Last week was Waste Reduction Week and Canadian’s across the country took steps to cut waste and improve the environment.  At Red River College we reduce waste every day, about 9 tonnes every month, but even we lost a few “extra pounds” this week.

During our fall e-waste round up, staff and students recycled more than 2.3 tonnes of electronic waste. Everything from home computers, printers, microwaves and overhead projectors were responsibly recycled.

Eight composting enthusiasts signed up to make their own worm bin for the office. Vermicomposting is an easy way to eliminate food waste and produces a nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be used in office plants or the garden.  Did you know that Red Wiggler composting worms eat roughly half their own weight in organic waste every day?   This means that our new worm bins will compost a 1/4 lb. of kitchen scraps each day.

You can watch the presentation on the eTV On-Demand Stream and learn how to make your own worm bin!

Finally, hundreds of staff and students stopped by our EcoMug display to learn about the environmental benefits and the cost savings of using a reusable mug. Most people were surprised to learn that Tim Horton’s coffee cups can’t be recycled and that only 7% of staff and students use reusable mugs. During the week we spotted 178 EcoMug users on campus and gave away a $150 dollar Red Card (donated by RRC’s Students’ Association) to one lucky “red ticket” holder (233282), just for lugging a reusable mug!

Thanks everyone who participated in these events and for continuing to practice the 4 Rs (rethink, reduce, re-use and recycle) year round!