Mark your calendars, next week is National Waste Reduction Week as proclaimed by Mayor Jeff Genung on Tuesday, October 15.
The campaign intends to education, engage and empower Cochrane Residents to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.
Cochrane's Eco Centre wants to raise awareness about waste reduction, specifically focusing on food waste. Manager of waste and recycling Fabrizio Bertolo says more than 60 per cent of food thrown away in the home could have been eaten. This statistic comes from a 2017 study.
"That amount could be as much as 140 kilograms of food, over $1,700 worth per household," Bertolo says.
"We want Cochranites to think about how they're using food - shopping, storing and cooking it - to ensure it's not being wasted."
Next week's campaign will include presentations at local schools, tours of the Eco Centre, and an online contest to encourage residents in championing their goal of being Zero-Waste Heroes. The centre has online tools and videos to learn how to use leftovers, organize your fridge and make efficient shopping choices to reduce food waste.
Mayor Genung has been challenged to make and eat a lunch made entirely from rescued food, in a reusable lunch kit.
The Town of Cochrane has partnered with the Southern Municipalities Waste Management Association Committee. The committee is similarly committed to issues including resource efficiency, waste reduction and diversion.
For more information visit facebook.com/CochraneEcoCentre
