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 8 Comment

• Re: Reuse options for Ice Rink Glass

  2016-11-10 10:30:22 UTC

  At one of our waste management facilities, a team is doing a pilot project on leachate treatment and I'm pretty sure the greenhouse there was built, at least in part, with reused ice rink glass. (but don't quote me on that).
  
  Lauren Minuk
  Public Program Coordinator
  City of Calgary
  Canada
  

• "It costs too much" Objections

  2016-05-27 15:52:43 UTC

  Hi all,
  
  I'm going to undertake some research about how to counter when people are convinced that something is too expensive (especially before they know the cost). In my experience it seems to be an easy fall back for folks when they don't want to do something (in this case, pay for recycling programs).
  
  In case it's helpful, the context I'm focusing on is recycling and composting for businesses as well as public events. I find the same hesitation in both groups in general and even if you tell someone they can save money by recycling (as long as they do it well, of course), I find it difficult to counter the suggestion since I of course don't know the ins and outs of their financial situation.
  
  If any of this isn't clear, let me know! If I find anything exciting I'll be sure to share with anyone who expresses interest as well.
  
  Thanks in advance!
  
  -Lauren
  
  Lauren Minuk
  Public Program Coordinator
  City of Calgary
  Canada

• Subsidizing or training ICI generators on waste audits

  2015-05-04 10:27:04 UTC

  Hi there!
  
  I'm working on best practice research looking at municipalities (or any level of government) that either subsidize third party waste assessments or audits or train ICI generators to do their own audits. I've got a few leads from some small American municipalities that I think do training (I'd be happy to share the list of resources with others if you're interested once I know what they're doing!), but I'm wondering if anyone here might have seen anything like this out there.
  
  Thanks!
  
  Lauren Minuk
  Public Program Coordinator
  City of Calgary
  Canada
  

• Re: "Climate Change" with respect to waste

  2014-03-21 15:23:48 UTC

  Thanks Ruben, that's very helpful!
  
  I think that being in Calgary makes this question difficult for a few reasons, mainly that being an oil town I feel like people may be more familiar with it because they work in oil but might simultaneously be sick of hearing about it; and that the flood was a bit of a double edged sword in terms of it being more obvious to many people that climate change is here, but I also don't want to "profit" off of the loss of my community.
  
  I think that the phrase you suggest is a great idea because it can help us gauge where people are and make a comment about it while also not having our whole "sales pitch" (as it were) based on it.
  
  Thanks so much also for the referenced articles - I'm just off to read them now!
  
  Thanks,
  
  -Lauren
  
  Lauren Minuk
  Green Workplace Consultant
  Green Calgary
  Canada
  www.greencalgary.org
  

• Re: Compostable Serviceware Requirements for Event Food Vendors

  2014-03-20 19:23:16 UTC

  Hey Katy,
  
  I'd echo a lot of what Ruben said, especially the volunteer supervision of bins. That is absolutely crucial! Something else I've found that really helps is having signage with pictures as well as words.
  
  I'm a fan of all compostable because then you can train your volunteers that every single piece of foodware from the event is compostable. The fewer exceptions, the better.
  
  I also think it helps to clarify that you want *certified* compostable products and make sure that the festival doesn't use the word biodegradable, as biodegradable products may not actually compost (greenwashing is RAMPANT in foodware!). I also experienced some success with checking in with the vendors to see what kind of foodware they were purchasing or had purchased in advance so that you aren't standing there the day of trying to find another option.
  
  Finally, something that I've found effective is being able to shut vendors down if they haven't followed the rules. Of course this isn't the situation you want but it can be an effective "threat" if it comes to it.
  
  Hope that helps!
  
  Lauren Minuk
  Green Workplace Consultant
  Green Calgary
  Canada
  www.greencalgary.org
  

• "Climate Change" with respect to waste

  2014-03-20 19:16:52 UTC

  Hi all,
  
  I've been having some discussions with a coworker about whether or not to include "climate change" language as a selling feature or a measurable when it comes to waste assessments. The two arguments are as follows:
  
  a) waste can be tracked with respect to GHGs and this is a common form of measurement. Also, waste reductions can be sold as GHG credits to organizations that emit more GHGs than they're allowed according to Alberta's Climate Change Emissions Management Act.
  b) waste could be treated as its own issue for two main reasons: i) some people aren't convinced by "climate change" and whether they're a climate change denier or it just isn't really something that's on their radar there's no sense in fighting over it with them and ii) waste is already an accessible subject and people can relate to it for a variety of reasons (e.g. land stewardship, the craziness of disposable products, cost of disposal, etc.)
  
  I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or is aware of any scholarly research that looks at how effective the term "climate change" is in terms of winning people over.
  
  I hope I haven't been too obvious with the side that I sit on! Also, for context we're in Calgary, AB.
  
  Thanks so much!
  
  Lauren Minuk
  Green Workplace Consultant
  Green Calgary
  Canada
  

• Re: Reusable Mugs for Public Coffee Stations

  2013-12-08 10:22:59 UTC

  Thanks so much for your feedback! I think my best course of action at this point will be to ask my contact at the store what his thoughts are and what the barriers are that he can think of, especially in terms of "selling" the idea to upper management. They might actually like it of branded mugs get stolen - that way their brand gets out in to the community a bit!
  
  Thanks again everyone, this is super helpful!
  
  Lauren Minuk
  Green Workplace Consultant
  Green Calgary
  Canada
  

• Reusable Mugs for Public Coffee Stations

  2013-12-04 19:26:45 UTC

  Hey all,
  
  I'm working with an appliance store and I'd like to suggest that they replace their paper cups for their coffee station with ceramic mugs. Has anyone ever done this with this kind of thing (a car place coffee station or something might be similar as well).
  
  I'm not too, too concerned about cost (though they might be - I realize this will be a bit of an up-front investment), I just had thought originally that I might suggest compostable cups, but they still have to finish their coffee in the store if they were to compost them (the store is considering introducing an organics program). I'm wondering if offering ceramic mugs as well as paper cups so that people at least have the choice.
  
  I guess what I'm most wondering is just if anyone has had experience with this kind of idea at a free/public/unsupervised coffee station and how it worked. I'm a little bit worried about theft and I guess someone will also have to make rounds every once in a while to pick up the dirty mugs. I guess the other thing I'm thinking is that people might be disappointed they can't take their coffee with them when they leave (not sure how long people typically shop in a store like this, although the employee there might know), but I'm thinking that some informational signage might help as well as the possibility of offering paper cups as well.
  
  Sorry for the disorganized thoughts - just wondering if anyone has had any experience with something like this!
  
  Thanks! :)
  
  Lauren Minuk
  Green Workplace Consultant
  Green Calgary
  Canada

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