Zero Waste Ambassadors at an indoor engagement event featuring volunteers and guests with infographic presentation boards and display tables.

Zero Waste Ambassador Program

I am so happy to be involved with the City’s Zero Waste Ambassador Program. I appreciate the flexibility and support that the program offers.

Ashleen, zero waste ambassador since January 2023

Are you at least 16 years of age and live in an apartment, condo, or other multi-unit residential building in Vancouver? Are you interested in reducing waste and improving recycling at your building?

Become an ambassador and help us reach our goal of becoming a zero-waste community by 2040.

Program details

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
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
Who can participate
Requirements
- You must be at least 16 years old
- Live in a multi-unit residential building in Vancouver
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.
How to become an ambassador
1. Submit an application.
2. Attend a training workshop.
3. Do building assessment.
4. Attend a planning and implementation session.