Zero Waste April Newsletter

Banff strives to be a model environmental community and we need community members like you to help us lead the charge.

Learn fascinating facts below about what really happens in the recycling world, how to get involved with zero waste initiatives, and tips from the pros to shrink your waste at home.
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Celebrate Earth Day, April 22, 2022 by joining one of our events

Earth Day Community Clean Up

This Earth Day join the Town of Banff and Parks Canada as we pick up litter in our neighborhoods and in the national park between April 18 – 25. We will provide you with the necessary tools and an area to clean around your neighborhood or in the national park in an effort to clean as many spaces as possible. Household compost bins will also be available at the toolkit pick up and drop off. Individuals or groups are welcome to sign up.
Register online at app.bookking.ca/banffpub/courses/index.asp?CRS=2781
to choose your community clean up kit pick up time on either April 19 or 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Town of Banff Waste Transfer Site Tours

Friday, April 22, 1– 2 p.m. or 5–6 p.m.
Ever wonder what happens to your garbage, recycling, and compost after you drop it in the neighborhood bins? Learn all about what happens to your waste during an informative tour on Friday, April 22 at the Town of Banff Waste Transfer Site, 160 Hawk Avenue. Email zero.waste@banff.ca to register for the afternoon tour, 1–2 p.m. or the evening tour, 5–6 p.m.

Fresh additions to the Library of Things!

New things have just been added! A miter saw, hand drill, and a waffle maker are now available to borrow from the Library of Things, right in time for your spring repairs, refurbishing projects, and sunrise breakfasts. A pair of binoculars and a soldering iron are also on the way. Here are some zero-waste inspirations to help you make the most of the new items:

Miter Saw: Using untreated salvaged wood, build a coffee table or dinning table for evenings on the deck.
Waffle Maker: Pop down to Banff Food Rescue and make a berry compote from rescued fruits as toppings for Zero Waste Waffles.
Soldering Iron: Make repairs to your gutters using the soldering iron.
Hand Drill: Take a pre-emptive strike against summer heat, and us the drill to install curtains or window shades to keep your space cool and comfortable for the next season.

Eager to test out the new items? All residents of Banff or ID9 are eligible to borrow them and can do so by visiting the Library of Things at the Banff Public Library at 101 Bear Street.

Congrats to Samesun Hostel, Banff's Newest Trailblazer!

Pictured in photo: Neele Schneider, Megan Purchase, and John Hunter

Samesun Hostel is the latest recipient of the Zero Waste Trailblazer Awards, a recognition for Banff businesses and institutions that go above and beyond efforts to reduce, re-use and recycle.

We sat down with the team at Samesun Hostel to learn more about what it means to move toward zero waste in the context of a hostel. The passion of the management team was infectious and clearly translated to staff at all levels.

The Samesun is in a unique position as a lodging operation with dormitory style rooms, a shared kitchen for guest use, and a restaurant—all of which have potential to generate different types of waste. Thankfully, the team at the Samesun knows how to handle the different sources of waste and for the most part, they tackle preventing waste before it happens in the first place!

The team at Samesun is helping Banff move toward zero waste by:

Not providing unnecessary waste like single-use items
Sharing their enthusiasm for the importance of zero waste with their guests
Ensuring that guests participate in proper waste sorting by providing clearly labelled, well-organized communal bins
Using Town of Banff services like food scraps collection and the neighbourhood recycling bins to responsibly dispose of the materials

Hostel staff can often be the first folks that visitors meet when they arrive in Banff, and we are reassured knowing that sustainability is a top priority message being shared with guests. Thanks to the passionate crew at the Samesun for creating a hostel experience that showcases Banff’s environmental values!

Zero Waste Trailblazers are selected based on 10 categories and 20 certification criteria relating to waste reduction and diversion practices, measured results, and related environmental protection initiatives. The categories are listed at banffzerowastetrail.ca/commercial. Businesses must score higher than 16 points (80%) to achieve Trailblazer status.

Is your workplace on the Zero Waste Trail? email zero.waste@banff.cato get involved and help protect the park for future generations to come.

Get in touch, email zerowaste@Banff.ca.
Learn more at BanffZeroWasteTrail.ca.