The goal of the Owen Sound Waste Watchers community group is to raise awareness of the negative impact of single-use waste on Owen Sound, local waterways and our world. The group also encourages a reduction in overall garbage and works to increase effectiveness of recycling in our community.
In response to COVID-19, all Owen Sound Waste Watchers' group trash pick-ups and social events were immediately cancelled, in line with directions given by the City of Owen Sound and local Health Authorities.
“Unfortunately, the problem of excessive garbage and waste hasn’t gone away during this time. In fact, new rules have caused single-use food packaging to increase by limiting re-usable options like personal coffee mugs and grocery bags” says Laura Wood. “We believe the household waste problem facing our community will be with us long after the pandemic has past, so our group decided to use this time to develop some resources to help.”
The new Owen Sound Waste Watchers' website is being launched today to help raise awareness of the problem and provide community education. It features an easy to use home audit system, seven simple Take Action steps, links to Owen Sound recycling information, a product list of the package-free items available at the new BYOB Refillery at Owen Sound Wellness Centre, as well as news about Owen Sound Waste Watchers' projects and events.
A new event approach called “ALONE/Together” was created to allow people to pick up litter on their own, or with members of their immediate family, while following local rules and maintaining the appropriate physical distance from others. The first event took place on Saturday, May 23 with eleven volunteers – all in different areas of the city – and 4,973 items were collected. Since the first Owen Sound Waste Watchers' event was held in September 2018, 132,139 items have been collected from Owen Sound streets, parks and along the harbour.
The next ALONE/Together PickUp is Saturday, June 13 from 10AM to Noon. All are welcome to participate.
At 3PM the same day, an online ZOOM Chat will take place, called Talkin’ Dirt. It is open to everyone who would like to learn more about basic composting. “Studies show that up to 30% of our household waste is organic matter that can be easily composted instead of being put out as garbage. Unfortunately, the City of Owen Sound does not currently offer curbside organic material pick-up, meaning these items go directly into landfill” says Laura Wood. “Our Talkin’ Dirt ZOOM Chat will cover the basics and offer ideas that work for both people with a yard and others who live in apartments.”
To register for either event, visit www.oswastewatchers.ca/events, follow the link on the Owen Sound Waste Watchers' Facebook page or send an email to [email protected]
source: media release, Owen Sound Waste Watchers
