The Zero Waste Action Team (ZWAT)
The Zero Waste Action Team (ZWAT) is a very active group made up of concerned citizens, Squamish CAN board members and District of Squamish staff. The ZWAT organizes the Reuse It Fair and Repair Café annually in partnership with the District of Squamish and takes on different projects every year. Recent projects include helping to establish curb side compost pickup, hiring a Zero Waste Coordinator for the farmers’ markets, working on reducing the use of single use plastic bags and partnering with the District on a curbside recycling audit in Squamish.
"Landfills are like black holes; resources go in and never come out."
Our goal is to build strategies to help our community find workable zero waste-to-landfill solutions. Squamish CAN recognizes that all waste stream solutions must be operationally and economically feasible and are prepared to work with all partners to make this an attainable goal for our community.
Our Zero Waste Team will be composed of some experts and many less expert but very passionate and concerned folks. We will host talks on various aspects of Zero Waste, and we will go on tours to learn and help others. We will work with our local government and businesses to eliminate waste, because waste is expensive and inefficient.
Are you concerned about the amount of waste going into our landfill everyday?
Do you want to learn more?
Do you want to join this exciting team and put some energy into creating a better Squamish while contributing to a more sustainable planet?
If you would like to get involved with the Zero Waste Action Team, contact us at shannon@squamishcan.net
Our Strategic Priority
Achieve ZERO waste in Squamish
Our Goal
We will reduce overall landfill waste for Squamish to a level that meets or exceeds the municipal average, and prioritize contamination reduction by continuing to (a) work with community partners and the District of Squamish, and (b) host and sponsor educational opportunities for businesses and the public.
We work closely with the District of Squamish and have therefore aligned our goals. The DOS's goal is to "Increase the diversion rate of waste from landfill to 80% and reduce per capita landfill waste to 300 kg by 2021.”
Useful Waste Resources
Our Ongoing Projects
2024 Fall Series Events
Launched by the Circular Innovation Council, Circular Economy Month (October) is dedicated to educating and empowering Canadians to support the transition to a circular economic model.
Adult Clothing and Book Swap: October 19, 2024 (10 am to 2 pm)
Location: Brennan Park. RSVP here for Facebook reminders
Drop-off: October 18, 2024, 5 to 7 pm & October 19, 10 am to 12 pm
Please mind that all items need to be clean and in decent condition. We cannot accept broken or dirty items. This event will only focus on books as well as clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Fall Repair Café: October 26, 2024 (10 am to 2 pm)
Location: 55 Activity Centre. RSVP here for Facebook reminders
What is a Repair Café? Repair Cafés are free meeting places for repairing things (together).
Whether it's missing buttons, a crooked stool, a broken photo frame, or jewelry with a tricky clasp, bring it to the Repair Café! Over tea and a muffin, skilled volunteers will guide you through the repair process – at no cost! Bring the kids! We'll have a Tinkerbell station where kids can playfully take apart toys and electronics.
Canning Workshop: October 28, 2024 (7 pm to 9 pm)
Location: Brennan Park 7 pm to 9 pm
Join us for a hands-on workshop covering the basics of food preservation! We'll introduce you to the world of canning low-risk foods and guide you safely preserving the harvest with confidence. This event is facilitated by Krystle tenBrink, Executive Director Squamish CAN and Certified Bernardin Canning Instructor.
Kids Clothing and Toys Swap: November 9, 2024 (10 am to 2 pm)
Where: 55 Activity Centre RSVP here for Facebook reminders
Bagged clothes, toys, and books can be dropped off in advance at The 55 Activity Centre on:
• November 8 from 5 to 7 pm
• November 9 from 10 to 11 am (no later)
Don’t have anything to bring? No problem! Come and see what treasures you can find.
Have your children outgrown their clothes? Is it time to swap out some pre-loved toys? Looking for some extra book to add to your kid’s collection? Come down to our KIDS clothing, toy, and book swap.
Past Projects - Zero Waste Series
The Zero Waste Series is made possible through a partnership with the District of Squamish. Workshops and events in this series focus on eliminating waste going to the landfill through repairing, re-using, repurposing, reducing and recovering (upcycling).
HOW TO SIGN UP & COSTS:
Most zero waste workshops are by donation. The donations help us cover material costs and ensure we can keep running these workshops at no or a very low cost for the community in the future. Stay posted, sign up for our monthly newsletter to hear about upcoming events!
