The Power of R: Reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink…

EDIT:  BELOW THE ARTICLE ARE DETAILS REGARDING SOME CONCERNS FOLKS HAVE HAD WITH THE NEW SERVICE… INCLUDING THE ALLOWABLE SIZE OF GARBAGE CAN, FREE CAN PICKUP COUPONS AND MORE!

The world is changing.  Okay, I’m sure I’m not the first person to think that.  And I’m sure we’re not the first generation to think that.  But we are dealing with things this generation that no other has dealt with before.  Some of it is exciting.  Some of it is stinky.  And by stinky, I mean garbage.  Who wants to deal with garbage?  Like it’s other smelly friend sewage, you just want to put it in something where you never have to think about it (or smell it) ever again. 

But it does go somewhere.  And we’re now facing the realities of what it does to our environment when we send it somewhere.  As an alternate director for the Strathcona Regional District, I’ve attended some of the Comox Strathcona Waste Management committee meetings.  That’s a big mouthful… and a committee that has only existed for about a year or so.  But in the short amount of time I’ve spent in the room with stakeholders from both the SRD and the Comox Valley Regional District, I’ve learned a lot.  I’ve learned about landfill gas.  Being originally from Edmonton, I thought I’d share this tidbit from that city’s website, partly because of their great summary:

 “The methane in landfill gas is poisonous, flammable and lighter than air. It can migrate to the surface and potentially become an explosion risk if it becomes concentrated in an area where there is an ignition source.

If not contained or extracted in a controlled program, methane could move through the ground and enter the basements of nearby buildings, creating health and explosion risks. It is also a potent greenhouse gas.”

Ummm… remember the days when you were oblivious to where your garbage went and what happened to it when it got there?  They’re officially over as of now, aren’t they?  Ignorance really is bliss.  Nice smelling, non-explosive bliss.  Oh well. 

As the Comox Strathcona Waste Management group manages the waste issues facing the communities in our area, the City of Campbell River has made some necessary changes to our waste removal and recycling services.  In short, we’re all being encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle… all before chucking something out as a last resort.  From the City of Campbell River’s “what’s new” section:

Campbell River single family and duplex residents will get curbside recycling pick-up service twice as often and yardwaste collection expanded to eight months of the year in 2011. Garbage collection will remain weekly, and a new one-can limit will encourage residents to send their waste to the right place.

The 2011 residential recycling and garbage program includes:

• weekly recycling pick-up (up from bi-weekly)

• weekly yard waste pick-up for eight months of the year (previous service was spring and fall)

• yard waste drop-off centre (to be open year-round)

• one-can limit for garbage (pick-up remains weekly)

• collection days remain the same

“With the regional landfill nearly full, Council wants to encourage people to reduce the amount of material collected as trash and take advantage of increased recycling, and yard waste pick-up opportunities,” says Mayor Charlie Cornfield. “The new one-can limit is based on the average weekly household trash collection. The increased recycling and yard waste collection reflects a community desire for increased service.”

Over the last several years in Campbell River, residential garbage output has been decreasing while yard waste and recycling has been on the rise. In the spring of 2010, the City’s curbside waste collection program was audited, and results indicated that more than 74 per cent of residents set out one can or less each week.

“This indicates that the community is making great strides to reducing the amount of material going to the landfill and that reducing the allowable garbage limit to one can will not have an impact on the majority of residents,”  the Mayor says.

The audit also showed that only 67 per cent of residents participate in the curbside recycling program. “These service changes will help make the most of that room for improvement,” the Mayor adds.

“Campbell River is one of many communities in BC that is taking similar steps to encourage residents to divert materials away from landfills,” says Ron Neufeld, the City’s general manager of operations. “Municipalities such as North Vancouver have been able to successfully divert more than 73 per cent of their garbage output through similar recycling and yard waste initiatives.”

The City’s contract costs for waste collection will rise in 2011, and residential rates will increase to $223 per year per household (up from $173), which equals $4.29 per week.

Tips to help reduce garbage 

• The ecoGuide at the front of the phone book offers ideas to reduce garbage output.

• When purchasing, select products with minimal packaging.

• Buy bulk and re-package in re-useable containers for school lunches.

• Bring your own re-useable mug to the coffee shop.

• Donate unwanted items to thrift stores.

• Compost kitchen waste in a backyard composter.

Reminder: residents will be able to put out additional cans with a garbage tag. These tags can be purchased from City Hall, the Sportsplex, and the Community Centre for a cost of $2 each.

Residents should direct questions about waste collection to Emterra at: 250-286-0211.

NOW HERE’S THE ADDITIONAL INFO!

Good GARBAGE news!! The City of CR received quite a few complaints about the “size of can” picked up with the new garbage service.  Restarting the initiative a little more gently, Emterra will pick up one can (up to 128L, rather than 80L) UNTIL April 4. 

Also “Households unable to meet the one can limit due to special or unique circumstances are encouraged to contact the City at 250-286-5700 ext 647 or via e-mail at Collection@campbellriver.ca. The City will work with these individuals to determine if a special circumstance pass may be required.”

Finally, look for more complimentary “extra can” pickup coupons in local newspapers (like the Friday, Jan. 21/2011 edition and more)!