Action on Waste Publications

Additional documents can be found at the Information Centre and educational materials are available for students and teachers at the Environmental Education site.

For the Municipality

• Alberta's Municipal Waste Action Plan
  The Municipal Waste Action Plan details specific actions Alberta Environment will undertake in partnership with municipalities and other stakeholders to reduce the quantity of waste deposited in Alberta landfills.
• Municipal Planning Guide For a Successful Waste Reduction and Recycling Program
  A 64 page guide to help municipalities plan and operate their waste minimization and recycling programs.
  
• Sustainable Composting Options Study
  A report on options and opportunities for composting organic waste in Alberta communities.
  
• Recycling Market Profile Information
  Recycling market information is available for old newspaper, old cardboard, plastics, glass, metals, building material, concrete, asphalt and wood waste.
  
• Taking Action Through Vermicomposting and Taking Action Through Backyard Composting
  These two pamphlets can encourage homeowners to reduce waste through home composting and can be customized and printed for use by municipalities.
  
• Alberta Post-Consumer Plastics Recycling Strategy
  Represents a "Master Plan" for plastics recycling in Alberta by providing the necessary research, analysis and recommendations to enable all facets of the plastics recycling industry to work towards the common goals of plastic waste reduction and sustainable recycling
  
• Full Cost Analysis Guide for Municipal Waste Managers
  This tool kit provides a standardized formula to help elected officials and municipal managers make waste management decisions with all of the costs in front of them. In addition to documenting financial costs, this process also incorporates all social, environmental and health
  considerations into the decision making process. Ask for the "Demonstration Projects" supplement demonstrating the application of the process to landfill, recycling and composting projects.
  
• Household Hazardous Waste Round-Ups - A Guide for Municipalities 
  A guide for municipalities participating in the Household Hazardous Waste Program
  
• Leaf and Yard Waste Composting Manual
  This manual is intended to identify some of the factors that affect the success of long-term programs as well as provide technical information for managing leaf and yard waste composting.
  
• Mid-Scale Composting Manual 
  This manual is intended to identify some of the factors that affect the success of long-term programs as well as provide technical information for managing mid-scale composting facilities.
  

For Small Business and Industry

• Waste Minimization Fact Sheets
  This series of fact sheets outlines a number of reduce, reuse and recycle
  options to help small business and industry sectors minimize their wastes. There are 25 business sectors covered in all.
  
• Waste Minimization Manuals
  Detailed self-help guides have been prepared to assist selected industry sectors in developing waste minimization plans.
  

In The Home

• Saving the World Begins at Home
  A guide for managing wastes in our day to day activities, from recycling to managing household chemicals.
  
• More Cash In ... Less Trash Out
  Do you know which beverage containers are refundable under Alberta's beverage container return system? This brochure will tell you what refund you should receive for which containers.
  
• You Can Make a Difference - Reducing Packaging Waste
  Packaging is a significant component of the solid waste stream. This fact sheet contains quick tips on how to reduce packaging waste.
  
• The Household Hazardous Wastes Handbook
  A guide to the identification and proper disposal of potentially dangerous household wastes.
  
• Household Hazardous Wastes - brochure
  What are household hazardous wastes and what can I do about them?
  

For Schools

• NIMBY - To Consume or Conserve
  This board game explores the facts, issues and problems associated with waste management through trivia questions.
  
• Waste Watchers
  Booklet of activities on waste minimization and the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover.
  
• Let's Recycle
  This kit includes a teacher's guide to activities focused on the "Let's Recycle" poster which explores the 4Rs:Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.
  
• A Matter of Waste
  Solid waste production and management are explored by studying 26 scenes depicted on the "A Matter of Waste" poster. Activity sheets, readings and teacher's guide are provided as part of this kit.
  
• Composting Goes to School
  This wonderfully illustrated guidebook contains activities which convey the concepts of composting and vermicomposting as they relate to waste reduction.
  
• Focus on Waste Reduction 
  Presents an overview for just about everyone, teachers and students alike, on the subject of waste reduction in Alberta
  

General Interest

• Posters
  The vibrant posters, "A Matter of Waste" and "Let's Recycle", used in school kits are also available individually.
  
• Fridge Magnets
  Have the Recycle Info Line toll-free number handy every day!
  
• Recycle Decals
  Take Action on Waste RECYCLE Decals!
  
• Focus on Waste Reduction 
  Presents an overview for just about everyone, teachers and students alike, on the subject of waste reduction in Alberta.