METRO LETS NOTHING GO TO WASTE

Waste-Free Lunch Challenge Launches in Schools Across Ontario

TORONTO, Oct 12 /CNW/ - Building on its strong commitment to the environment, Metro has partnered with the Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) to launch the Waste-Free Lunch Challenge in schools across the province.  Aimed at helping schools decrease the amount of garbage they produce and to educate students, staff and parents about waste reduction, the program is one of two taking place during Waste Reduction Week.  

From October 18 to 22, students in grades 4, 5 and 6 and their educators will be recognized for demonstrating their understanding of the environmental consequences of waste. Action-oriented classrooms in Ontario will have the opportunity to win various prizes including $1,000 grants to high-performing and most improved schools. Metro has contributed $300,000 to this program.

"Initiatives like the Waste-Free Lunch Challenge help guide future generations toward environmental responsibility through waste diversion and resource conservation," said Johanne Choinière, senior vice president, Metro Ontario. "Metro understands that children are a powerful conduit to educating families about sustainability, and we're proud to partner with the Recycling Council of Ontario for this exciting program."

A major source of waste in Ontario, the average student's lunch generates 30 kilograms of waste per school year. During Waste Reduction Week, students from registered classrooms will commit to bringing a waste-free lunch everyday. A waste free lunch (sometimes called litter-less, smart, boomerang, garbage-less or waste-not lunch) contains no throwaway packaging. All containers are re-sealable in order for all leftover food or drink to be consumed or composted later.

"The Waste-Free Lunch Challenge creates an important way to inspire and remind students and school communities to reduce, reuse and recycle," said Jo-Anne St. Godard, Executive Director, Recycling Council of Ontario. "We are pleased to partner with Metro to help increase awareness among students, teachers and parents of the wastes produced during the average lunch hour and challenge them to go waste-free."

The Waste-Free Lunch Challenge follows the success of Metro's Green Apple School Program, as an extension of its existing environmental initiatives. By participating in the program, Metro is furthering its commitment to encouraging environmental stewardship in Ontario students.

Registration for the Waste-Free Lunch Challenge will end on October 29, 2010. For more information, please visit www.wastefreelunch.com.

About The Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) Waste Free Lunch Challenge
The Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) Waste Free Lunch Challenge aims to support educators and students to reduce waste generated from school lunches. In 2007, RCO implemented a Waste Free Lunch Challenge which aimed to have schools and/or classrooms to host one waste free lunch during the week. With more than 1,700 registered classes, 55,000 students, 300 schools and 30 different school boards participating the challenge was a smash success. In 2010, RCO will reprise the Waste Free Lunch Challenge during Waste Reduction Week (October 17-23, 2010) and develop an ongoing program for future years.

About Metro Ontario Inc.
Metro is a Canadian company with annual sales of over $11 billion and over 65,000 employees and is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Quebec and Ontario, where it operates a network of more than 600 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as over 250 drugstores mainly under the Brunet, The Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners. 

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