2020 Student Video Contest: REDUCE. Single-use.

Thank you to all those who took part in the fifth annual Student Video Contest! The purpose of this year’s contest was to increase awareness about the importance of reducing single-use items in West Vancouver.

Since launching the contest in February, COVID-19 has changed almost everything around us, including the use of single-use items. Some videos came before COVID-19 and some after, making it exceptionally difficult to fairly judge the videos and award prizes. That is why we plan to give each student who submitted a video an equal share of this year’s prize money. Total prize money is $1,000, which amounts to around $30 for the creator(s) of each qualifying student video.

Thank you to the students for sharing their inspiring video messages and reminding the community to find creative ways to reduce waste and avoid the unnecessary use of single-use items where possible, even during a pandemic.

More on single use items

What is a single-use item?

Single-use items are designed to be used once for a short period of time and then discarded. For the purpose of this contest, we’re focusing on the most common single-use items, which include bags, cups, takeout containers, straws and utensils.

Why single-use item reduction?

We are focusing on reducing and reusing single-use items, over recycling and disposal, because this approach creates less litter, reduces collection costs and decreases the resources that are needed to produce single-use items in the first place. 

Resources

Recycling, Garbage and Green Can in West Vancouver

Public Space Recycling

WestVanCollect app

West Vancouver Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy

Rethink Recycling

Metro Vancouver – Single-use Items

Recycle BC – Bring Your Own Bag

Clean BC – Plastic Action Plan

FUN FACTS
  • In 2018, 1.1 billion single-use items were disposed of in the Metro Vancouver region. That is equivalent to 440 items per person.
  • The most common items found in West Vancouver public space recycling bins are disposable coffee cups. If you forget your reusable mug, disposable coffee cups belong in the blue bin.
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