Keeping things out of the landfill also makes the community more resilient, as people in Tahsis learned last month.
In a collaboration between Captain Meares School, Comox Strathcona Waste Management, Ocean Legacy and the Village of Tahsis, over 50 people came out to Tahsis Waste Days to participate in a series of different waste-reducing initiatives.
The event took place in mid-April, and included a repair cafe, clothing swap and a refresh of the Tahsis Free Store.
“One of the highlights of the event was the Repair Cafe, where more than 30 items were brought in for repair, with over half of them successfully fixed. This not only extended the lifespan of these items but also promoted the culture of repair and reuse,” said Tina Willard-Stepan, CSWM Educator.” The sense of community spirit was demonstrated throughout the event, with the Seniors Centre generously providing lunch for volunteers, participation by students from Captain Meares School and other residents within the community.”
The Repair Cafe took place on April 11.
During the clothing swap, hundreds of pieces of clothing were exchanged, reducing the demand for new garments and keeping old ones out of the landfill.
Captain Mears students and volunteers also led a beach cleanup, removing 10 cubic metres of metal and debris from the shoreline. All recyclable materials were processed through the CSWM depot with the help of the Ocean Legacy program. In the last two years, CSWM has partnered with the Ocean Legacy program to recycle more than 12 tonnes of material from the shorelines in the area, as well as legacy equipment from the marine industry sector. Ocean Legacy helps by “providing essential infrastructure to divert these plastic resources from the landfill and reduce oceanic pollution,” a release from CSWM says.
The following day, April 12, students from the middle and senior classes stepped up to renovate the village’s Free Store. A new paint job, redecoration and a restock of new items enhanced its appeal to the community.
“Tahsis Waste Days shows the power of collaboration and grassroots efforts in promoting sustainability and resilience,” said a CSWM release. “By coming together to address waste management challenges, Tahsis is setting a shining example for communities everywhere.”
The CSWM is proud to support community groups in their efforts to build skills and reduce waste through repair. To learn about organizing, volunteering or participating in a repair café in your community, or for more information visit: www.cswm.ca/education/repair-cafes.
RELATED: Right to repair a great way to keep things out of the landfill
SRD Board wants province to stabilize slopes leading in to Zeballos