Rethinking W aste Rethinking Waste
W aste – w hat is it? Webster’s 1913 Dictionary definition: “lying unused; unproductive; w orthless; valueless; refuse; rejected” Oxford 2017 English Dictionary definition: “elim inated or discarded as no longer useful or required”
How m uch w aste?
Rethinking W aste • W hat happens to waste when we eliminate, discard or throw it away? • W hat im pact does waste have on social and ecological systems of which we are a part? • Is it possible to change and rethink our waste practices - and how?
W ill it ever go aw ay? Determine the amount of time for waste to break down into simple elements or compounds that can be returned to the atmosphere, water and/ or soil. I nstructions: • Match each waste item card with a time card • Time cards represent the approximate time for that item to degrade or decompose under ideal 1 mo mont nth - conditions. • Use the answer sheet to check your 2 y 2 yea ears rs results.
W aste Tim eline Next steps: create a waste timeline in lunchrooms or cafeterias
Sorting W aste Using the same waste item cards, sort items into their proper waste stream, e.g., recycling, organics, landfill or special diversion program
W aste Sorting Tools “ Bad Things Happen” Posters Next Steps: order posters to help with proper sorting practices of waste, recycling, and organics.
I m portance of sorting w aste
I m pacts of w aste disposal Degradation of land, w ater and air Methane & transportation impacting clim ate change Leachate - water pollution Biodiversity loss e.g., plastic and microbeads, toxins Location of landfills and other waste streams – social/ econom ic costs Muncipal Taxes - sorting, labour, transportation, long term care of landfills
I m pact of w aste production
Facts Change • Facts alone don’t change minds • Facts can lead to paralysis • Advocacy for facts unintentionally can lead to hostility and polarization
How can w e change our w aste practices?
1 . I dentify incentives and barriers
I ncentives and Barriers Changing W aste Practices Driving Forces Restraining Forces The world becom es what we teach Cause and effect are far apart We all have a unique capacity to Waste systems are com plex and contribute to a sustainable future ever changing Waste system is complex- ever moving target, difficult to make People have fundamentally progress different perspectives, interests Waste has social, ecological and and m indsets econom ic im plications for Consumption is based not only on individuals, schools and communities needs but w ants - e.g., social status Individuals have lim ited control on Waste is a real world problem - an production, procurement and opportunity for real solutions disposal systems
2 . Addressing Barriers Moving from current state to desired state • Mindset • Motivation • Mobilization • Mainstream
Mindset How do w e m ove forw ard together? “Successful change comes from a real understanding another’s needs so fully that you can reshape the future together.” ~ Peter Senge Understanding mental models
Mindset - using a diversity w heel • Begin with understanding oneself • Recognize and respect similarities and differences. Avoid thinking of others as enemies • Suspend personal perspectives tem porarily to understand fears, concerns and what truly matters to others
Mindset strategies Understanding w hat m atters Build trust and relationships - Hold our beliefs everyone has lightly - suspend something of our story to value to deeply listen contribute Ask – “How do you see this Have a real situation, w hat conversation , m atters to not a sales pitch you ?”
Motivation How do w e start new behaviours? • What will genuinely m otivate other people, our schools, our community? • How might we start or move our waste programs forward?
Motivation Starting new behaviours Make it understood Make it rew arding Do we know what to do? Do we Do we get some sort of rew ard believe its relevant to us? (recognition) for doing it? Do Are our fears and concerns costs of not doing it motivate acknowledged? behaviour? Make it desirable Make it easy Does this fit with our actual or Do we know what to do and feel aspirational self im age? confident doing it? Does it Does it fit with how w e relate to w ork w ith w hat is already others? successful ? E.g., Responsible people recycle
Mobilization How do w e m ove from individual to w hole school and com m unity participation?
Mobilization W ays to help others stick w ith the new behaviours Make Be a coach Nudge, prom pt com m itm ents and encourage Help people make to goals easy, small changes Build participants that lead to bigger Get commitments and habits and confidence successes pledges Build netw orks Give feedback Celebrate and supports Tell them when its Link participants to Celebrate and working. Coach others, internal and reinforce ongoing participants so they external resources successes can get it right and supports
Mainstream I n w hat w ays can w e rethink w aste and do better w ith less?
Mainstream Making responsible w aste practices part of the culture Upcycle and Participate in Learn about reclaim local and global the issues initiatives Convert non- Global Competencies recyclable materials Waste reduction week STEM into new products- Clean Toronto Action projects it’s not w aste until Earth Day its w asted. Share, repair Use reusable Use recycled and reuse and durable products Promote clothing, Avoid single use E.g., Husky 100% book, and costume, items. Make dishes recycled paper swaps. Promote use and cutlery available Encourage use of of Arts Junction, at all events. GOOS paper. Trading Post etc.
Change takes tim e Waste is a complex, dynamic system that is ever changing. Change requires a shared vision and mission. Next steps: 1 . I dentify your barriers - change one small step at a time 2 . Decide w hich strategy to apply: • explore mindsets • increase motivation • support mobilization • make responsible waste practices mainstream 3 . Plan strategically
Thank-you
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