City of Brandon Launches ‘4R’ Waste Ambassador Program

If you are an environmentally-minded individual with a keen interest in the 4 R’s of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink, the City of Brandon is looking to you to be part of its multi-year community ambassador pilot program aimed at waste diversion! 

Thanks to funding provided by Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba Inc., the City of Brandon is pleased to launch the 4R Waste Ambassador Program, a three-year public education pilot project for which it is now actively recruiting volunteer ambassadors. The program will provide training and resources to volunteer community ambassadors, who will then be encouraged to seek out community events, schools, and service group functions (following Manitoba Public Health COVID-19 protocols) to help educate and inform on municipal waste diversion programs. Together with its ambassadors, the City of Brandon is looking to better educate residents on “what goes in what bin” to improve waste, recycling, and organic diversion rates in the community and to increase efficiencies at the Eastview Landfill. 

City of Brandon Environmental Initiatives Coordinator Lindsay Hargraves says the program’s success will be rooted in the dedication and enthusiasm of its volunteer ambassadors and the cooperation of the wider community. 

“We really see this as an opportunity for the entire community to embrace the 4R’s and to help educate our community on the many actions they can take which will collectively help the City of Brandon increase its waste diversion rates,” Hargreaves says. “The 4R Waste Ambassador Program will empower participants to educate their neighbours, classmates, church community, service groups and peers on the benefits that the 4R’s can have locally and globally!”  

Hargreaves notes that ambassadors will be required to contribute at least 30 hours of volunteer time to the program each year and will be encouraged to seek out their own opportunities for public education. She adds that volunteer ambassadors of all ages are needed; however, if an ambassador is under the age of 18, they’ll need their parent or guardian to accompany them when they are out volunteering in the community. 

“We were excited when the City of Brandon approached us with this great opportunity to connect with the community on the benefits of the 4R’s,” said Karen Melnychuk, Executive Director, MMSM. “Education has always remained a priority for our organization and we hope that the program inspires residents to make a conscious effort to look at the impact they have on the environment.” 

More information on the 4R Waste Ambassador Program, including a list of requirements for volunteers and information on training, can be found at brandonenvironment.ca/waste-diversion/4r-waste-ambassador-program or by emailing 4rwasteambassador@brandon.ca. 

(City of Brandon PSA)