Written by Kirsty Smyth, Zero Waste Program Manager
In partnership with GFL Environmental and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), AWARE delivers From Waste to Action, a campaign helping local businesses reduce landfill waste and improve diversion rates, with a focus on food waste.
April 22 was Earth Day. Since 1970, this date has been used to celebrate the planet and raise awareness of environmental issues including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. It has grown into a global movement involving more than one billion people across more than 190 countries.
This year in Whistler, a range of businesses and organizations came together for talks, circular economy events, and Pitch-In Day. This year’s Earth Week theme, Our Power, Our Planet, is a reminder that protecting the environment is not solely the responsibility of governments. It is something individuals, families, communities, and businesses all contribute to collectively. Nowhere is that collective power more relevant than when it comes to waste.
Why It Matters
When we think about sustainability, we often focus on reducing emissions or protecting ecosystems. But the simple act of buying something, using it, and then throwing it away, even if it is recycled, has a significant environmental impact. Reducing waste is one of the most effective actions you can take, here’s why:
- Natural resources are finite: Producing goods requires raw materials that are often used once and then sent to landfill.
- Waste is energy-intensive: Everything you buy requires energy to produce, transport, and dispose of. Reducing consumption lowers overall energy use. In Whistler, most landfill waste is transported to the Campbell Hill Landfill in Cache Creek. The journey is over 450 km once routed via Vancouver and requires significant fuel, funded indirectly through taxpayers.
- Plastic pollution is widespread: An estimated 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems each year, harming wildlife and ecosystems.
- Waste impacts human health: According to the World Health Organization, around one-third of global waste is not managed safely. Poorly managed waste can contaminate food and water sources and create breeding grounds for pests.
Waste In Whistler
Whistler’s Zero Waste Action Plan sets a target to reduce landfill waste to 80% of 2019 levels by 2030. Progress has been slow. In 2024, landfill waste totalled 11,577 tonnes, only a 3% reduction from 2019 levels.
This highlights the scale of the challenge. Reducing waste in Whistler will require action from individuals, businesses, and the broader community. Small changes, applied consistently, add up. So what can you do? The challenge can feel overwhelming, but there are practical, low-effort actions you can start today.
Buy Less
The most effective way to reduce waste is to be more intentional about what you buy. In a town where new gear is everywhere, it is worth pausing before making a purchase and asking if you actually need it.
If you are unsure, wait a few days before making the purchase. If you still feel you need the item, try finding it second-hand through Marketplace, the ReUse-It Centre, or community events like AWARE’s Garage Sale.
If you are buying new, aim for quality over quantity. Look for durable items or brands that offer repair programs or warranties so your purchase lasts longer. Tools like Good On You can help you understand a brand’s environmental and social impact.
When it comes to food, one of the simplest ways to reduce waste is to notice what you regularly throw away. That is often the clearest sign of overbuying.
Repair and Reuse
Once you have reduced what you buy, the next step is to get more life out of what you already own. Before throwing something away, consider whether it could be repaired, repurposed, or used by someone else.
Worn-out clothing can become cleaning rags. Jars can be reused for storage. Many everyday items can find a second life with a bit of creativity. This approach reduces waste and can also save money. Whistler Community Services Society has a tool library in Function Junction which you could use to repair broken items and the Whistler Public Library has sewing machines available to rent. Community events also help like Garage Sale and Repair Cafés.
Recycle Properly
A little extra attention to recycling can make a big difference. If you are unsure where something goes, check rather than guess. Incorrect items can contaminate entire recycling streams. The easiest way to find accurate information is through Recycle BC or the RMOW’s website.
At home or work, clear bin labelling can make a big difference. Recycling should be clean and
empty. Heavily soiled items may need to go in the garbage or organics if accepted.
Compostable packaging rules have also changed in recent years. Look for BPI certification to
confirm whether an item can go in organics.
A Note On Diversion
Waste diversion refers to the percentage of waste kept out of landfill through recycling and composting. Many zero waste events and businesses aim for diversion rates of 90% or higher. In Whistler, the overall diversion rate is estimated to be around 46%, which shows there is still significant room for improvement.
One simple way to engage with this is to track your waste for a week. You do not need exact numbers. A rough sense of what goes to landfill versus recycling and compost can help identify easy improvements.
Use Your Consumer Power
Every purchase supports a system. Choosing products with less packaging, supporting reuse-based businesses, and favouring companies with strong environmental practices can help shift demand over time.
A Bit About Food Waste
In Whistler, an estimated 39% of landfill waste could have been composted. When food waste ends up in landfill, it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Throughout this series of articles, we will teach you more about food waste and how to manage it. For now, if you do not already separate food waste at home or work, consider starting.
AWARE’s From Waste To Action campaign, in partnership with GFL Environmental and the RMOW, helps businesses and residents improve their waste systems with practical, hands-on support. This year, we are focusing support on restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, schools, and multi-unit residential buildings. Do you work in one of these sectors, or live in a strata? Get in touch we will help you improve your waste diversion, free of charge.
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