Lac La Biche County will be hosting a variety of free events from Oct. 14—21 for Waste Reduction Week.
Julia Shapka, the acting coordinator for Lac La Biche County Environmental Services, says workshops and other events held during Waste Reduction Week are designed to educate and engage the community in sustainable practices.
The first event is a Tie Dye Workshop, which takes place on Oct. 15, from 6-8 p.m. at McArthur Place.
“This workshop will teach participants the basics of tie-dye and promote repurposing of clothing items rather than throwing these away,” Shapka told Lakeland This Week.
Other workshops will offer more food for thought ... with actual food.
Learning how to prepare tasty meals and snacks using food leftovers can be a handy skill, and those who head out to the Craigend Community Hall on Oct. 17 from 6-8 p.m., will have the opportunity to learn how to make salsa and learn how to prep cabbage leaves for cabbage rolls.
Still more activities though the week will focus on environmental cleanup.
It isn’t every day that folks can drop off household cleaners and other hazardous waste-household or otherwise-for safe disposal at their local landfill. However, on Oct. 19, the County will be offering a chance to do just that at the Household Hazardous Waste Roundup and Shredding Event, which takes place in the County Centre parking lot from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. According to Shapka, a shredder will also be on site for confidential documents.
Awareness and education through the week is for all ages, said Shapka.
The week of events to foster a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship in the community concludes on Oct. 21 with landfill tours for local elementary school students
“Every year, we invite schools to schedule a landfill tour for their Grade 4 classes, to align with their Waste in Our World theme as part of the curriculum,” Shapka explained. “The students are incredibly interested in how we deal with waste and recyclables at our landfills.”
Shapka explained that Lac La County hosts these events annually as part of the municipality’s commitment to its environmental stewardship and community engagement. The events that happen during Waste Reduction Week, she went on, are generally well-attended, with residents actively participating in workshops, hazardous waste roundups, and other activities that are on offer.
“The community’s involvement helps promote sustainable practices and fosters a sense of collective responsibility towards waste reduction and environmental conservation within the County,” she said.
Waste Reduction Week, Shapka said, also plays a vital role in highlighting the environmental consequences of waste and encouraging sustainable habits, adding that it serves as an educational platform, teaching people the significance of reducing, reusing, and recycling to lessen our environmental impact.
“Through various events and activities, individuals and communities gain practical knowledge on effective waste management, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility,” she stated. “This week-long initiative not only promotes innovative waste reduction solutions but also celebrates successes in sustainability, contributing to a greener future.
In addition to the week-long series of events, Shapka said that Lac La Biche County landfills will also have free tipping fees for residential waste from Oct. 15-19.
