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.
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 closed for 2025.
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.
2024 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.
Millhurst Community League - Bokashi and Vermicomposting Education
The Sakaw Gardens Master Composter used the grant to further education efforts and build a worm tower composter program to help give residents hands-on experience.
Baturyn Community League - Clothing Swap
The Baturyn Community League’s Clothing Swap event allows patrons to donate and swap unwanted family clothing with other residents.
Waste Free Edmonton - Sustainability Social
The Sustainability Social aims to teach participants about textile waste and solutions from panel experts. Participants will leave with the skills, knowledge and confidence to repair and extend the life of the clothes they already own.
Sustainable Lawn Care
Waste Free Edmonton created a community-led initiative to educate Edmontonians about the negative impacts of lawns and lawn care, as well as the benefits of converting them into regenerative spaces that enhance biodiversity, carbon sequestration and local food security.
Bike Edmonton - TuneUp/WasteDown
TuneUp/WasteDown teaches community volunteers bicycle maintenance and tune-up skills, who put their skills to use running bicycle maintenance and tune-up sessions in their local neighbourhoods.
Explore Edmonton
Explore Edmonton is creating a waste reduction guide for both of its venues. The goal is to provide resources that enable managers to initiate a waste conversation with event planners and help reduce waste ahead of events.
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.