team .

Free Cycling Workshop

Healthy Workplace is also working with Envirocentre to host a cycling workshop, Discover Your City by Bike, on June 19th. This workshop will help inspire your next adventure by sharing some bikeable destinations in Ottawa that you may not be aware of and some top route planning tips. This workshop is for people of all ages and cycling abilities. The workshop is free, but registration is needed. Sign-up here.

Free Bike Tune-Ups

Sustainability 杏吧原创 will also host a day of free bike tune-ups for faculty, staff, and students on campus. Come by and let them look at your bike, give you qualified advice, and give your bike a quick summer tune-up so you can take advantage of the many cycling paths Ottawa has to offer! We anticipate a lot of interest in this event, so registration will be required. We will draw names at random from the list of registrants. Stay tuned to our website and socials for more details and information about registration for the event.

And More!

In addition to these activities, we will also share some cycling tools and tips throughout the month to help encourage this sustainable transportation option.听

Let’s Bike Month at 杏吧原创 serves as a reminder of the university’s dedication to sustainability and its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. By embracing cycling and encouraging the community to adopt active transportation, 杏吧原创 aims to inspire long-lasting habits that contribute to a greener and healthier future.

To learn more about Let’s Bike Month and get involved in the various activities, visit 杏吧原创 University’s Sustainability website.听Together, let’s pedal towards a more sustainable future!

Try a plant based burger

• It’s estimated plant-based meat uses 41 percent less land than fish farming, 77 percent less land than poultry, 82 percent less land than pig farming, 89 percent less than beef from dairy cows, and a whopping 98 percent less land than beef from beef herds
• According to a report from the Good Food Institute, in comparison to conventional beef, an Impossible Burger reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 89 percent.

Opt for gas instead of charcoal

• Gas produces far less Carbon Dioxide as a by-product of cooking than charcoal, with a study showing that gas produced nearly half the amount of Carbon Dioxide per hour as traditional charcoal. Even with gas being derived from fossil fuels, it is better for the planet emissions-wise than charcoal

Don’t use single-use plates and cutlery

• Always avoid buying single use food products when barbecuing. If going to your friends or family and you don’t know what they have, bring your own!

Chose glass over aluminum drinks

• While aluminum cans are available everywhere and seem like a good choice, they use a lot of plastic in their shipping processes. Glass bottle are less resource intensive than aluminum cans and can be recycled easily.

Curious to learn more?

• Plastic free July Website

If global food loss and waste were a country, it would be the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world. In Canada, nearly 60 per cent of food produced is lost or wasted each year, which is equivalent to 35.5 million tonnes of food wasted. As a result, a staggering 56.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions are created by food waste each year!

Let us all work together in reducing our carbon footprint. Here are some tips you can follow to help you reduce your food waste, save money, and protect the environment.

How to get started…

1. Shop smart.
   Before grocery shopping, plan your meals ahead of time. Write a shopping list and stick to it. Avoid overbuying as this can result in food waste. Tip: If available, consider buying “ugly” produce that is usually left behind at the grocery store but is still safe to eat. “Ugly” produce often have slight blemishes and can sometimes be found at discounted prices. You can use this for smoothies and soups and you won’t be able to tell the difference!
2. First In, First Out (FIFO). Follow the FIFO Rule: First In, First Out, an effective system for storing and rotating food. Reduce the amount of food being wasted by putting items with the soonest best before date at the front and place items with furthest dates at the back. FIFO helps reduce food waste by keeping older food from being shoved at the back where it can often be forgotten or overlooked.
   
3. Freeze the extra. Use your freezer to store most foods until you are ready to eat them. Some foods you can freeze are meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, bread, cooked rice and pasta, flour, sauces & stocks. Check Government of Canada’s recommended food storage tips .
   
4. Get creative with your food scraps! Here are some clever ways to use food scraps:
   • Start a scrap garden. Re-grow your vegetables from scraps. Cut off the plant’s base about 1 inch tall. Place it cut side up in a container halfway with water and place it by a sunny window and watch it grow! Some vegetables you can re-grow are romaine lettuce, celery, green onions, bok choy, garlic, leeks, onions, and carrots.
   • Make a broth with leftover food scraps.听You can save peelings, stalks, and leaves. Some key ingredients for broth are onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Make sure to wash your vegetables before using the scraps and place them in your freezer.
     
5. Find useful resources such as the Flashfood App. For example, Flashfood听is a free app that finds discounted food from a grocery store near you. It helps grocery stores divert waste from the landfill by offering big discounts on food nearing its best-before date, and it helps consumers save money on food!
   
6. Compost! Use the City of Ottawa green bin for organics collection or start your own compost pile to use for your garden. Composting leftover food is beneficial for the environment as it turns food waste into energy for plants.
   
7. Have extra food you don’t need? Consider donating your extra supply of packaged food to a local food bank or food drive. Local food banks in Ottawa: and

Curious to learn more?

杏吧原创’s Mission to Reduce Food Waste

Canada鈥檚 largest food rescue organization, , developed an online platform known as听 that connects businesses with excess unsold food to local social service organisations who will put it to great use!

has utilized FoodRescue.ca to establish recurring weekly donations for items such as all of our unsold to-go Express meals. Through FoodRescue.ca, 杏吧原创 Dining has been able to keep over a thousand equivalent meals out of the compost bin and instead into the hands of people who need them most.

Organizations who focus on rescuing food waste:

• – Canada’s largest food rescue charity. They recover nutritious, unsold good and redistribute it to a network of social service organizations.
• – A voluntary organization in Ottawa that takes care of all the food people cannot sell or use anymore. Their volunteers pick up unwanted food to share it with the Foodsharing network: “Share it – Don’t toss it!”
• – Did you know in Ottawa there are 17,400 fruit and nut trees that go unharvested every year? Hidden Harvest Ottawa helps connect tree owners with volunteer harvesters and shares it with those in need in the community. You can volunteer to help harvest trees or if you own a food-bearing tree that you are interested in sharing the harvest, find more information .

Sources:

鹿Nikkel, L., Maguire, M., Gooch, M., Bucknell, D., LaPlain, D., Dent, B., Whitehead, P., Felfel, A. (2019). The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste: Roadmap; Second Harvest and Value Chain Management International; Ontario, Canada

This gallery of submissions to the Time for Nature photo contest spotlights various ways to take time for nature encouraging and inspiring us to build greater awareness and concern for the natural environment. Now more than ever is an important time to reflect on the role of nature in our lives and the ways in which we can create positive change for the environment.

1. Explore nature’s designs.听
   

Look carefully at the world around you and you will begin to notice that nature is filled with many different types of natural designs and patterns. Nature is the best designer weaving incredible, intricate patterns ranging from symmetries, spirals, waves, to tesselations and many more.

“There is so much beauty to be found in the intricate and detailed patterns of nature, and this has been a comfort in these pandemic times. Here are a few colourful explosions of Springtime beauty.”

– Kate Higginson, from The Institute for Comparative Studies in Literature, Art and Culture (ICSLAC)

2. Experience birdwatching.

Birdwatching, the observation of birds in their natural habitat, is a popular nature activity that allows us to learn more about the natural environment. Birdwatching allows us to enhance our connection with nature while also taking part in a fun and educational activity. If you would like to get started in birdwatching, read our tips here.

“Apparently the recent pandemic has led to an increase in people having a greater interest in nature and the hobby of bird watching. That is great news for nature lovers. The 杏吧原创 campus and the surrou颅颅nding areas of Hog’s Back Park, Vincen颅t Massey Park, National Arboretum, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, etc., are all great spots to head out with your binoculars and camera to check on the local feathered fauna!

Here are just a couple of recent pictures taken on the 杏吧原创 Campus and the surrounding area this spring. The Great Blue Heron was in the Rideau River at 杏吧原创 (you can see the buildings reflected in the background). The other pictures are of a male Indigo Bunting, perhaps one of the most beautiful little birds found in Canada during spring/summer), as well as a Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk.”

– Ian Maclatchy, Biology Alumni

3. Mindful stargazing.

Observe the night sky and spot constellations, stars, planets and the Milky Way. Photo by: Benjamin Heron

Looking up at the stars can be a practice of mindfulness and gratitude during turbulent times like the pandemic. When we bring awareness to the present moment and look up at the majestic and star-filled sky, we become aware of the existence of ourselves within this vast universe, allowing us to put our personal worries into perspective. Start exploring the sky with these .

“Long exposure images offer views of the motion of heavenly bodies through time. This was shot at Ottawa’s Prince of Wales Bridge. This image is a two-hour exposure, showing the arcs of the stars as the earth rotates. When the photo was taken, light pollution from the cities restricted what was visible to the eye to only four stars. However, a camera on a tripod can reveal hidden realities. Photography brings us closer to the cosmos.”

– Benjamin Heron, Master of Architecture

4.听 Connect with nature in urban settings.

There is nature all around the city. Find nature everywhere — and create more of it. Plant a pollinator garden to help restore biodiversity, or bring the outside in by having indoor plants. You can find nature in urban settings and foster a love of the outdoors even in the city.

杏吧原创 University is surrounded by water and green spaces, serving as an important reminder to be an environmental steward and to responsibly manage our ecosystems. Photo by: Quinn McKinney

“This photo was taken during my Ecology (BIOL 2600) class as we counted invertebrates in the Ottawa River to see the differences in populations when there is a current and in places where this is no current in the river.

This photo is special because it shows that even though we are in the middle of the city, there are many ecosystems surrounding campus, all of which are important to understanding the complexity of nature.”

– Quinn McKinney, Environmental Science

5. Do a community clean-up.

Taking time for nature can be as easy as going on a walk and cleaning up litter on the way. It’s a great way to get outside, get fresh air and give back to nature and the community while social distancing.

“This picture was taken by my roommate after our final exams are over. We went on a celebration walk and did garbage picking for having finished all my exams. I hope I can show people that we can protect our mother nature and do something on a daily basis even when that something seems small.”

– Jiachen Wang, Information Technology-Photonics Laser Technology

6. Appreciate the little things in nature.

“These photos represent some of the amazing joys accompanied by spring in the Ottawa area. Being able to find and appreciate the little things nature has to offer provides a sense of reassurance and grounding in times where the world is constantly throwing curveballs.”

– Jessica Desforges, Biology

7. Explore nature’s trails.

Photo Credit: Fran Craig

Take time to get away and immerse yourself in nature by taking a hike or a bike ride on nature’s trails. Check out these resources where you can find the perfect trail to explore: and .

“Location: NCC Greenbelt just behind the Nepean Sportsplex. This forest dates back to 1962 and is one of my favourite trails in Ottawa. An oasis of nature in the middle of the city, this trail never fails to fill me with peace and gratitude for nature. This tall column of trees gift an oxygen-rich environment and are a treat for the senses. Accessible year-round for hikes, bikes, jogs, and cross country skiing. This is my enchanted garden.”

– Fran Craig, from the Information 杏吧原创 & Campus Card Office

8. Combine the outdoors with physical exercise.

“Connecting with nature and getting outside to exercise in fun ways has been pivotal to taking care of my mental health these past few weeks. I have been enjoying bike rides on Ottawa’s many bike paths. This photo was taken during an evening bike ride while reconnecting with friends to watch the sunset together from a distance.”

– Mya Johnson, Neuroscience

Kayak on Rideau Canal. Photo by: Becky Foote

9. Paddle your way on a canoe or a kayak.

Did you know ‘Ontario鈥� is an Iroquoian word meaning 鈥榣and of shining waters鈥�? There are 500,000 kilometres of lakes, rivers and heritage waterways in Ontario serving as a reminder of how connected we are by water.

for a list of canoeing and kayaking trails in Ontario.

10. Spend time with family in nature.

“I love being outside and so does my son (age 4). Nature is our happy place and no matter how much we drive each other crazy during the day, when we’re outside exploring trails (like this one on the Rideau River earlier this week), we are best buds. And he makes me the best hand-picked dandelion bouquets!”

– Lisa Valenta, Applied Linguistics (ALDS)

Taking time to enjoy nature with family is one way to foster environmental stewardship. By exploring the natural world together, it can foster a greater sense of connection with the environment by connecting children and families to a world of exploration. From nature hikes, camping, to bird watching, there are many nature-based activities you can take part in together. Being in the natural world teaches us how interconnected we all are, as we breathe the same air, drink the same water, and the food we eat has been shared by many others. Our world is interconnected, and as part of this system, we have a responsibility for each other and the natural world around us.

Did you know?

The majority of plastic packaging that is sent to landfills ends up in our natural environments. Canada produces an estimated 3.3 million tonnes of plastic waste per year 鈥� and only nine per cent of that is recycled.

3 Ways To Reduce Plastic Packaging:

1. Make it at home.
If you have a particular snack food you love, but only comes packaged in plastic, why not try making your own snacks at home and store them in reusable bags or tins? Making your own homemade snacks helps you reduce waste from plastic packaging and avoid all the processed ingredients that come from the packaged snacks.

Homemade Hazelnut Crunch Granola Bars Source: www.veggiegaltal.com

Talia Rampelt, a recent 杏吧原创 graduate and , collaborated with us to make a simple, quick and easy hazelnut crunch granola bars recipe.

It鈥檚 Plastic Free July, and one of the biggest challenges I face with trying to reducing my plastic consumption is eliminating plastic snack packaging. While making your own snacks is much healthier and cheaper, it can take up a lot of extra time. That鈥檚 why I love this granola bar recipe – it鈥檚 simple, quick and you can substitute almost all of the ingredients with whatever you have in your pantry.

Check out the recipe .

Other homemade snack ideas:

• Roasted chickpeas
• Popcorn
• Kale chips
• Baked goods (muffins, cookies, brownies)
• Granola
• Potato chips
• Chia seed pudding

2. Choose bulk products or loose product.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, shopping plastic-free at grocery shops during the pandemic has been difficult lately. However, zero waste grocery stores like still provides plastic-free packaging of their products. Shopping at your will help to reduce the amount of plastic in your grocery shopping.

When allowed (post COVID), bulk food stores have a reusable container program where you can bring your own reusable produce bags, containers, and glass jars to store your items. It will also help you avoid food waste by buying only what you need.

Bulk snack ideas:

• Dried fruit, like dried mango, raisins, cranberries, banana chips
• Trail mix
• Nuts and seeds
• Granola
• Pretzels
• Chocolate chips

3. Produce
Seasonal fruit and veggies are the best zero waste snacks! For convenience, pre-cut fruits ahead of time and store them in your fridge. You can also make a veggie dip by pre-cutting vegetables, like carrots, broccoli, bell peppers and celery into sticks and pair them off with hummus or any other dressing you like!

• Tip: When grocery shopping, shop the perimeter of the store. The perimeter is usually the best place to find nutritious food that is mostly plastic-free and unprocessed such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

In the time of COVID-19鈥�

Plastic Free July is a great opportunity to听bring awareness to the waste in your life and look for ways you can make a positive impact on the environment. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.鈥� Anne Marie Bonneau, Zero Waste Chef.

Curious to learn more?

• PlantEd Project’s – For homemade plant-based recipes to keep you inspired for zero waste snacks.
• For more simple tips for sustainable living and plastic-free ideas.