Reduce
Complete a waste audit: Follow these tips from CleanRiver Recycling Solutions and carry out a waste audit at your organization. Learn more here. Looking for a Waste Audit Worksheet to guide you through the process? Check out Your Green Business for resources, support, and more!
Quick tips to reduce waste: A City of Ottawa resource with basic waste reduction and education information. The Public Works and Environmental Services Outreach Team also provides presentations about Ottawa’s green bin and recycling programs to community groups. Learn more here.
Service Ottawa Waste Explorer: Search for information on how to properly dispose of specific items. Learn more here.
Reuse
Borrow, don’t buy! The Ottawa Tool Library is a tool lending library that provides access to a large inventory of tools and instruments – from drills to wheelbarrows – to its members. Learn more here.
Freecycling – There are numerous local initiatives that connect people wishing to donate things with people who need things. The Ottawa FREEcycle group is a great place to start.
Recycle
Know your by-laws – Learn about the City of Ottawa’s solid waste management regulations here. And learn about recycling dos and don’ts here.
City of Ottawa Yellow Bag Program – Convenient and affordable garbage and waste diversion service for small businesses in Ottawa that generate smaller amounts of garbage (16 bags or less of garbage every two weeks). Learn more here.
Waste Connections of Canada – Private waste collection service for businesses offering recycling and organic composting collection and services. Learn more here.
Directory of recycling programs in Canada – An inventory of recycling programs with links to extended producer responsibility programs, product stewardship programs, and other related initiatives. Learn more here.
How recycling can benefit your bottom line – Learn how other Canadian companies are turning waste into profits here.
Success Stories
Bridgehead – this Ottawa based coffeehouse chain prides itself on its environmental values. But leaving a greener footprint also means cutting costs. Learn how swapping dumpsters for composters has proved a win-win for the company here.
IKEA – learn about IKEA’s commitment to sustainability and its ambitious targets for 2020 and beyond. Download pdf here.
Innovations in food waste reduction – learn how new technologies like artificial intelligence can help businesses save money and reduce the amount of food ending up in landfills. Read more here.
Links to other resources
Circular economy – learn about the circular economy and how it can benefit your business. Find out more here.
Box of Life Vermicomposting – Ottawa-based business that designs indoor vermicomposting systems. Learn more here.
FoodRescue.ca – A free website that connects businesses with surplus food to non-profits who can use that food. Learn more here.