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
2025 Zero Waste Events
Repair Café: April 5 from 10 am to 2 pm at The 55 Activity Centre
A Repair Café event is designed for the community to meet and bring their broken possessions to be fixed by a group of local volunteers. It’s about repairing together, learning from each other, and promoting a more sustainable approach to our belongings. Plus, it’s free of charge!
Need something fixed? This Repair Café will have fixers who can help with the following areas/items:
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Sewing and mending clothes, patching holes and tears, sewing on buttons, and restitching
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Bike repairs and tune-ups
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Furniture repairs
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Small appliances and electronics
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Eyecare fixes
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Jewelry repairs
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General carpentry
Please ensure that the clothes you bring are clean. Our sewing team is always in high demand, so we kindly ask that you limit yourself to three textile or clothing items. Please be reminded that you are expected to stay while your item is being repaired.
This event is hosted by the District of Squamish. Interested in Volunteering? Contact zerowaste@squamish.ca
Kids’ Clothing, Toy, and Book Swap: May 24 from 10 am to 3 pm at Brennan Park Recreation Centre
Join us for the Kids Clothing, Toy, and Book Swap. The perfect time to donate some clothes, purge those outgrown toys and add a few more books to the collection.
Bagged clothes, toys, and books can be dropped off in advance at Brennan Park Recreation Centre on:
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May 23 from 5 to 7 pm
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May 24 from 10 to 11 am (no later)
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Don’t have anything to bring? No problem! Come and see what treasures you can find.
Kids Clothing, Toy, and Book Swap Guidelines:
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All items must be clean and in good condition
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When you drop off items, please help us sort them.
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Avoid bringing large amounts of bagged items.
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All leftover items will be donated to local charities and Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.
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This event is hosted by the District of Squamish.
Re-Use-It-Fair: June 7 from 9 am to 3 pm at Brennan Park Recreation Centre
What's accepted?
Small appliances in good working order or in need of minor repair.
Large appliances in good working order.
Furniture, household items, garden tools, sports equipment, pet accessories, fabrics, crafting and stationary items, games, and seasonal items in reasonable condition.
What's not accepted?
TVs, computers, printers, VCRs (recycle these at the Bottle Depot).
Toys and other kids’ accessories (there will be a specific kid’s swap in October).
Clothing (there will be a clothing and book swap in October).
Books(there will be a clothing and book swap in October).
Mattresses (recycle these at the landfill). ·
Items broken or damaged beyond repair.
Please note:
Folks will be asked to self-sort.
Volunteers will be on-site to help find the right location for items.
Items need to be clean and in working order.
We are unable to accept broken or dirty items.
We can only accept items that fit in the categories listed above.
Drop off items will ONLY be accepted between 9 am to 1 pm.
This event is organized by the District of Squamish and the Squamish Climate Action Network to advance a circular economy and reduce avoidable waste. Interested in volunteering? Email shannon@squamishcan.net
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!
