Zero Waste Ambassador Program

Program details

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  What is involved

  The Zero Waste Ambassador Program is designed to support waste diversion in apartments, condos, co-ops, rowhouses, and townhouse complexes.

  Our outreach program trains volunteers who live in the building to engage fellow residents through education and recycling initiatives to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill. 

  Ambassador responsibilities

  • Communicating diversion and zero waste information to residents
  • Improving the garbage and recycling room to create a welcoming space for residents to sort their waste
  • Engaging with residents and building management to identify barriers and implement solutions 
  • Encouraging residents to take steps towards a zero-waste lifestyle 

  Volunteer involvement and expectations

  There is no cost to join the program. We will provide training and basic materials such as letter templates, posters, and signage. The building management team will be responsible for funding more complex waste-reduction initiatives.

  After the initial training, we recommend that ambassadors volunteer an average of 2 hours a week. 

  There is no single approach to volunteering in the Zero Waste Ambassador Program. Your involvement can range from simple tasks like putting up posters in the garbage and recycling room to more involved activities, such as organizing a free swap or collecting household batteries for recycling.

  Support for ambassadors

  We will provide:

  • An assessment of your building, identifying waste management issues and strategies to address them
  • Educational materials such as posters, guides, and stickers
  • Regular communications on waste reduction topics
  • Opportunities to meet other ambassadors and share knowledge
  • Assistance with activity planning
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  Why participate

  In Metro Vancouver, almost 70% of all garbage from multi-unit residential buildings could have been recycled or composted.

  Environmental benefits

  Separating recyclables and organics from your garbage will help reduce:

  • Burden on the landfill
  • Greenhouse gas emissions
  • Water and soil pollution 

  Financial benefits

  Waste reduction efforts can lead to significant cost savings for your building by:

  • Reducing the size of your building's waste container
  • Decreasing pickup frequency 

  Social benefits

  Being an ambassador allows you to: 

  • Get to know your neighbours
  • Increase your waste reduction knowledge 
  • Share waste reduction tips with other residents
  • Build a culture of zero waste
  • Develop leadership and communication skills
  • Support Zero Waste 2040 goal
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  Who can participate

  Requirements

  • You must be at least 16 years old
  • Live in a multi-unit residential building in Vancouver

  Information icon You may require your strata or landlord’s assistance. We recommend you check with your building management before applying. 

  We welcome more than 1 ambassador from the same building or complex. Multiple ambassadors may choose to split the work or take on larger waste-reduction initiatives in the building.

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  How to become an ambassador

  1. Submit an application.
  2. Attend a training workshop.
  3. Do a building assessment (optional).
  4. Attend a planning and implementation session (optional).