–Submitted by Zero Waste Sooke

The youngsters are leading the way at John Muir Elementary School. And everyone else in town is invited to pay special attention to their personal and household throwaways during Waste Reduction Week in Sooke. The initiative, officially proclaimed by Mayor Maja Tait, began on Monday and runs through this Sunday.

The Sooke proclamation is timed for the 15th annual Waste Reduction Week in Canada, a public education campaign run by the Recycling Council of Ontario with support from provincial counterparts across the country, the Recycling Council of British Columbia included.

Zero Waste Sooke, a working group affiliated with Transition Sooke, is pleased to be collaborating with John Muir Elementary School’s 4th grade science class in proclaiming and participating in the national campaign.

Vice Principal Gordon Johnson is excited to lead his young scientists into the fray against littering. He plans to hold a waste audit at the school and attempt a day of litter-less lunches.

Under Principal Tess Vally’s guidance, John Muir is already showing leadership in sustainability with their new food garden (built with support from the Rotary Club of Sooke) and classroom teachings that urge children to care for the earth and each other.

“We look forward to their youthful enthusiasm in championing this environmental initiative,” says Zero Waste coordinator Wendy O’Connor. “Ideally this is the start of a long and rewarding relationship between our organization and John Muir School. There’s no more fun and effective way to make positive, lasting change than by working with the next generation.”

Resources

• Waste Reduction Week in Canada
• Zero Waste Sooke
• Sooke Waste Management Facilities, Services and Other Resources
• John Muir Elementary School
• Recycling Council of British Columbia
• 100 Tips to Reduce Your Waste At Home