Saanich is rolling out new measures to curb waste at its summer events and festivals, aiming to cut down on single-use items and reduce landfill-bound garbage.
The district’s zero-waste initiatives include piloting reusable service ware, such as reusable bowls at the Saanich Strawberry Festival, and adding clearly marked waste sorting stations at events.
The Diverters, a local social enterprise, has also been hired to help attendees sort their waste and divert recyclables from the landfill.
The district also worked with vendors at select events, requiring them to offer only plant-based food options to further reduce environmental impacts.
Saanich officials hope the initiatives encourage residents to adopt similar habits at home – from reusing and repairing household items to reducing consumption.
“By adopting more sustainably conscious habits at home, like reusing what you have instead of buying, individuals can make significant contributions to a greener future for our community,” said Melissa Hauzer, senior sustainability planner.
The expanded program was partially funded by a CRD Rethink Waste Grant.
