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How We Work To Reduce Waste

Oct 14, 2022

It’s Waste Reduction Week and as we reflect on the importance of zero waste in our households, it makes us wonder how the Calgary Food Bank minimizes its own footprint. How do we manage waste when 11 million pounds of perishables and non-perishables are moving through the warehouse? 

Every step in the receiving process has important checks and balances. When sorting food donations as they come, we evaluate their viability. It is critical to ensure from a food safety and dignity perspective, that clients are receiving quality food in their hampers. We look at the three Ds: Date + Dent + Damaged and sort accordingly.  

We sort donations big and small, and separate them into different recycling and reclamation areas, with a goal of less than 10% going to the landfill. All the cardboard packaging and boxes are crushed, plastics are bundled and then everything is sent off for recycling. Spoiled, leaking, bulging and old cans are separated, and the contents extracted to go to compost and the cans are recycled. Bottles and cartons are sent to the depot for a return on the deposit. Compost and expired perishables such as bread and produce are welcomed by our partner farmers.  

The bags in our hampers are made from recycled plastics and are so durable that they are not classified as single use. Food drive donation bags, like you may have seen at the City-Wide Food Drive, are 100% compositable.  

Can we do any more to minimize our impact on the environment? Michael Pasma, Director, Logistics and Inventory concurs,

We are always looking for ways to manage not only our waste, but our footprint. With 14 trucks in our fleet, we monitor and encourage no idling. The lighting in the offices and warehouse are energy efficient LED bulbs. The condensers for the fridges and freezers are state of the art.”  

 The Calgary Food Bank is proud to implement ways in reducing waste. From receiving quality viable food from the food industry, to how we treat our donations and operations. Every action matters.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, the Calgary Food Bank acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Calgary Food Bank
MAIN LOCATION (WAREHOUSE)

5000 11 Street SE
Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5

FOOD LINK

By appointment only
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Donation Centre, Door 7

Monday to Thursday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

CALL TO REQUEST A HAMPER
403-253-2055

Monday to Thursday: 8:15 am – 7:00 pm
Friday: 8:15 am – 4:00 pm

Or book online

 

Administration
ANNEX HOURS

Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

ANNEX LOCATION

5020 12A Street SE
Calgary, AB T2G 5K9

CONTACT

Reception: 403-253-2059
info@calgaryfoodbank.com

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