Islanders challenged to reduce food waste during Waste Reduction Week

Many Islanders will likely be shocked to know that each person in Canada is responsible for about 85 kilograms of food waste each year, that food waste and loss is responsible for roughly eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, and the amount of food we waste is growing. 

October 19-25, 2020 is Waste Reduction Week across Canada and October 23 is “Food Waste Friday. The Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change, Island Waste Management Corporation, and the City of Charlottetown invite all Islanders to take part in a five-day food waste challenge to help people get a better understanding of where their food waste comes from and how to make changes that reduce food waste.

“Waste Reduction Week is an opportunity for all of us to take action in our day-to-day lives. Spending time with your family or colleagues learning how to reduce food waste is a great way to support the environment."

- Environment, Water and Climate Change Minister Natalie Jameson

Islanders can visit Take Charge Action for Climate Change to take the food waste challenge and be guided through five days of activities that include:

• learning about the issue of food waste;
• tracking one’s food waste and leftovers;
• storing fruits and vegetables properly so they last longer;
• getting creative with leftovers; and
• thinking about food safety and expiry dates

“Reducing the material we dispose of is important every day of the year,” says the CEO of Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC), Gerry Moore. “During Waste Reduction Week, we can build on PEI’s waste diversion successes and focus on reducing food waste.  Together, let’s change our behaviour to cut down on the amount of ‘good food’ that ends up in compost.”

A study by Dalhousie University shows an increase in household food waste by 13.5 per cent since the start of the pandemic. IWMC confirmed that there was an increase in domestic food waste on Prince Edward Island by roughly 1 kg per month since the start of the pandemic. 

“We all have a responsibility to do our part to reduce our impacts on the environment,” said Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown. “Participating in the food waste challenge is a great and easy way to make a difference. We also encourage the public to check out the City’s social media channels for education resources, challenges, incentives and prizes available during Waste Reduction Week.”

Islanders can pledge to complete the #FoodWasteFridayPEI challenge on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #FoodWasteFridayPEI from October 19 - 28, 2020 and be entered to win local prizes from the three sponsors.

Media contacts:
Leanne Ritchie
Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change
902-314-0134
lpritchie@gov.pe.ca 

Jennifer Gavin
Senior Communications Officer
City of Charlottetown
902-629-4102
jgavin@charlottetown.ca