Toronto Catholic District School Board

Zero Waste

What a lot of Garbage we make! Seriously, have you looked up some of the stats? You can scroll down below to read about it but think elephants...lots and lots of elephants is how much garbage we're producing!

It started on Friday, Jan 8 when Mrs Stoner, Mr. Fernandes and Allison Gacad (TCDSB student trustee and Gr. 12 student at St. John Paul II) asked us to consider three questions.

It was the third question that led to us looking at our own habits. Can we achieve zero waste? Well we started by looking at our own garbage. It wasn't pretty.

We found some stuff in the wrong place so let's start by diverting properly - recyclables and compostables in the right place (blue box and green bin). But what about the packaging? Well that's the next step. We need to find ways to connect with the businesses who make the packaging, the government who can do something about it (We're hearing about Bill 151) and environmental groups who are leading the fight.

You can see some of our conversation below

https://youtu.be/KcGbkjWAmnU - what kills the environment?

https://youtu.be/inkcLhwPKZ0 imagining some phone calls to the businesses

https://youtu.be/seG6CSgoTRk I wonder what an eco tax would look like

Our project is starting with the three questions above and we're not sure where it will take us, but stay tuned to this page.

While we're learning new stuff, you can read what some past students have done on zero waste - a journey that first started in 2002!

https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/environment/PastInitiatives/ZeroWaste/Pages/default.aspx

Jan 11 - the journey continues

Students went home and thought about questions they wanted to ask. We went through the questions and found 7 different areas about which the Gr. 5/6 class wanted to learn more.

You can access our padlets to see what we're learning in each area. And if you're checking this on Jan 11, hey give us a few days, we're just starting!

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowastediversion This is the page to find out what goes where in terms of garbage, blue box and green bin.

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowastepregarbage This is where you can find out what life used to be like before someone came to pick up our compost, recycling and garbage.

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowastewhereitgoes Ever wonder where those trucks take your stuff, well so do we!

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowastestats Lots of stats out there. If you're looking for facts, visit this page.

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowasteworkingtogether We need consumers, businesses and government all doing their part and here are some suggestions.

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowastepackaging We want to keep eating our chips but the packaging is real problem. Help!

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowasteexperiments Maybe we can experiment to find a way to get better packaging.

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowasteprogress We're hoping to share some progress with you in the months ahead.

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowasteworldwide Clearly, we're not the only city/province/country thinking about zero waste. Here's what's happening in other parts of the world.

http://padlet.com/StSylvester/zerowasteburningquestions There is so much to learn on this topic. Here are some of our current questions

Jan 18 - We've come to realize that packaging is a big problem. Take a look at your garbage and it's the majority of what you likely find in there. Below is some of what WE found in our garbages at home.