Becoming Less

The Village Toy Share

Brittany tells us all about The Village Toy Exchange: a subscription program for toys so that your kid (or maybe you adults, if you're into Lego or board games) gets new toys each month without causing more manufacturing of toys, especially those made of plastic. 
 
Contact Brittany and The Village Toy Share at:
Website: www.thevillagetoyshare.ca
Instagram: @thevillagetoyshare
Email: info@thevillagetoyshare.ca
Call/text: 587-545-4273
 
Donate to support waste reduction: wastefree.ca
 
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

SUPs Ban

The Government of Canada just announced which single-use plastics (SUPs) will be banned in 2021! We discuss which items will be banned, how they chose these items, and, of course, go on a few tangents. 
 
Donate to support waste reduction efforts: wastefree.ca
 
Things we talk about:
Learn more about the ban:
Canada Climate Change Action Plan: bit.ly/31lQWw1
CBC News Article: bit.ly/37vP9bJ
Garbage-Wearing Dude: https://youtu.be/9vCstrZ7ilk
Bulk Barn Reusable Containers Program
https://www.bulkbarn.ca/reusable-container-program/
Contact them to tell them you want reusables back: https://www.bulkbarn.ca/en/Contact-Us 
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Halloween With More Masks Than Usual

Halloween is going to look a little different this year. So why not build some new habits! Let's try to make this Halloween the least wasteful yet!
 
Donate to support waste reduction efforts: wastefree.ca
 
Some things we talk about:
Costumes from thrift stores
Upcycling for decorations
Treat swaps instead of trick or treating
Focusing more on the "tricks" and the fun of it, rather than the candy
What we think will be the costume that everyone will dress up as this year
 
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Less Waste, More ______

Emily and Bizz talk about what we GAIN from reducing our waste!
 
Donate to support waste reduction efforts: wastefree.ca
 
Some things we talk about:
 
5:40 - The Good Neighbour App: thegoodneighbourapp.com
6:15 - Fruit Rescue: operationfruitrescue.org
7:45 - Apple Sauce Contraption:
  (PS: If anyone has one of these that they don't want anymore, please give/sell it to Bizz)
14:30 - MOOC: mooc.org, wiki for more info on MOOCs
 
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Bike Edmonton

Bike Edmonton is a registered non-profit society dedicated to making everyday cycling in Edmonton safer and more widespread by providing bicycle services, education, and civic representation. They promote the bicycle as a healthy, economical, and ecologically sound mode of transportation.
 
I chat with Alex, Bike Edmonton's manager at the downtown location. He gives us the lowdown on their history, mission and his role within it. 
 
Donate to support waste reduction efforts: wastefree.ca
 
Learn more about Bike Edmonton: bikeedmonton.ca
 
Email Bike Edmonton to inquire about volunteer opportunities: info@bikeedmonton.ca 
 
Find out more about Bike Cooperatives in general: bikecollectives.org
 
 
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram, or find them on Spotify)

Low Waste and School

Meet Emma, one of Waste Free Edmonton's volunteers. We chat about the joys and challenges of living a low waste lifestyle with kids and school. 
 
Donate and learn more about Waste Free Edmonton here: wastefree.ca
 
Music by Vita Chino (@vitachino on Instagram)

Cycling

Biking! Whether it's commuting to work or spending the day outside with friends, biking is a great option! We talk about our experiences with cycling in Edmonton and other things including:
 
Bike Edmonton: https://bikeedmonton.ca/
 
Strava: https://www.strava.com/
 
The Good Neighbour: https://www.thegoodneighbourapp.com/

Introduction to Minimalism

If you thought minimalism was just about white rooms with a single plant and no furniture, click link in bio to listen to this episode explaining minimalism from a low-waste lifestyle perspective. we talk about many topics under the clothes, laundry, to-do lists, Christmas, gifts... all a little too briefly, but it gives a good scope of what Minimalism is. We will likely come back to this topic again and again. ⁠
Some things we talk about include:
Marie Kondo - https://konmari.com/
The Minimalists - https://www.theminimalists.com/
Binding babies - https://doohikeydesigns.com/collections/binding-babies
Avocado Seed Art

Face Masks

Thank you to everyone choosing a reusable mask whenever possible. Your choice is reducing the environmental impact of COVID and making disposable medical masks more available for front-line workers who need them most. @WasteFreeYEG wants to showcase your reusable choice and encourage others to do the same. Help us spread the reusable message by posting a photo of yourself wearing your reusable masks and include the following message: 
 
“I am choosing to wear a reusable mask whenever possible to reduce the environmental impact of Covid-19 and to make disposable medical masks more available for front-line workers who need them the most. I purchased my reusable mask (locally) from ________  #YEGmasks #wastefreeyeg
 
I nominate @1 @2 @3 to repost this message along with a photo of themselves wearing their reusable mask.  Repost this using #YEGmasks and #wastefreeyeg and be entered to receive 2 upcycled reusable masks from @earthwarriorlifestyle for your personal use or request that @wastefreeyeg donate them to organizations in need, such as @themustardseedyeg or @bissellcentre.”
 
 
Pee meme:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CoronavirusMemes/comments/gaocga/wear_your_mask_the_urine_test/
Local Face Masks:
Earth Warrior Lifestyle - https://earthwarriorlifestyle.com/
House of Seven Collective- https://www.instagram.com/houseofsevencollective/
Little Bean YEG - https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LittleBeanYEG
Love Blush Creations - https://love-blush-creations.myshopify.com/
Mask Makers YEG - https://www.facebook.com/groups/581252932473211/
Everyday Mask - https://everydaymask.ca/
 
Mask making patterns and tutorials:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html
https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask
https://www.creativebloq.com/news/how-to-make-a-face-mask
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/5-free-diy-face-mask-tutorials-using-fabric
https://thecraftyquilter.com/2020/03/versatile-face-mask-pattern-and-tutorial/
No-Sew Face Masks:
https://sarahmaker.com/how-to-make-a-no-sew-face-mask-with-at-home-materials/
 
30 Day Minimalism Game:
https://www.theminimalists.com/resources/
Marie Kondo:
https://konmari.com/
I may have exaggerated the Star Trek thing just a tiny bit… As of 2016, Star Trek had six TV series and 12 feature films. If you were to watch all of those outings back to back, without stopping, it would take you 23 days, 16 hours, and 16 minutes. Since 2016, there have been three new series, Discovery, Picard, and Lower Decks, and also Short Treks, to boot!

6 Rs of Sustainability: Rot

Mark is sure to inspire the composter in you! Mark talks about different types of compost for anyone from the avid gardener to the apartment dweller. He digs into how to keep your compost progressing as quickly as possible whilst avoiding pests and smells. I encourage everyone to go visit Compost S'Cool in the heart of the river valley and check it out in person. It's such a beautiful place!
 
Donate to support waste reduction efforts at wastefree.ca.
 
Learn more about Compost S'Cool: https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/landscaping_gardening/compost-education.aspx
Visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CompostScool/