Nova Scotia's Waste Reduction Week: a guide of curbside giveaways to repair cafes

Waste Reduction Week offers creative ways for Nova Scotians to extend the life of their belongings and reduce waste entering landfills.

Kathryn Bremner, programs and development officer for Divert Nova Scotia, says the goal of Waste Reduction Week, Oct. 19-25, is to educate and establish best practices year round.

“Waste Reduction Week really is a celebration of all things waste reduction, and we usually focus on a few topics and events that happen during the week.

“But, really, it’s all things that should be put into practice year round to have an actual impact.”

The week features activities like a curbside giveaway, repair cafes and workshops to help manage waste reduction.

Repair cafes have become a popular way for residents to learn how to fix items such as clothing, small appliances, electronics and furniture to keep them out of the landfill.

The workshops are run by volunteer fixers, who assist in the repair of items and teach new skills. Three repair cafe events are scheduled during the week.

“These types of events are to encourage people to think about repairing first versus buying brand-new items because a lot of times it is an easy fix but people just don’t have the skills.”

Divert Nova Scotia promotes a circular economy that focuses on extending the life of belongings through swapping, sharing, thrifting and repairing to reduce waste entering landfills.

Bremner said a circular economy benefits the environment but also has other perks.

“There is an economic benefit, a social benefit for having these repair cafes and swaps and helping out your neighbour and sharing items.”

An events guide to all the programming throughout the province can be found on the Divert Nova Scotia website.

The annual curbside giveaway will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18, rain or shine across the Halifax Regional Municipality. The event allows residents to give away usable household items for free.

You can place clean, reusable items at the curb in front of your home and clearly mark them as free. Items not intended for the event should be kept away from the curb to avoid confusion.

Residents can promote available items and plan ahead by using the online curbside giveaway map. Participants are encouraged to pin item locations and include descriptions to help others find items easily.

All unclaimed items must be removed from the curb by dusk on Sunday, Oct. 18.