(Barrie, ON) – The City is recognizing October as Circular Economy Month, and October 20 to 26 as Waste Reduction Week. One way the City supports a circular economy (a system where items are kept in circulation as long as possible) is by educating residents on ways to minimize and better manage their waste.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Waste Reduction Week, City staff will have a display booth set up for informal, drop-in information sessions at the Barrie Public Library’s Downtown Branch (60 Worsley St.) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each day will focus on a theme relevant to waste reduction or the circular economy:
Monday, October 20 – “Meet the Landfill”
- Staff will highlight Barrie’s diversion programs at the landfill, including mattress recycling, shingle recycling, e-waste, and batteries.
Wednesday, October 22 – E-Waste
- Learn more about e-waste recycling, repair cafés, and Battery Collection Week.
Friday, October 24 – Food Waste Reduction
- Staff will share helpful tips on how to reduce food waste.
The City will also have an informational booth set up at the Barrie Farmers’ Market on Saturday, October 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for “Sort Smart Saturday”, where residents can learn about properly sorting waste for collection.
The annual campaign for Waste Reduction Week in Canada began in 2001 by the Circular Innovation Council, a national, not-for-profit. In 2022, the Circular Innovation Council launched Circular Economy Month, an expanded program to amplify Canada’s knowledge of the circular economy.
For more information on the City’s circular economy framework and ways you can support a circular economy, visit barrie.ca/CircularEconomy. To learn more about reducing food waste, single-use plastics, and textile waste, visit barrie.ca/ReThinkWaste.