Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover Waste: A 4R’s Guide For the First Nations Communities of Quebec and Labrador First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover Waste: A 4R’s Guide For the First Nations Communities of Quebec and Labrador First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute March 2008 REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE AND RECOVER WASTE: A 4R’s Guide - For the First Nations Communities of Quebec and Labrador First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute (FNQLSDI) 250, Place Chef Michel-Laveau, bureau 101 Wendake, Quebec, G0A 4V0 EDITING Daniel Dickey, FNQLSDI REVISION Daniel Dickey, FNQLSDI ENGLISH TRANSLATION TeXtoLab PRODUCTION NOTES Printed on Rolland Environ100 Copy, a paper containing 100% post-consumer fibres, certified Ecologo and processed Chlorine Free, manufactured using biogas energy. Cover and tabs printed on Rolland Hitech30 and Rolland Opaque30, papers containing 30% post-consumer fibres, certified Environmental Choice and manufactured using biogas energy. Case Binder is made of 100% recyclable Polypropylene, manufactured with up to 85% recycled material and needing 30% less raw material to produce than regular vinyl binders. DESIGN AND PRINTING ReproCité Reproduction of this document for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Reproduction for non-commercial purposes can be allowed with the specific authorization of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable development Institute (FNQLSDI). TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD.................................................................................................................................................................................... V INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................................ VII Quebec Policy for the Management of Residual Materials 1998-2008................................................................................... x PRESENTATION OF THE GUIDE ............................................................................................................................................... XIII THE 4R’S THE LIFE CYCLE............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT......................................................................................................................................................... 5 CALCULATE YOUR CO2 EMISSIONS.................................................................................................................................................. 7 LOGOS, SYMBOLS AND CERTIFICATIONS.......................................................................................................................................... 8 1. REDUCE 1.1 WHY REDUCE?......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 WHAT CAN I REDUCE? .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.2.1 Plastic bags ................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2.2 Over-packaging ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 1.3 ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION.............................................................................................................................................. 11 1.3.1 Walking........................................................................................................................................................................ 11 1.3.2 Bicycling ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12 1.3.3 Carpooling ................................................................................................................................................................... 12 1.3.4 Canoe vs. motor boat .................................................................................................................................................. 14 1.3.5 Electric snowmobile..................................................................................................................................................... 14 1.3.6 And what about planes? .............................................................................................................................................. 14 1.4 REDUCE YOUR GAS CONSUMPTION .......................................................................................................................................... 14 1.5 REDUCE YOUR WATER USE ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 1.5.1 What can you do to reduce your water use? ............................................................................................................... 19 1.5.2 Bottled water................................................................................................................................................................ 21 1.5.3 Dry toilets..................................................................................................................................................................... 22 1.5.4 Rainwater collectors .................................................................................................................................................... 24 1.5.5 Green roofs.................................................................................................................................................................. 25 1.6 CLEANING PRODUCTS............................................................................................................................................................. 28 1.6.1 Environmentally friendly recipes.................................................................................................................................. 31 1.7 LAWN AND FLOWER BED CARE................................................................................................................................................. 36 1.8 TIPS AND TRICKS .................................................................................................................................................................... 38 1.9 THE SEMAINE QUÉBÉCOISE DE RÉDUCTION DES DÉCHETS......................................................................................................... 40 1.10 FAIR TRADE.......................................................................................................................................................................... 40 2. REUSE 2.1 WHY REUSE?........................................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 WHAT CAN I REUSE?................................................................................................................................................................. 4 3. RECYCLE 3.1 WHY RECYCLE? ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 3.2 WHAT CAN YOU RECYCLE?........................................................................................................................................................ 4 3.2.1 Paper and cardboard..................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.2.2 Plastic.......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.3 Glass ........................................................................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.4 Metal............................................................................................................................................................................ 17 3.2.5 Debris from construction, renovation and demolition................................................................................................... 20 4. RECOVER 4.1 WHAT CAN YOU RECOVERED?................................................................................................................................................... 3 4.1.1 Electronic devices.......................................................................................................................................................... 4 4.1.2 Left-over paint................................................................................................................................................................ 6 4.1.3 Cell phones...................................................................................................................................................................