SWRC - The First 10 Years

Information. Networking. A model. An agent of change. These were the things that brought people together in 1990 to talk about forming a Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council.

The CCME had recently set its 50% reduction target. As Saskatchewan citizens listened to the concerns of more populous parts of North America, they noted that their own garbage pails and landfills were full of packaging, single use items and unfixable appliances. Environmental groups, municipalities and governments were overwhelmed by calls from those seeking information and change.

The group in Saskatchewan conducted a feasibility study, funded by the province. The study process led to the founding meeting of the Council on October 5, 1991. Joanne Fedyk was hired as executive director; Bert Weichel chaired the multi-stakeholder board.

The first few years saw a well-funded organization active on many fronts. The quarterly newsletter, Waste Watch, was launched with Bernadette Richards as editor. Through the Green Works program, SWRC's Rick Morrell worked with the Victoria Square Mall and the City of Regina to incorporate cost effective environmental changes.

A partnership with the On-site program in 1993, led to the Council becoming a source of assistance for companies wanting to implement better waste and energy systems. Envirotrek, our environmental trade show, appeared as part of Regina and Saskatoon's exhibitions for several years. In 1993, a major two-year compost initiative, funded by Canada's Environmental Partners Fund and led by SWRC's Dan Swerhone, was begun. The Council held its first major conference, Appropriate Scale Technology, in February, 1994. This was followed in April 1995 by The Good, The Bad & The Bulky.

The mid-nineties brought financial challenges. Core funding from the provincial government ended abruptly when deficit control and departmental restructuring measures occurred. Money from other sources also became more elusive. Staff was cut to a minimum with a couple of periods when there was no paid staff.

Despite these difficulties, work continued. A two-year, Green Plan project on farm waste issues resulted in seminars throughout the province and detailed hazardous waste publications. A third conference, Waste Deep in Opportunities, held March 1997, featured the launch of the Waste Minimization Awards. SWRC assumed the job of producing the Reusing and Recycling directories for the province. Joan Harrison produced a home composting slide show that later became our composting video.

The move to sustaining members involved the SWRC in many co-ordinating and partnership roles, such as managing the summer student activities for the tire and used oil stewardship programs. Since 1998, SWRC has hosted numerous one-day forums throughout the province which have proven a popular way to relay information and promote connections between regions.

SWRC celebrated its 10th birthday as a vital organization with its original goals but a different mode of operation. The Council reached this milestone because of the dedicated work from board members, staff, contract employees and volunteers and the generosity and vision of corporate and institutional contributors. There is enough work left for at least another decade.

(Source: September 2001 WasteWatch)

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