Winnipeggers better at recycling, conserving water, Peg report says

Winnipeggers are getting better at recycling but the total amount of residential waste continues to grow.

That's one of the major takeaways from new data released Thursday by Peg, a community health indicator system led by the United Way of Winnipeg and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

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Between 1997 and 2015, Winnipeggers more than tripled the amount of waste diverted through recycling. 

And though the collective amount of residential waste — combining both waste sent to the landfill and waste diverted through recycling and compostable yard waste programs — has seen an overall increase since 1997, the trend since 2005 has been downward.

"The recycling numbers are going up. That means that our individual habits are changing," said Jennifer Temmer, project officer with the SDG program with the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

The main focus of the report was how people affect the environment, both the built and the natural environment, and how the environment affects people.

"Water use was another key one that we looked at," Temmer said. "Winnipeggers have been reducing the amount of water that they use in their households."

Over a 20-year period, Winnipeggers' water use has decreased nearly 50 per cent, from 349 litres per person each day in 1995, to 234 per person in 2015.

Temmer said it can be linked to a decrease in personal use but also bringing in things like high-efficiency washing machines and low-flush toilets.

This report, it really, really shows that connection between how we impact the city and how the city impacts us and how it impacts our health and our well-being- Jennifer Temmer

There were also some areas of the Peg report that showed Winnipeg had room for improvement, including a decrease in the amount of time outside of work that people spend being active, which was lower than the Canadian average.

As well, a large number of Winnipeggers said there were physical limitations in the city that impacted their activity level.

"The architectural aspect and the physical nature in the city is something that is very, very important to helping Winnipeggers have a better life, and accessibility is really important for us to live well," Temmer said.

Between 2003 and 2014, about 34 per cent of Winnipeggers reported activity limitations — three per cent higher than the Canadian average. 

Temmer said the Peg reports are important to show people how their individual acts and behaviours can make a difference.

"This report, it really, really shows that connection between how we impact the city and how the city impacts us and how it impacts our health and our well-being," she said.

"It helps to just think a little bit more about how we do really live in a city and to have a conversation about what kind of city we want to live in and how we can make Winnipeg a better place."