What You Can Do To Help

Edmontonians are some of the most environmentally conscious citizens in the world.

Edmonton was one of the first major municipalities in North America to collect milk cartons and a variety of plastics and to recycle aerosol cans.

88% of Edmontonians participate in the blue bag recycling program.

Simple steps you can take to become an Environmental Champion:

Be Travel Smart

• Traffic can be a big headache. Lessen the traffic by using alternative modes of transportation. Walk, bike or try taking Edmonton Transit instead of driving. Edmonton Transit is committed to offering environmentally-friendly transportation. Just one bus can replace about 50 private cars on the road!
• Not sure if an electric bicycle or a scooter is for you? Test one out with the Try-It Library.
• Have you ever considered joining a car sharing co-op? Car sharing allows a group of people to share the financial, social and environmental costs of owning a vehicle, while enjoying the benefits that automobiles offer.
• Why not start a carpool? It's a great way to get to know co-workers, save money and help the environment.
• Be Idle Free - Idling your vehicle not only wastes gasoline (and therefore, money), it also causes needless pollution and can be damaging to your vehicle. Protect your wallet and your health - be aware of your idling habits.

Be Yard Smart

• Naturalization - With Edmonton facing a water shortage and considering the time it takes to maintain a lawn, it's tempting to turn your lawn into a concrete pad. But there is a beautiful alternative. By using plants native to Alberta, you can have a well-landscaped lawn that requires less water and is more resistant to weeds and pests.
• Use pesticides responsibly, or eliminate their use entirely.
• Edmontonians take pride in their city. Why not help make it an even more beautiful place to live? Join Partners in Parks and participate in gardening a part of our city's public spaces.
• If your about to re-landscape, consider eco-landscaping to reduce the amounts of pesticides, herbicides and water required for maintenance.

Be Energy Smart

• With ever increasing energy costs, we all look for ways to save. There are a number of things you can do, many of which are inexpensive, to lower your energy use.
• If purchasing an appliance, choose one that is approved by Energy Star^®.

Be Water Smart

• Reduce your water consumption by using efficient appliances and fixtures, such as 6L toilets, low-flow showerheads and front-loading washing machines. On January 1, 2008, the City implemented a water efficient fixtures bylaw (Bylaw 14571).
  It requires water-efficient fixtures (toilets, showerheads, faucets) to be installed in all new residential and commercial construction, as well as in renovations where plumbing permits are required.
  For further information, check out our brochure and visit EPCOR's website.
• Use a rain barrel so you can use rain water on your lawn and garden rather than tap water.

Be Waste Smart

• Most household waste is either recyclable or compostable. The City of Edmonton has a number of residential recycling programs and a composting facility. Or you can compost in your own backyard.
• Grasscycle your lawn clippings.
• Participate in the annual Capital City Clean Up.
• Become a Master Composter/Recycler volunteer. Learn about environmental stewardship, composting and recycling in a three week course and start volunteering to promote the 4 Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.

Be Food Smart

• Whether it's shopping, eating, dining or playing, do it locally.
• Support your local farmers by shopping at farmers markets.
• Grow your own produce and have fresh fruits and vegetables right outside your door.

Other

• Cleaning products and insecticides can be harsh not only for the germs and pests we use them on, but also on the environment. You can get rid of germs and pests using natural, chemical-free products. To find out more go to a search engine and type in "environmentally-friendly cleaning products" and "alternatives to pesticides".
• Use environmentally-friendly products that are recyclable/compostable/reuseable, such the Green Goods available from Recycle Enterprises, a non-profit group.
• Concerned about litter along roadways? You can make a difference by adopting a road. The City will provide you with the materials you need to keep your adopted roadway clean.
• Pledge to take at least two new actions that are good for the environment and register them at Zerofootprint Edmonton. Then invite your family, friends and neighbours to participate.

For more information:

Office of Environment