CEPGP Waste Hacks Project
CAFES is thrilled to be starting a new Waste Reduction Hacks project with support from the City’s CEPGP program. This project will create a full series of short, practical sustainability tips — “waste hacks” — delivered by Ottawa youth and residents through social media posts and short videos. The content will show people easy, doable actions that save money, reduce waste, conserve energy, and lower their environmental footprint. The tone is upbeat and practical: not doom and gloom, but “here’s something you can actually do this week.”
Environmental organizations in Ottawa regularly hear from residents who feel overwhelmed by the scale of climate and environmental problems and want to know what they can do personally. This project fills that gap by featuring actual Ottawa residents sharing what works for them, in their own voice, from their own kitchen or backyard.
We will be producing and distributing one to two social media posts or short videos per month from August through March each featuring a local Ottawa resident sharing a practical sustainability tip.
We are excited to be working with Ecology Ottawa’s EcoYouth program and youth from the Orléans United Church eco summer camp in July. Are you a youth in Ottawa who is interested in getting involved? Email Erica at eshardlow@cafesottawa.ca !
And on Thursday August 13th, we will see all of you at the Prescott, at Ottawa Green Drinks and you can share your favourite waste hacks with us.
____
Carleton Community Engagement Project on Waste and Circular Economy
Speaking of Waste Hacks – CAFES is looking to organize another year of the annual Carleton University Community Engagement Project in partnership with the 2nd year Sociology-Anthropology class! This year’s theme will be on waste and circular economy. We are looking for 5-6 Community Associations to volunteer to work with the student groups between September – December 2026 to support them in creating community-based environmental projects on waste. Please note that we are in the early stages of planning this year’s project, but more information will be available in July and August. Please contact Erica at eshardlow@cafesottawa.ca if you think your CA is interested in signing up!
Check out previous years of the project here:
- 2021 project on 15-Minute Neighbourhoods
- 2022 project on Tree Canopy Regeneration
- 2023 project on Bird-Window Collisions
- 2024 project on Pollinator Gardening
- 2025 project on Invasive Plant Species
