“I Reduce, Therefore I Am!”: Rethinking Our Habits to Protect the Planet
What if the best way to reduce waste was to start by rethinking how we consume? That is the invitation behind the 26th Quebec Waste Reduction Week (SQRD), taking place from October 19 to 25, 2026, under the theme “I Reduce, Therefore I Am!”
Inspired by Descartes’s famous philosophical statement, this campaign encourages us to reflect on our real needs and make waste reduction at the source an everyday habit.
A Week at the Heart of Circular Economy Month
Quebec Waste Reduction Week is part of Circular Economy Month in Canada, whose third week focuses on waste reduction.
The goal? To gradually move away from the buy, use, discard model in favour of an economy that conserves resources, extends the useful life of products, and minimizes waste.
Reducing Waste at the Source: Progress Made, but More Work Ahead
The latest RECYC-QUÉBEC report shows that waste reduction efforts are making a difference. Between 2021 and 2023, the amount of waste disposed of per person decreased by 5%, from 719 to 685 kg per year.
However, recoverable materials still account for 29% of all waste disposed of. Textile waste has also increased by 19% since 2019.
These figures remind us that recycling alone is not enough. The best waste is the waste we never produce.
Resources to Help Us Take Action
Quebec Waste Reduction Week offers training sessions, workshops, webinars, and film screenings to help people discover practical solutions. Explore the event calendar to find ways to participate.
The website also features articles and practical tips, inspiring newsletters, and even a checklist for an eco-friendly Halloween (in French only).
Repairing instead of replacing, borrowing, sharing, buying second-hand, or avoiding unnecessary packaging: these are simple actions that, when multiplied, can make a real difference.
The SNJM: Living Integral Ecology Every Day
For the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), this approach reflects convictions deeply rooted in their mission.
The Sisters have long embraced sharing, reusing goods, and responsible consumption. Today, their commitment is reflected in their implementation of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, which encourages us to transform our habits to care for our common home.
Beyond the principles of the 5 Rs—Refuse | Reduce | Reuse | Recycle | Recover —, this approach reminds us that our consumption choices have consequences not only for the environment, but also for people and communities.
Reducing our ecological footprint also means choosing to live differently, with greater solidarity and respect for future generations.