A trio of organizations in the North Okanagan are receiving a boost for their waste-reducing projects.

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) board of directors has named three recipients of it鈥檚 2024 ReTHINK Waste Grants.

The successful applicants are FoodMesh ($30,000), Habitat for Humanity Okanagan ($16,000) and Silver Star Bear Stewardship Group ($3,500). The funds awarded to these organizations support their innovative projects to prevent waste and use materials already in circulation to conserve resources and energy.

FoodMesh is building a comprehensive food recovery system in the region by connecting organizations looking for alternatives to disposing unsalable surplus food with a network of local charities and farmers. The surplus food can support charitable organizations like food banks, while leftover food that is no longer edible for people can go to farmers for animal feed.

FoodMesh started the North Okanagan Food Recovery Network in April 2023. To date, it has diverted more than 156,000 kilograms of food from disposal. This food recovery has provided over 193,000 meals and has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 400 tonnes. The funding will support growth and maintenance of the network.

The Habitat for Humanity Restore in Vernon provides people with opportunities to donate reusable household items to keep them out of landfills, helping to develop a local circular economy by keeping materials in use for as long as possible and providing folks the chance to save energy, resources and packaging by purchasing quality second-hand items. The funding will support an awareness building campaign to encourage residents to re-think how they shop, use and dispose of potentially reusable items.

The Silver Star Bear Stewardship Group is developing the Black Bear Trail located around Brewer鈥檚 Pond. The trail is intended to inspire respectful co-existence with black bears and encourage smart bear practices. The trail features art displays of bears made out of repurposed materials. The 2024 bear installation project includes a bear made out of repurposed steel materials to encourage awareness of the importance of reusing, repurposing and recycling materials to help preserve wildlife habitat.

鈥淎n average of 500 kilograms of garbage per person ends up in RDNO landfills yearly,鈥� RDNO said. 鈥淲asted resources impact the environment and are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The RDNO ReTHINK Waste Grant program supports projects that reduce waste in the region and encourage the development of a circular economy.鈥�

Priority is given to waste reduction projects focused on reducing and reusing.

Anyone who has an idea for an innovative project that would benefit the region, or wants tips on how to reduce waste, can visit . People can start planning ahead for 2025 projects now, as the grant program is expected to open for applications in the fall of 2024.

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