By Spencer Sterritt

Nanaimo aiming for Zero Waste at Hometown Hockey

Feb 26, 2017 | 4:41 AM

NANAIMO — Normally an event the size of Hometown Hockey leaves between five and seven tonnes of waste behind.

But in Nanaimo, they’re hoping to significantly reduce the number.

According to Charlotte Davis, manager of sanitation, recycling and public works with the City of Nanaimo, they’ll replace the 30 litter bins in Maffeo Sutton Park with three zero waste sites over the weekend.

“It’s a real world-class event and we decided that requires world-class waste sorting too,” she said.

Any garbage dropped off by attendees at the waste sites will be sorted by volunteers into organics, recycling, refundables and garbage. All the vendors at the park were asked to use only compostable and recyclable items, not including Styrofoam.

whale rescue

Killer whale calf trapped in B.C. swims out of lagoon

47m ago

permanent home

'We're hugely grateful:' Nanaimo Men's Shed group finds a place to call home

4h ago

Making an impact

Nanaimo woman publishes books to open awareness of neurodiverse children

17h ago

Davis said reducing their environmental impact will be difficult at first.

“I don’t think we’re going to do perfect and achieve zero waste but aiming for that target is ideal,” she said.

This is the first time the zero waste sites will be used. Davis said the rollout is considered a test run for future events since they now have kits, gazebos and banners available for anyone running events on city sites.

“This is the first of what we hope is many zero waste events for the city,” she said.

Proceeds from the refundable bottles will be donated to the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation.

Spencer.sterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit