Waste reduction enthusiasts are invited to our upcoming SPEC Zero Waste Committee meeting, which will feature a special guest presentation from Metro Vancouver. This is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about the latest updates on the regional solid waste management plan, directly from those driving the system. What is the Solid Waste Management Plan? […]
Solid Waste Management in Vancouver: Special Guest Presenter Read More »
At our recent repair café event, we were excited to see the community come together to fix their broken items, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Our efforts, alongside those of other repair cafés across Metro Vancouver, were recently highlighted in an article by The Globe and Mail that explores the broader impact of the repair
In a world where disposability often reigns, the rise of Repair Cafés stands as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable future. These community-driven spaces, such as SPEC’s Repair Cafés in Vancouver, play a vital role in promoting the circular economy – an economic model focused on reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.
Repair Cafés Helping Individuals to Embrace Circularity Read More »
September 18, 2023 Dr. Carole Christopher, SPEC Guiding Elder and long standing board member, reflects on a recent Repair Cafe which served the most vulnerable Vancouverites at Union Gospel Mission in the Downtown East Side. Over the past year, SPEC has offered monthly Repair Cafes with invitations to bring your electronics, clothing, and small household
Over the weekend of October 7th-9th, 2022, 50 individuals were honored for their exceptional contribution to Canada’s clean economy. The honorees contributed to sixteen key sectors, including clean technology, manufacturing, renewable energy, research and development, and lifetime achievement. In a time of climate crisis and uncertainty, the ingenuity and passion shown by these Canadian leaders
Celebrating Green Successes in Canada at the Clean 50 Summit Read More »
By Ella Kim-Marriott Ella is a second year UBC student from Vancouver, BC studying sociology and geography with hopes of furthering research on the topic of consumerism. She currently works at the package-free grocery store Nada, and volunteers for various environmental organizations such as Greenpeace. Recently in the media, there has been a lot of
I Went Four Years Without Buying New Clothing – Learn How You Can Too Read More »
This article was originally posed on Reel Causes, the host of this event. On April 17th, Reel Causes is screening Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, a cinematic meditation on humanity’s massive reengineering of the planet, and following it with a panel discussion addressing waste reduction with community cause Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC), the oldest environmental non-profit in Canada. Daniel
An Interview with Daniel Rotman, a Director at SPEC Read More »
By Alice Robertson Decluttering is a growing trend, but are Canadians truly committing to a minimalist lifestyle or is decluttering just an excuse to clear up space for more stuff? Image via Unsplash There are real benefits to a clutter-free home. Not only does your home look better when it’s neatly-organized, but a clutter-free home also promotes focus
5 Tips for Eco-Conscious Declutting Read More »
An inside look on how Emily Carr Elementary completely revamped their waste system and diverted 800 pounds of recyclables from the landfill. Teacher Cadine (left) with the team of student volunteers that sort classroom waste and recycling. Emily Carr Elementary School is on a mission. Two years ago, the school took the Zero Waste Challenge
Met the Zero Waste Champions from Emily Carr Elementary Read More »
By Magali Vander Vorst, SPEC Board Member Image: Regan in the Tupper Secondary School’s Teaching Kitchen Patricia Regan is the chef and teacher at the Tupper Secondary School’s Teaching Kitchen, where they serve 120 to 140 meals a day and barely use any single-use plastic. Regan is a passionate educator who brings her sustainability values to
Is There Another Option? How Tupper Secondary School Reduced Waste by 600% Read More »
