​Kincardine Environmental Action Network is KEAN

The Kincardine Environmental Action Network (KEAN) envisions a thriving and environmentally-sustainable Kincardine community where synergy and partnerships among the community, businesses, schools and residents, create a collectively positive impact.

That’s the word from Kim Armitage who spoke to Kincardine council about KEAN, at the meeting Wednesday night (March 12).

The group was formed in December, 2024, and its mission is to empower the community through resource-building and environmental advocacy, accelerating Kincardine’s transition toward living sustainability.

“We aim to foster a community where every action, big or small, contributes to preserving our environment for current and future generations,” she said.

Armitage outlined the various programs that KEAN co-ordinates.

Sustainable Business of the Week – highlighting and sharing the practices of local businesses, and sharing on social media.

Refining Terracycle Advertising – this is a specialty recycling program and KEAN is highlighting ONE item at a time in hopes of capturing attention of single-item users, and diverting more waste. For example, you can recycle plastic and foil coffee bags through Terracycle.



Pilot Tetra Pack Diversion – the group has diverted about 200 kilograms of cartons and tetra packs from the Kincardine landfill site.

Speakers Program – talking with schools, organizations, businesses and municipal council.

Boxing Day Styrofoam Collection – one load driving the after-Christmas styrofoam instead of individually.

Native Wildflower Seed Distribution – native wildflowers are crucial for maintaining bio-diversity, supporting pollinators and preserving local eco-systems.

KEAN also has the following future programs that it hopes to implement.

Make Kincardine a Blue Community – recognizes water and sanitation as human rights; promotes publicly-financed, owned and operated water and wastewater services; bans the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events.

Petition for Community Green Bin Pick-up – several Canadian cities and towns have transitioned to curbside organics collection. The upward trend in household and corporate organics diversion is in large part due to the community-sponsored pick-ups.

Support Blue Box Transition – it’s been 10 years coming and Kincardine is not prepared. KEAN is requesting landfill waste audits to target and reverse poor waste trends. Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Blue Box collection stops Jan. 1, 2026.

Repair Cafe – volunteer fixers gather to help community members gain control over their broken things and re-define what is considered end of life.

“Make every day Earth Day.”

Mayor Kenneth Craig thanked Armitage for her presentation.