The "I was thirsty" mission in Thunder Bay exemplifies profound compassion. Filling the immediate, life-threatening gap of water insecurity for the city’s vulnerable population. Yet, as with any large-scale distribution of bottled products, a critical question remains: what happens to the plastic when the water is gone? The next challenge for this vital program is how to mitigate plastic water bottle waste.
By distributing over 14,000 bottles since its launch, "I was thirsty" has saved lives and affirmed human dignity. To align this vital humanitarian work with environmental responsibility, the next step is to integrate a robust, dignity-focused waste mitigation plan.
Here are three practical strategies for the 'I was thirsty' initiative to mitigate the plastic bottle waste. Turning potential litter into an asset for the community and the environment.
1. Implement a Dignity-Focused Bottle-Back Incentive
The single most effective tool for encouraging the return of beverage containers in Canada is the Deposit-Return Scheme (DRS). The scheme places a refundable cash value on the bottle. This existing economic incentive can be harnessed and streamlined to directly benefit the recipients.
- The Model: Mobile Deposit Return: Instead of expecting recipients to carry bottles to a distant depot or relying on cumbersome city bins, "I was thirsty" can integrate a collection system into its existing outreach efforts.
- "The Water Truck Buy-Back": The same navy-blue truck that delivers cases of water can also act as a mobile collection point. Volunteers can offer the refundable deposit value (e.g., 5-10 cents per bottle) directly to the recipients upon the return of clean plastic bottles.
- Immediate Financial Incentive: This creates a small, immediate, and reliable source of income. Offering an alternative to other forms of panhandling or informal scavenging. Thereby affirming the dignity of the people receiving the water.
- Focus on Cleanliness: By accepting only relatively clean, uncrushed bottles, the initiative maintains the purity of the recycling stream and provides a gentle incentive for responsible use and storage.
- Community-Building: This turns the act of waste management into a two-way exchange. Not just charity, but a shared responsibility where the people being served are key partners in the environmental solution.
2. Strategic Placement of Dedicated Collection Bins
While mobile collection is ideal for encampments, establishing permanent, user-friendly collection infrastructure at key partner locations would capture a significant portion of the bottles.
- Partner Bin Placement: Work with partner organizations like St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and other local service providers, shelters, and food banks to install clearly marked, high-capacity, and secure bins. Specifically for the "I was thirsty" plastic bottles.
- Theft Mitigation: Standard recycling bins are often prone to theft or contamination. These specialized bins could be designed to be more secure. Or placed within monitored perimeters of partner facilities.
- Volunteer & Youth Involvement: The collection and delivery of these full bins to a commercial recycling processor could be a designated task for a dedicated team of volunteers. Or even a paid employment opportunity for local youth. Reinforcing the program’s connection to the Circular Economy, regarding repair and resource extension.
3. The "Closed Loop" Partnership
The final step is to leverage the goodwill and media visibility of the project. Ensure secure partnership that gives the plastic a second life.
- Corporate Sponsorship & Tracking: Approach Canadian bottled water suppliers or a local plastic reprocessing plant to sponsor a "Closed-Loop Fund" for the returned plastic.
- Measurable Impact: This partnership would allow the "I was thirsty" initiative to track the total weight of plastic returned and recycled, providing a measurable environmental impact that donors and the community can celebrate.
- The Story of Rebirth: The narrative shifts from simply distributing to “Water provided, Plastic returned, Community helped.” This reinforces the idea of resourcefulness, turning a single-use item into a source of value that supports the very mission that created the bottle in the first place.
By adopting this three-pronged approach—offering a financial incentive, establishing clear collection infrastructure, and building strategic recycling partnerships—"I was thirsty" can continue its life-saving work, mitigate plastic water bottle waste, and set a new standard for environmentally and socially responsible street outreach in Thunder Bay.
Good Will, Good Waste Management...