Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo was honoured with a 2024 Gold Special Event Award from the Municipal Waste Association for Promotion & Education. The award recognized Waste Management’s Kiss the Ground Farming, Food and You event held last October in partnership with the Kitchener Public Library.

The event brought the community together to watch a documentary film screening of Kiss the Ground and listen to an expert panel discussion focusing on soil regeneration, food waste reduction, and the importance of everyone's involvement in the circular economy.

“We are proud of the work our community across the region is doing to reduce waste and consider alternatives to sending goods to the landfill,” said Colleen James, Regional Councillor and Chair of the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee. “It is through events and partnerships like these that we can continue to make real changes for our community and our environment.” 

The event raised awareness of the role we all play in the circular food economy, soil health, and reducing food waste. Information and tips on what each of us can do every day, and valuable insights on understanding food labels and expiration dates from Public Health were also shared. The Region featured a video “Garbage doesn't just disappear” that helps residents understand the impact of goods in our landfill.

“We’re grateful for community partnerships because they help us connect people and share ideas that contribute to a thriving Waterloo Region,” said Darren Solomon, Kitchener Public Library’s Chief Executive Officer. “We all have a role to play when it comes to the environment. Through this event with the Region of Waterloo we were able to help people learn and take action towards building a sustainable future together.”

Special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the event successful including our panelists Diana Aquino (Walker Industries), Jennifer Pfenning (Pfenning's Organic Farm) and Chef Destiny (FoodZen), as well as moderator Angie Hallman. 

The Municipal Waste Association annually recognizes municipalities that excel in minimizing waste, engaging in innovative approaches, and demonstrating significant value to their communities through the Promotion and Education Awards. 

For more information on Kitchener Public Library events and services visit kpl.org. For more information on how you can reduce waste, visit regionofwaterloo.ca/waste. 

-30-