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Oscar the Grouch and Husein Madhavji discuss the importance of waste reduction on CP24's Star Entertainment Update on Monday, Oct. 20. (CP24/Maurice Cacho)

Grumpy puppet Oscar the Grouch made a visit to CP24 on Monday as part of a cross-country tour encouraging Canadians to reduce their consumer waste.

Joining entertainment specialist Husein Madhavji during the afternoon Star Update, the grumbling Grouch promoted Waste Reduction Week by encouraging the host to reuse paper and transform used pop bottles into handled scoops.

"Everyone should have it in their heads that they should not waste things," he says. "Reuse them, or recycle them if you have a chance."

His garbage can was surrounded by recycling boxes as he sat at the CP24 interview desk, telling Madhavji about the worst waster of the Sesame Street gang.

"When (Cookie Monster) eats the cookies, he eats so voraciously that half of the cookies are on the ground," says Oscar. "I sweep them up and punch them together and make a whole new cookie out of it."

If we don't start making less waste, the world will soon turn into a place that could only be loved by a grouch, he says.

"I like trash... but pretty soon it's going to be up around your neck. Who wants that in your neighbourhood?"

Oscar's tour was organized by the Recycling Council of Ontario.