By Cynthia Wandler
Going green is great for the environment and your cash flow – and thankfully, there are plenty of ways to be eco-conscious in Edmonton. From growing your food to buying second-hand or carpooling, here’s our suggestions for how you can make it happen. [Image credit: istockphoto.com/dragonimages]
If your interests lay with producing your own food naturally and the environmental benefits that brings, there are multiple Edmonton programs and community groups that can help. If you are looking to forage for wild mushrooms, the Alberta Mycological Society can teach you the best ways to safely do so.
Both the Edmonton Horticultural Society and the Edmonton Permaculture Guild can help your garden grow – but if you prefer meat over veggies, you just may want to raise your own chickens for their eggs and meat. That information is available through the Urban Hens Pilot Project, with some tips from the River City Chickens Collective.
If your fruit trees bear more than you can preserve with a class through Fruits of Sherbrooke, they will be happy to harvest the fruit for you – which they then process and share with others.
If you’re looking for construction materials and second-hand home décor, you’re in luck – there’s no shortage of destinations to find those items throughout Edmonton at discount costs. The Reuse Centre is a city-run program aimed at keeping items out of the landfill – it’s a treasure trove of craft, school and office supplies, all for cheap. It includes an even bigger discount for non-profit organizations.
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore has three locations in Edmonton that stock new and used tile, light fixtures, furniture, doors, tools, toilets… and the list goes on. It also offers a pick-up program for donations and proceeds from the store’s sales help fund Habitat for Humanity. Two family-owned businesses, Architectural Clearinghouse and Home Re-use-ables are great places to check out when you’re looking for new and/or used construction materials.
Vintage apparel, new clothes, books, games, jewellery, costumes, home décor are among the treasures to be found at any of Edmonton’s second-hand stores.
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores use their proceeds to support local charities and also offer a donation pick-up service within Edmonton and coupons on their website. Edmonton’s multiple Goodwill locations work to employ people with disabilities, and though their donation pick-up service comes at a fee, it includes some extra services that may make it worthwhile. Like its counterparts, Edmonton Value Village stores help keep reusable goods out of landfills also donate to local not-for-profits, offer fundraising opportunities and extend discounts for seniors and club members.
Alternative methods of transportation, other than traditional vehicles, can benefit the environment with fewer emissions and save you the cost and hassle of insurance, gas and parking fees. Edmonton Transit offers bussing and Light Rail Transit (LRT) services which could be considered carpooling for the masses. Drivers and passengers taking advantage of the city’s Rideshare program also have access to designated parking at the city’s LRT stations.
If multi-tasking is more your style, try cycling to work, which is less harmful for the environment and better for your body at the same time. From cycling classes to bike care, the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society can help you learn how to navigate city roads.
Regardless of your lifestyle, there are Edmonton opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle. Join the movement to save our earth and save yourself some money!
