Learn about City of Edmonton programs that help reduce and divert waste from going into landfills.
Everyone has the power to reduce the waste they produce. Reducing waste not only saves money but also helps to protect our environment and conserve valuable resources.
Waste Reduction and Reuse Grant
The Waste Reduction and Reuse Grant is accepting applications until March 1, 2026. There is a total of $100,000 available to be awarded to one or more successful applicants. Apply today.
How To Get Involved
The City of Edmonton has many programs and initiatives in place that support waste reduction.
The Waste Reduction Network helps businesses and organizations in the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector connect with peers and the City to:
- Share and network with leaders and peers
- Contribute to waste reduction policy planning
- Present achievements
- Find resources to support your organization's sustainability reporting
- Public promotion of your business's events or tours
- Get updates about waste-related events
Member benefits include:
- Access to members-only meetings (4-6 a year) where you can learn, network and share with industry leaders and peers, and contribute ideas about how the City can support organizations in reducing waste
- Opportunities to present achievements and initiatives at member meetings and public events
- Access resources to support your organization's sustainability reporting, circular economy systems and waste reduction planning and actions
- Hosting and public promotion of events or tours at your place of business
- Updates about waste-related events
How is the City supporting Waste Reduction?
Aside from the programs and initiatives in place, the City also supports waste reduction through various strategies and plans.
Waste Reduction and Reuse Grant
Applications are now open until March 1, 2026.
The Waste Reduction and Reuse Grant (WRR Grant) helps fund the people and projects that support waste reduction and reuse in Edmonton. The funding is for innovative initiatives that reduce residential waste and increase participation in waste diversion.
2025 Grant Recipients
Kaytlyn Beakhouse - Sustainable Clothing Exchange
The Sustainable Clothing Exchange was designed to:
- Raise awareness of sustainable fashion alternatives
- Provide education on textile and single-use waste reduction
- Create a community among female business professionals
- Support the charity Suit Yourself
Michelle Closs - Clothing Repair Clinics
Clothing Repair Clinics are monthly community clothing repair workshops with a focus on teaching mending, repairing and upcycling pre-existing clothing and textiles.
Vignettes Art And Design Society - Pop-up Series
Vignettes Art and Design Society launched a one-year pop-up series where art materials like tile, granite, wood, fabric, stone and more are collected, merchandised and sold for reuse. The pop-up also acts as a studio for designing, mending and creating new products.
Trashformers
Trashformers reduces landfill waste through artistic expression by reusing and upcycling various materials into unique works of art that promote sustainability, creativity and environmental awareness.
Explore Edmonton - Lanyard Library
Explore Edmonton hosts around 500 events annually each year. Explore Edmonton used the grant to pilot a “Lanyard Library” aimed at helping event planners reuse at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Lanyards are recollected after events, washed and re-used again and again.
Austin O'Brien - Decarbonize Club
A teacher-led, student-run initiative to reduce landfill waste by composting teacher, student, foods lab and cafeteria waste. The compost is used to grow produce that is used in the school's foods programs.
Waste Free Edmonton - Sustainability Social
The Sustainability Social is an annual event hosted by Waste Free Edmonton that brings together a carefully curated panel of experts to tackle a specific area of waste and provide hands-on activities for attendees.
Waste Free Edmonton - Outreach Programs
Waste Free Edmonton ran several outreach campaigns to help Edmontonians and local businesses transition from waste-generating monoculture lawns to sustainable yards that reduce waste, increase biodiversity, grow food and support healthy soil.
Baturyn Community League - Clothing Swap
Baturyn Community League’s annual clothing swap collects clothing from everyone and makes it available at little to no cost.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba Foundation of Edmonton - Reusables Program
A student-led initiative, which included installing a commercial-grade dishwasher and having reusable dishes and cutlery to significantly reduce the amount of single-use items being directed to the landfill.
Sport Central
Sport Central collects gently used sports equipment, repairs or recycles it, then redistributes it to kids in families facing financial hardship, keeping equipment out of landfills and putting equipment back into circulation for a second life.
Engineers for a Sustainable World University of Alberta Chapter - Greenhouse
Engineers for a Sustainable World used the grant to build a greenhouse on campus, which helped extend the growing season and used the heat generated from composting to warm the greenhouse.
Zero Waste Framework
The Zero Waste Framework outlines the many ways in which to manage waste. It focuses on waste rethink/redesign, waste reduction, reuse, recycling/composting, waste recovery and residual management.
Waste Reduction Roadmap (28MB)
Edmonton has developed a Waste Reduction Roadmap that identifies programs and regulations that will result in fewer materials becoming part of the waste stream over the next 3 years.
Single-use items, like cups or bags, are easily avoidable waste. Make a habit of choosing reusable options to do your part for the environment!
Bring your own cup, or get your drink to stay
Businesses following proper health and safety protocols can safely use reusable items. Each year in Edmonton, millions of single-use cups are thrown in the garbage. There is a huge opportunity to reduce waste by bringing your own reusable cup!
Use your reusable bags over and over again
Make a habit of remembering to bring your own reusable bags to retail and grocery stores. Keep your bags at a visible location by the door or in your car so you don’t forget!
Resources for Businesses
Encourage customers to reduce the waste of bags and single-use cups by setting up a “take a bag, leave a bag” station or a “mug library” or displaying posters at your business.
Waste Reduction Updates
Sign up to receive City of Edmonton waste reduction updates directly to your inbox.