React Waste Management District, Humboldt, SK

REACT went into operation September 3, 1996 as the first fully integrated regional solid waste management system in the province. In 1996, there were 16 urban and 10 rural municipalities with a population base of approximately 19, 000. Today, REACT serves 31 urban and 16 rural municipalities with a population of approximately 26, 000. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities in 2009 chose REACT as one of the top nine municipal entities across Canada for successful waste management diversion and partnerships that included 47 municipalities covering over 11, 400 square kilometers. REACT received the Saskatchewan Municipal Award in 2010 for Regional Leadership and Partnerships. Municipal governments and colleges with environmental programs within the province continue to tour our facilities for education on the benefits of belonging to a regional waste management system. The Regional Authority of Carlton Trail (REACT) consists of 31 urban and 16 rural municipalities that have joined together to manage their solid waste and recycling. REACT's guiding principle is to divert as much waste from the landfill as possible. Through waste reduction and recycling, our goal is to dispose of 65% less waste to landfill. The most effective way to keep waste out of the landfills is to reduce the amount of waste that we produce. Buying in bulk and encouraging merchants to sell more commodities in bulk reduces the amount of packaging that you have to deal with. Choosing products that have less packaging reduces the amount of garbage for disposal. Buy reusable items rather than disposable items whenever possible. Using cloth shopping bags is good for the environment and helps reduce the amount of plastic bags going to the landfill. Composting or other forms of organic waste management can substantially reduce the amount of waste being land filled.