Back in June, The Forks received an award in the Environment and Energy category at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce's 15th annual Spirit of Winnipeg Awards Gala. This award celebrates The Forks' Target Zero initiatives, and we're pretty excited share it with our community!
You may already be familiar with our Target Zero initiatives, as this ambitious goal of becoming a carbon-neutral public space guides many of our operations, commitments, and decisions. And though our programming, site development, and operations are deeply tied to Target Zero, this goal isn't always clear to everyone.
It's important to know that the choices you make at The Forks also contribute to our path toward achieving Target Zero. Here are some ways you, as a guest and lover of The Forks, can help us continue working toward this goal:
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Say no to to-go: If you're planning to have your meal at The Forks, why not enjoy it on a plate with real cutlery? Our centralized dishwashing service and coordinated sort stations allow you to enjoy your meals anywhere in The Market or on the patio without needing to get it to-go!
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Let us sort for you: The Forks Market Eco Team is well-versed in sorting, recovering post-consumer organic waste, and reducing contamination in recyclables. Take the guesswork out of eating without having to worry about what needs to be recycled, composted, or thrown away. Just bring your dishes and finsihed food to the sort stations located around The Patio and inside The Market, and let our award-winning Eco Team sort for you!
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BYO (water) Bottles: Did you know there are four water bottle filling stations located throughout The Forks site? Instead of selling single-use water bottles, we encourage you to bring your own and fill them with fresh water for free! There are also water filling stations inside The Market, so if you didn't bring your own bottle, grab a glass from The Market and stay hydrated without paying or wasting.
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Bike!: Our bike counters on-site are fun and informative, showing us how many people wheel into The Forks daily, with an annual total that's also fun to watch grow. The Forks has numerous bike racks throughout the site, and this summer, we've introduced a Bike Check pilot operated by Winnipeg Trails Association - a free bike valet service open to everyone.
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Spread the word: Target Zero is a significant initiative, and we are proud to have it drive all our efforts. However, it requires community support to succeed. If you think these efforts are cool, please spread the word!
Target Zero is a big deal, and achieving it would not be possible without the support of our community. Your desire to learn, contribute, and celebrate sustainable decision-making is why we can pursue this goal. Thank you, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, for this amazing award. And to our guests, stakeholders, and community—thank you for helping us on this journey.