2020 Waste Minimization Awards

 

SWRC is proud to present the 2020 Saskatchewan Waste Minimization Awards, sponsored by SaskTel. Awards are given to Saskatchewan individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to reduce their own waste, and in doing so, are an inspiration to others.

For the second year, we weren't able to hold an in-person ceremony to present the awards. Instead, we mailed everyone their awards to accept in the comfort of their home or office.

 

Corporation: PCL Construction

PCL Construction replaced the ice rink floor at the Lions Arena in Saskatoon. The work included removal and replacement of the ice slab including new heating pipe, refrigeration pipe, miscellaneous concrete work, new weeping tile system, boiler, sump pit and new dasher board system. They diverted 96.2% of materials, 508,000 kg, from the Saskatoon landfill by donating for re-use, salvaging and recycling.

 

SMALL BUSINESS: Zak's Group of Companies

Zak’s Home Hardware Building Centers in Hague and Warman have implemented numerous waste-reducing habits, including switching from plastic to paper bags, providing a drop-off for customers to recycle lights and batteries, selling damaged items at a discount or donating them to Habitat for Humanity, recycling metal bindings from lumber and switching staff lunchroom cutlery and plates from disposable to reusable. The Warman location also collects paint from customers and delivers it to SARCAN.

 

 

 

SMALL BUSINESS: ZestyKits

ZestyKits delivers kits with ready-to-cook meals throughout Saskatchewan. They focus on using locally produced ingredients and minimal packaging. Packaging is 60% lighter than the average meal kit service and does not use any ice packs or postage. Customers can choose to have their vegetables wrapped in bees wax wraps rather than a plastic bag, and to further minimize the carbon footprint, they use a QR code placed on each meal kit box to share the meal’s recipe online.

 

 

MUNICIPALITY < 5,000: The Northern Village of Beauval

The Northern Village of Beauval introduced a recycling program to prepare for decommissioning their landfill. In 2020, they diverted over 51 tonnes of waste. Education materials were distributed among the community by local newsletter, local TV, advertisements, bulletin boards and pamphlets.

 

MUNICIPALITY > 5,000: City of Swift Current

Swift Current has two supervised and fenced locations for dropping off organics to be composted. These bins are emptied weekly and usage continuously increases. In 2020, 3,075 cubic yards of diverted material was processed into compost. Wood waste is separated and stockpiled at the City’s landfill. All diverted wood is chipped annually. Green wood chips are used as the carbon source in the City’s composting operations. White wood chips are used primarily in industrial operations as absorption material.

 

 

 

Thanks to SaskTel for their support of the Saskatchewan Waste Minimization Awards.