Volume 5 | November 2021
Waterloo Region's newsletter about
waste, water and the environment
Trick-or-Treaters have gone, so what about that pumpkin? 
Don’t put pumpkins in the garbage; let them be reused to make compost! First, remove any candles or adornments. Then put that jack-o-lantern out for collection. Here's how:

Yard waste: If it is your yard waste week, place the whole pumpkin beside yard waste bags.

Green bin: Place it whole on top or beside the green bin or cut it up and put it inside.

You can always use the Waste Whiz website or app to check how to recycle or dispose of an item.
Free webinar to help boost your home's water efficiency
If you’re looking to cut back your water use – and maybe save a little money too – check out the “Top 10 Ways to Save on Your Water Bill” webinar.

This info session counts down the most common ways to save water at home. It was presented live Oct. 20, 2021 by the Region of Waterloo’s Water Efficiency team and Reep Green Solutions.

Even if you know a lot about water conservation, this information will serve as a good refresher about things you should consider, and you may even learn some new tips and tricks.
Don’t forget, the Region of Waterloo’s free WET Program can also help homeowners with above-average water use. Apply today for a free consultation.
Get to know your groundwater
We spend a lot of time with groundwater. Groundwater resides deep under the ground we walk on and is the water we drink, cook and wash with and so much more.

Groundwater – it’s worth protecting. Check out this video and also the I Am Groundwater blog.
Is your business winter-ready?
Using too much salt to clear ice and snow or using it at times when it’s not required will damage our environment, including our community’s drinking water. For commercial properties, salt can damage concrete, kill landscapes and destroy flooring and carpets. Some studies have shown salt use can reduce the lifespan of your infrastructure by half. To stop salting completely might not be an option but there are actions we can all take to use less.
Use this infographic for actions businesses can take to see if your property has the right winter maintenance plan. Then visit the Region of Waterloo website for free resources to help you get started.

Click here to see the full-size version of the infographic below:
Lots of ways to learn about local waste programs
In-person waste presentations are now virtual! The Region of Waterloo offers online opportunities to learn about our waste programs and services.
  • Schools: Invite us to into your classroom for an online Curbside Chat about a variety of waste-related topics.
  • Community groups and businesses: Is it time for a Trash Talk during your coffee event or work Lunch ‘n Learn? The waste industry is changing, are our sorting efforts working?

Further details are on the Region's website. All presentations are free of charge.
We're dishing out water-saving tips for your kitchen!
Did you know Canadians are some of the world’s heaviest water users? Changing our habits can be hard. But small efforts add up over time. Try this next time you’re staring at a pile of dirty dishes to save water and energy:

  • Skip the rinse, grab a green bin: For extra-icky dishes, many of us pre-rinse in the sink. Instead, scrape those scraps into the green bin. It saves water and means less organic matter has to be removed from our wastewater. If you must, a dishwasher’s rinse feature will use less water.
  • Use that machine: Modern dishwashers use less water than washing by hand. Full loads are most efficient, but even partial loads could save you water.
  • Hand wash with care: If you do wash dishes in the sink, fill the sink partially with soapy water rather than keeping the faucet on.
  • Air it out: Skip the dishwasher’s heated drying cycle and air dry instead to save energy.
  • Invest in efficiency: If you’re using an older dishwasher, consider upgrading to one with the Energy Star label. These modern machines use less water (as little as 11 litres per cycle) and electricity.

Get more water conservation ideas for your home from this Region of Waterloo tips sheet.
Do you know what these signs mean?
Have you seen these white and blue signs?

Drinking Water Protection Zone signs remind us of the importance of protecting drinking water. Now it is easy to find these signs throughout Ontario with the help of Conservation Ontario’s interactive map.
Conservation Ontario is a non-profit working to protect and manage local watersheds across the province.

You will see lots of these signs in Waterloo Region because we rely on groundwater for our drinking water. You can visit the Region of Waterloo website for ideas on how you can help protect our local drinking water.
It's Fall! Crisp air, bright colours... and yard waste too
The Region's seasonal yard waste curbside collection program collects about 20,000 metric tonnes each year. We reuse this material to make compost and wood chips.

Watch how the yard waste is ground and set in windrows at the Cambridge waste management site. The compost and wood chips are then given back to our residents for their yards and gardens.

Yard waste collection is soon ending, take note of the final collection dates:

  • Cambridge and Waterloo, week of Nov. 22 to 26.
  • Kitchener and Townships, week of Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.
Did you miss Doors Open? Visit this 120-year-old building!
Each September, Doors Open Waterloo Region invites our community to visit interesting buildings and heritage sites.
Many of these places are not regularly open to the public. This year’s event went digital with many interesting sites, including the Region of Waterloo’s William Street Pumping Station.

In 1899, the Town of Waterloo Water Commission built the William Street Pumping Station and three groundwater wells. In 1989, the City of Waterloo designated it as a heritage building for its historic and architectural value. Today, the location is still an important part of the municipal drinking water supply.

Check out the video to go back in time at William Street.
A new way to learn what's going on "Around the Region"
We're building a world-class community that improves the lives of everyone in Waterloo Region. You can see how in "Around the Region," a new e-newsletter telling your stories.
 
Our first edition launched in October, and the second issue will be out in early November! Click here to subscribe. You can also visit our Around the Region website to read past stories about how we're building this great community together.
Do you know someone who would enjoy Environews? Forward this email to them. New readers can sign up here.
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