SHARE, REPAIR, REUSE.

Banff’s goal is to divert 70% of waste from landfill by 2028 and send zero waste to landfill by 2050. The Town of Banff is working to eliminate waste sources, while supporting and growing our local “circular economy.”

What is a circular economy?

In a circular economy we generate less waste, reuse resources over and over again, and regenerate natural systems. Materials are kept in circulation by using only what we need, repairing and sharing what we have, and repurposing materials to ensure their lifecycle never ends.

Circular Economy in Action

Map of Bow Valley Community Resources

Banff Re-Use It Centre

The Town of Banff Re-Use It Centre is a free store where residents can pick up or drop off previously loved treasures at no cost! Visit the Re-Use It Centre for things like books, toys, dishes, furniture and more.

Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Located at the Waste Transfer Site, 160 Hawk Avenue, in the Industrial District.

Visit banff.ca/Reuse for more information.

Library of Things

Banff and Lake Louise residents can borrow a variety of items that are rarely used, hard to store, or expensive, such as tools, cooking appliances and hobby items. It is free to access — all you need is a valid Banff Public Library membership.

Open during regular library hours.

Located at the Banff Public Library.

Learn more about how to borrow items and the complete listing of what’s available at banff.ca/LibraryofThings.

Monthly Clothing Swaps

Textiles waste is a global challenge, and the amount of clothing purchased each year, which ultimately ends up in the landfill, continues to grow. Instead of wasting money on buying new items, come check out one of our monthly clothing swaps! These are free events where you can drop off unwanted items and pick out some fresh looks!

For more information on an upcoming swap, please visit our events calendar: banff.ca/Calendar.

Located at The Fenlands.

Open daily 8:30 am – 8:30 pm.

For reservations and a full equipment inventory visit: banff.ca/EquipmentRental.

Sports Equipment Lending Program

Live large while owning less! Banff residents can rent everything they need for an evening of football, badminton, slacklining, spikeball, volleyball, bocce and many more activities through the Sports Equipment Lending Program. Stop by The Fenlands to pick up and return reserved equipment. For reservations and a full equipment inventory, visit: banff.ca/EquipmentLending.

Banff Food Rescue

Banff Food Rescue keeps good food from becoming food waste. It is a volunteer-driven organization that picks up and receives food from grocery stores and retailers, making it available for Banff residents for free and by donation.

Located at 215 Banff Avenue, lower level of Sundance Mall.

Check out the Facebook page for more information and hours of operation: facebook.com/banfffoodrescue.

Little Libraries

Drop off or pick up a new book at a neighborhood library. These little libraries are free to use and a great way to share the joy of reading with others in the community.

Check out the Community Resource Map to find your closest little library: banff.ca/ResourceMap.

Banff Public Library

The Banff Library regularly hosts repair workshops and clothing swaps! Visit their events calendar to see upcoming events: banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar.

Community Cruisers Banff

Their mission is to promote bicycle use for transportation to improve health, sustainability and equity in the Bow Valley. The HUB bicycle workshop is a location where Banff residents can buy an affordable bike, donate a bike, or use workshop tools and space to work on their own bike. The HUB also offers community bicycle workshops and the opportunity to learn from volunteer mentors. Check out their website for more information: communitycruisers.ca.

Banff Bottle Depot

The Green Bottle Depot is a beverage container return center which accepts all deposit empties and returns your money on the spot. Call the Bottle Depot for free bottle pick-up and still receive a refund.

What Can You Do?

Check out the amazing resources listed above and sign up for our Environmental Newsletter to stay up to date on news and events!

Learn a new skill: Try to repair household items. Need some tools or a sewing machine? Don’t worry, you can borrow them for free from the Library of Things!

Divert food waste: Collect your food scraps and take them to your nearest food scraps bin. This ensures your food waste is kept out of the landfill where it produces harmful greenhouse gases. Food waste collected from the white bins at neighborhood zero waste stations is sent to a farm in Central Alberta where it is processed into nutrient-rich soil!

Share and trade: Instead of buying a new item, see if you can share or trade with friends.

Thrift and reuse: Find the joy in hunting for a diamond in the rough! Head to the Re-Use It Centre or a local thrift shop to find a new piece of furniture or household item instead of buying new. Join a clothing swap at the Banff Public Library to give your closet a refresh!

Get crafty: How can you repurpose things that otherwise might end up in the landfill? Can you opt for homemade gifts instead of purchasing the latest trendy item? Check out a workshop at the Banff Public Library!