Kamloops Recycling and Environment

Downtown Parkade

2011-01-22T22:12:00.000-08:00

A parkade downtown? For whom? Who will pay for it?

It reinforces an earlier post I wrote. This city's theme song should be "Take paradise, put up a parking lot."

Greyhound Bus Depots

2010-04-13T18:20:00.001-07:00

So I have become used to doing intercity travel on the Greyhound. I get on and can read, listen to music or just zone out.

Can I drive to where I am going for less money? Probably! But I like not having to do much once I am on the bus. Commuting with others is environmentally the right thing to do.

Given that there is an environmental component to travelling in such a way, it is ironic that I saw some unenvironmentally- friendly activity. In both the Kamloops and Vancouver bus depots, Greyhound workers put plastic bottles in garbage cans. Why didn't they put the bottles in a recycle bin or leave them for someone to pick up? While I didn't have time to look around, from where I was at, I couldn't see any recycling bins.

That is not to say that Greyhound doesn't have recycle bins in the depots. My question is if they are there why aren't they more accessible to both Greyhound workers and riders?

Taking care of the environment is a 2010 activity; that means commuting and recycling!

Keeping it green in Kamloops

2009-10-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

So I know I'm not always that diligent about writing....in fact I've been downright negligent.......so excuses aside I will do my best to keep up.

Now that I'm back I realized that I had two comments that I didn't realize were even on my blog. One person left a reference to this website: http://greenkamloops.wordpress.com/

It looks like there is an attempt to continue increasing environmental awareness in our fair community. I had the chance to look through some of it and want to promote it as a site for more information, alternative information and well information.

Earth Hour

2009-03-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

I was disappointed on Sat March 28, 2009 to look out of my window and see so many lights in downtown Kamloops on during earth hour!!!!!

Does this City and the people in it really think we are immune to the impacts that we have on our environment? Or are we just that small town and backward?

Oh well I lit a few candles and tried to do my bit.

Hope that there is a better response next year!

Blazer Tickets

2009-03-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

I recently had a number of Blazer tickets passed on to me. Some of them I could use; others I put into the recycling box too lazy to find someone to pass them on to.

Yesterday, I got organized to get rid of my tickets for tonight's game (Fri March 6). I took them to the Big Brother and Big Sister office downtown on Seymour Street. Cindy guaranteed me that they would get used.

Then I told her that I had a number of tickets that I didn't use and that next time I would make sure I got them to her office in a timely manner......

Cindy asked me if I still had those tickets that I couldn't use as they can still be traded in for other games that the Blazers are calling "Raincheck Night". Apparently there are several through the season. Check your schedule for the checkmarks on the nights. These are the nights that old tickets can be traded in for. The next one from what I understood is Friday March 13.

So if you have unused tickets sitting around, go and trade them in for yourself for "Raincheck Night". Or if that doesn't work for you, take them to the Big Brother and Big Sister office so that they can trade them in and allow families who might not be able to otherwise go a chance to enjoy a Blazer game.

Curbside Pick Up

2009-02-05T00:36:00.000-08:00

Well Kamloops it is soon to be year that you have enjoyed the convenience of curbside recycling...

But I'm wondering when apartment buildings are going to get it? Apartments in Vancouver have it...

So what is the issue??

Conserving

2009-02-05T00:27:00.000-08:00

I heard about this idea at a dinner party recently and then just read about it...This idea will sve money and the environment (since no new clothes are made, no dyes are used and packaging is eliminated)....

I love clothes and whenever I can I buy myself something new to wear...But what to do with the old clothes or the clothes you don't wear any more?

Make a party out of swapping clothes...get some friends together and exchange clothes, bags, shoes...Anything that doesn't get taken or swapped can go to your favourite charities...

So now you have a refreshed wardrobe eliminating the need to buy something new and you've saved the environment of all the pollutants that make those things....and did I mention the packaging?

Besides that you ar e contributing to the overall well-being of not only yourself but other people as you socialize adding to the sense of community that seems to be so lost on us here in North America...

Like you needed an excuse to socialize...happy swapping!!!!

In this Day and Age

2008-10-20T13:59:00.001-07:00

I recently stayed at the Days Inn in Penticton for work reasons. When I'm away for work, I try to drink as much water as possible. I buy a lot of water. I know that this is not the best thing to do, but that is how it is for me.

Anyways I was quite disgusted by the hotel. I asked them what they do with the bottles. Get this: they just throw them out...into the garbage!!!!

Are you kidding me? In this day and age? So I packed up the bottles and gave them to someone whom I knew would use them...

I guess the moral of my story is to make sure you are staying in hotels that are doing their moral, social and environmental duty to the city, the province, the country, the world and the planet!!!!

Carbon Tax

2008-09-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

I went to a talk the other night by a SFU researcher and professor, Dr. Marc Jaccard. He spoke quite eloquently policies and economy around climate change. It was really quite fascinating.

Now, I am not going to go into the details of his talk since I'm sure there is probably a lot of information out there that is much more accurate than what I might be able to reproduce.

What I am going to discuss is my fascination with one part of his talk that got me to thinking....Dr. Jaccard showed a map that showed how much emissions different parts of the world emit. Rather than figures, the countries were distorted in size based on the amount of emissions they produced.

The continent of Africa was quite skinny while, surprise surprise, America was extremely fat. This kind of distortion would probably also be true if we were talking about obesity rates...so then I got to thinking...nothing happens in isolation....

So here it goes...In North America, we are in a hurry...it is all about convenience...thus processed food and of course waste. Because we are always in a hurry, we like drive thrus....think about that for a minute...emissions from our cars, waste fromt the containers and packaging, and of course what often turns out to be unhealthy options....

This leads to the next issue we have in North America and that is not being socially or neighbourhood oriented. We drive to a big box store (often not in our neighbourhood) where we buy all the huge amounts we need to last a week (at least) and we deal with a customer service rep that is really only concerned about when the shift will be over and when pay day is...more emissions, more packaging, no concern for quality and no social contact...

In other parts of the world, people often shop daily...they walk a few blocks to the vegetable market or the butcher. They stop to talk to their neighbours on the way...they get to a place where the owner/sales person is most concerned about selling a quality product. Yes, he wants to make money, but his livelihood and business are dependent on making repeat customers happy.

So now I'm wondering about the value of cities and neighbourhoods. I'm concerned for the small business owner and the local farmer trying to sell his produce at the weekly market.

I'm beginning to see that obesity, social issues and climate change are not necessarily disconnected from one another....My hope is that while other parts of the world strive for the American dream, they hang on to what is essentially good about what they already have.

Kamloops' Possible Theme Song

2008-09-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

Given the amount of beautiful land that we keep clearing to build perhaps the theme song in Kamloops should be ...well I don't know the title, but I know it goes "Take paradise and put up a parking lot". Sad but true!!!!

Gas Prices

2008-06-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

As you know, the cost of gas is the highest it has ever been in Kamloops, and I'm sure that it is only going to get higher over the summer and into the fall. While we moan and groan about the cost of fueling our vehicles, here is something to consider. The prices here in Kamloops, BC, Canada and North America or no where near what they have been and are in Europe and in Asia. North America is just catching up to its counterparts around the world. And why not? Countries as rich as Canada and America should pay up for their consumption. So hang on Kamloops, this ride is about to get a bit more expensive.

Cleaning Out

2008-06-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've seen a different way to get rid of all of unwanted clutter. I've seen unwanted things left on the street or right beside dumpsters. All of it free for the taking. Bbques, vacuums...you name it. So next time you've outgrown something that still works, put it out for someone else to enjoy.

Public Transport

2008-03-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Love it? Not quite. Accept it? Yes; finally!!!!

I am talking about the Greyhound Bus. It has only been in the past eight months that I started taking Greyhound regularly. I resisted at first, but have succumbed to my husband's desire to travel Greyhound.

I've taken the Greyhound at different times in my life to various places out of necessity. In these past months, it has been only between Kamloops and Vancouver.

My husband asked me today if I liked it. No, but I've come to accept it. I know that my husband is most concerned about the environmental impact of driving a car...Now there is the cost of gas to consider. I like to drive my car. I worked hard to buy my own car. I enjoy the privacy and freedom it gives me. I like the fact that I can travel at my leisure and stop at the Blue Moose in Hope for as long as I like.

However, I generally don't sleep well, and I don't like facing the responsibility of a long drive. The bus gives me the chance to sit back and relax without this added responsibility. Really once I get to Vancouver, everything I need is within walking distance. I don't have to worry about the space or the cost of parking. If I visit my friend, she is happy to drive us anywhere we need to go. When I go to Kamloops, my home is only a hop, skip and a jump away from the bus depot. So ultimately, my need for my own vehicle in Vancouver is very limited.

I've gotten to a point where I'm actually considering using public transport for my summer vacation. I know there is the environmental concerns; for me, it is more about my sanity.

The Dryer

2008-03-17T10:24:00.001-07:00

Recently,we've had problems with our dryer and have had to hang everything. For me personally, this is extremely inconvenient. Nothing like throwing everything into a machine and an hour later it comes out warm, fluffy and ready to go. Hanging takes time about 10-15 mins/load. It then takes time for the clothes to dry. Worst of all, I have to be organized.

The rub...using a dryer is not good for our environment. It takes a lot of energy and emits a lot of garbage.

So while my clothes don't come out warm and soft, I will continue to hang everything to do a good deed for the air around us.

MacClean's List of Dangerous Cities in Canada

2008-03-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

This past week MacClean's published a list of the most dangerous cities in Canada. Lo and Behold Kamloops was twelfth on its list.

Considering the air quality this morning (Monday March 17, 2008 - 9:00am) and all of the stuff that is being emitted into the air over on the Weyerhauser side of the river, it is surprising that we are not first on the list (dangers do come in all shapes, sizes, forms and smells).

So come on Weyerhauser - clean it up!!!!!

Recycling Story

2008-03-11T03:58:00.000-07:00

Last week, CBC interviewed a Kamloops woman (I don't remember her name), who had been collecting recyclables for the collection program.

So you might say???? Well she has been collecting them for two years!!!! Two years worth of recyclables in bags in the back yard!!!!!!

More than that, when she and her family were out for a walk, they would pick up recyclables on the road.

So whoever you are?!!!! Bravo!!!!!!!!!

By the way, I do hope the City will grant you some leniency in the first couple of pick ups as you deserve to be free of all that...

Walmart

2008-03-11T03:52:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Walmart for working towards a more environmentally-friendly future!!!

Now I know many don't like Walmart for a variety of reasons but here are two that might make it just a bit more palatable....

They are carrying more environmentally products.
They are putting solar panels into many of their new buildings in the States.

Let's see if they can continue with this...

Food

2008-02-14T14:13:00.001-08:00

Anyone who knows me knows that food is a very important part of my life. Recently CBC had a story on urban food and gardens (I didn't catch all of the story, but believe that this is the gist of it). Basically, cities should work to deliberately produce food...mainly what they can in a garden. The food would then be made available to a wider group of people in the city. This would cut down on the transportation of food; thus, the output of fossil fuels. Also, gardeners could grow food that is free of chemicals and hormones. Besides that, greenery is good for our minds, bodies and souls. Creating a neighbourhood garden or a rooftop garden is certainly one way to accomplish this given that there seems to be less and less urban space. Given the rising costs of just about everything, creating an urban garden this spring and summer actually makes a lot of sense.

Containers

2008-02-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

I was recently in Paris, France and enjoyed myself immensely. One of my favourite things to do in a foreign country is to visit grocery stores. I went to several different Mono Prixs around the city. I was struck by how different they were from one another. Anyways I found a snack that was not just pure yum but also more environmentally friendly than what we have here in North America - chocolate pudding. This pudding is made with real chocolate, even the cheap brands are made with real chocolate...better than that, the pudding comes in glass jars. Here in North America, puddings come in plastic cups. Now I know these cups are recyclable, but here in Kamloops, there is no where (not yet anyways) to recycle plastic food containers that yogurt or pudding comes in. Glass jars make the puddings look richer, more luxurious and taste better. So to all the pudding/yogurt manufacturers in North America, learn from your European counterparts to make a better product that will be friendlier to our environment.

Finally!!!!

2008-01-31T11:46:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Kamloops on finally getting a recycling program. March 17, 2008....It is about time!!!!!

Kudos

2008-01-17T10:42:00.000-08:00

I was pleased to find out yesterday that both Purdy's and the Body Shop now have biodegradable plastic bags to put purchases in. While the ideal situation would be to eliminate plastics altogether, I would say that this is the next best solution. Kudos to both of these shops for working towards a better environment!!!!

Conundrum

2008-01-16T10:57:00.000-08:00

I find it very interesting that Kamloops City Council has decided to ban backyard burning. I understand the reasoning behind this. What I don't understand is given their reasons, how can they let Weyerhauser continue with all its emissions? Scarier than the emissions we see, smell and breath are the emissions that we don't see, smell or breath.

Appalled

2008-01-10T18:11:00.001-08:00

I was at Save On Foods recently on a Sunday evening and was quite disgusted. This store that collects and gives money for recyclable containers throws away their own flyers. They through away in the garbage their newspaper advertisements. So what if you can't get money for it, it is garbage? This is just sheer laziness not to mentioned just appalling in this day and age.

Old Magazines

2008-01-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

Someone asked about where to take old magazines...so here are a couple of ideas other than putting them in mixed paper recycling bin at the City.

Take them to the hospital for the patients who are bed-ridden.
Take them to your local gym...I know that those sitting on the bikes like to read them.

Hope this helps.

Long Time No Write

2008-01-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

I'm back and hope that here in 2008 I will be more diligent about writing. Hope everyone keeps reading.

Getting Help

2007-05-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

I was into Nature's Fare today and the cashier asked me how I liked Amy's Organic Soups. Black bean and vegetable and chicken noodle are my favourites. I also like minestrone. These soups are $2.99. Now some of you might say well that's expensive for soup. Maybe so...but I used to eat out 4-8 times each week. Calculate that at probably an average of $15/meal. So $3.00 for a bowl of soup or a meal in my case is cheap. I've also lost 35lbs in the past seven months with a little help from Amy's Organic Soups. Now by no means is this all I am eating...but it sure has helped. Yes, these soups are more expensive than what you would find at big box stores, but the price I would pay for not making this change in my life is ultimately far higher.

Monday May 21, 2007

2007-05-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

I was downtown by Value Village last night. I was appalled by the garbage strewn out on the street...This morning I went down the connector and right there on the side were a couple of garbage bags...broken open with stuff hanging out...Shame on whoever created such messes on our roads!!!!

Planting

2007-05-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I have done a good thing this long weekend and got my balcony garden going. Last year was the first year I did this. I went a little crazy with over 20 planters. However, I was pretty successful with it and excited to give gardening another shot. Mind you, I haven't filled every planter yet...The one thing that I accumulated last year and again this year are those plastic containers that the plants come in. So here it is...take those containers back to your local greenhouse and hand them over. Last year, I took them back to the Smorgasbord and they were happy to take them. While you are doing something good for the air, your neighbourhood and your general well-being, don't forget to go that one step further and recycle the plastics all of those plants come in.

Happy Earth Day!!!

2007-04-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

I hope that you are enjoying the day. The sun is out and the sky is blue. I hope that we are all working to keep our days like this and our earth alive and well. Recycle, walk, buy organic, reuse your bags (better yet get reusable bags), donate to local charities...Anything to make the earth and this world a better place to be.

Green Products

2007-04-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

I know that we are well into spring. Spring means working on our gardens and lawns. Today I saw a very environmentally friendly lawnmower. One that doesn't have the emissions of traditional mowers. This mower doesn't require any pushing or heaving. So check this product out at friendlyrobotics.com.

Adopt a Road

2007-03-24T23:53:00.000-07:00

I heard the advertisement for the Adopt-A-Road program. As I was driving through town, I was appalled by the conditon of the roads. There was garbage along most streets. So I'm glad to hear that this program exists. So Kamloops - get clean and go green!!!! Adopt a road!!!!

Green Canadian Cities

2007-03-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

Kamloops need to look at other cities around Canada for ideas to help protect even repair the environment.

Sudbury 35 years ago was compared to the moonscape. Astronauts were sent there to get an idea of what the moon was actually like. The problem: the land is barren. After 30 years or so of planting trees, the land is still barren. They figure that it will be another few hundred years before the land is healthy again.

Halifax is changing how garbage is disposed. Residents are expected to separate all the garbage - recyclables, organics, etc. Each garbage bag that is picked up is opened and sorted through again for the missed apple core or cola can. This means less garbage is going to the landfill and believe it or not not as smelly. Apparently the landfill in Halifax is only 10km away from the city core.

Toronto is also getting into the act. Companies got into the one tonne challenge and built energy efficient buildings. Another company found a way to change gases back into usable energy. They've also found a way to do this without burdening the taxpayers.

So what is City Council doing to make Kamloops a more environmentally city? How are the bigger companies here and in the area helping out? Where is the pressure to make the City and companies like Weyerhauser or Highland Valley Copper to clean up? Is Kamloops environmentally falling behind even bigger cities?

(All information about these three cities came from Peter Mansbridge on the National - March 12, 2007)

The Green Challenge

2007-03-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

I purchased the Canadian Living magazine over the weekend. I did it because I was out of town for work, I'm obsessed with cooking ideas and because this was a green issue. They suggest ways to make your home energy efficient, environmentally friendly cleaning tips, and eco-friendly products. This is a great issue for those of you who would like to treat the planet better. You can also go to the Canadian Living website for more information and ideas. Go Green Go!!!

Make up

2007-03-04T17:06:00.001-08:00

With the exception of lipstick or lip gloss, I don't wear make up at all. I don't even wear lip gloss all that much. Even so, I've become obsessed with collecting the different colours that I find.

Recently, Nature's Fare has started to carry lip gloss by Alba - TerraGloss. For $6.99, you can have naturally shimmering lips. Check out their website at http://www.albabotanica.com/index.php?id=411.

This lip gloss is free of different chemicals including petroleum. The six different colours are naturally mineral based.

I really like the shimmer of these lip glosses. The colours are varied and beautiful. I do wonder what the difference is between the two colours - garnet and blaze.

Anyways I like these products. The price and the colours are comparable if not better than the price and colours of lip glosses sold at the Body Shop. So if you want to do something natural and beautiful for your lips, consider using TerraGloss by Alba.

Empty Buildings

2007-03-01T13:44:00.000-08:00

Around town, there seem to be several empty building. One that is soon to be empty here in town is the United Furniture building. I'm okay with empty buildings as there isn't anything we can do about them.

What I can't understand is why new businesses coming to town feel it necessary to clear a piece of land and put up a new structure. Why are they not using existing buildings and adapting them? Why is the City allowing this to happen? Are there not incentives for these companies to renovate and use existing facilities?

Congrats to the sports store that took over the JYSK building!!!

Comments on David Suzuki

2007-02-28T22:56:00.000-08:00

I've had one reader talk a little about David Suzuki's talk here in Kamloops. I did hear that our Mayor, Mr. Lake, was getting the gears on Sunday.

It would be great to hear a little about that and what City Council's role and responsibility should be on the issue of the environment.

David Suzuki

2007-02-25T14:24:00.000-08:00

I didn't get to see David Suzuki today here in Kamloops. So if anyone out there would like to leave a comment about how it went and what he had to say, that would be great.

The Winter Embarrassment

2007-02-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

I'm embarrassed to say that after all of the hoopla over winning the International Communities in Bloom award, our city looks and smells like this...and the worst part is David Suzuki is going to be here tomorrow to see it...

Follow up to Today's Rex Murphy Show

2007-02-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

I was really glad to hear Rex tackle the topic of global warming and what we are willing to do about it.

Towards the end of the show, he was talking to a guest whose name I didn't catch. But I do remember that I was quite disturbed by something he said. It went something like this...

As world leaders (the Western governments), we are responsible for leading the way in reversing the effects of global warming and cleaning up.

I'm not sure if this next part was said or if it was alluded to, but it went something like this...

We can't expect countries like China and India to do this.

This very ethnocentric view is what has gotten us into losing situations like Iraq and Afghanastan. I guess situations where we think we know best, and those who don't agree are savages that need to be taught a lesson.

This speaker also failed to mention that while India and China are huge contributors to this environmental problem, we are the ones who started it.

Our demand for bigger, cheaper, faster has led to mass industry in these countries. Countries where labour and materials are much cheaper than they are here in the west.

We've also created the American dream...the big house, big car, a boat...etc....This is something that people have died trying to acquire...and thus the need for more manufacturing and bigger stores...What the rest of the world doesn't realize is that without the constant, compulsive consumerism, there is actually nothing of substance there.

All of this has led to other very pertinent social issues such as obesity. If you look at other countries, the incidence of obesity is far less than it is here in North America. having travelled to many different countries, I have see that with the invasion of junk food and fast food, obesity is on the rise. All for what, to live the so-called American dream.

Yes, there need to be leaders in eradicating global warming. We can't rely on the governments of the world to do this. Nor can we rely on the west. As inhabitants of planet Earth, we need to take responsibility for this very large problem and act now.

Rex Murphy

2007-02-04T13:12:00.000-08:00

Today Sunday February 4, 2007 from 1:00-3:00 (PST) on CBC, Rex Murphy is discussing the personal cost of decreasing global warming. I'm sure I'll post about the show. In the meantime, I'm listening and hope you will too.

Two Evils

2007-02-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

This past year, I started shopping at Nature's Fare in Kamloops. Some of their prices are a bit higher, but I like the quality of their products. A lot of what I buy is organic - soups, biscuits, cookies...Organic is good for the environment and better for our bodies. The issue I have is the packaging. Chips, biscuits, cookies and such have a lot more packaging than conventional products of a similar type. Typically, there will be one or two cookies in foil or plastic packaging; all of these will be in a plastic tray; all of this will then be held together by a box or plastic wrap. So, we are doing something good for ourselves and supposedly for the environment. But ultimately, we are hurting our environment with all of the wrap that gets thrown away. I'm still trying to figure out which is the worse of the two evils.

Global Warming

2007-02-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

This morning a report was released discussing the dire consequences of using fossil fuel. Now Green Peace is after Ottawa and our government to start rectifying this condition. The way it was expressed on Global was that without the leadership of our governments, there was little we could do.

Just because we vote for a complacent government, doesn't mean that we also have to be complacent. Perhaps it is because of complacency that we end up with a complacent government.

I don't know that things would be all that different with a different government (I believe that bureaucracy beats all of the best intentions down).

Individually, we can do so much and reverse the effects of our negligence. When I hear about young children who raise money and build wells in Africa, I know that we can fix this problem. It is time to wake up and take some responsibility for the condition of our Earth. Let's clean up, recycle, share, walk...whatever it takes.

The Air We Breath

2007-01-31T22:07:00.001-08:00

I have travelled extensively overseas, and I'm always glad to come back to Kamloops. One time I was visiting after being away for almost four years and I started crying. It was snowing and quiet. I didn't think after being overseas for four years that there could be anything so beautiful. Now many of the places I've been to are filthy dirty. I spent a lot of time in Tsuchiura, Japan, a town north of Tokyo. I loved it as it reminded me a lot of Kamloops. Tsuchiura is located on the second largest lake in Japan. I also spent a lot of time around that lake. In the summer, it was impossible to walk by the lake without covering your mouth and nose. I wasn't the only one who couldn't stand the smell. Because of the heat, an algae rose from the bottom of the lake. This algae was the cause of the this horrible suffocating smell.

So what does this have to do with Kamloops?

Recently, the air is cloudy and smelly. Is this really cloud? Or is it pollution? This is much like what I saw in Japan. Our sunsets, while brilliant, are often like that because of the air quality. The sunsets in Japan were of the same quality. What's next? Our rivers? We rely on the Thompson River for everything...our recreation, our water...If the river isn't already affected, I'm afraid that it is next. If our rivers become the same as that poor lake in Japan, we are seriously compromising our quality of life. Do we really want to live in the environmental conditions that exist in Asia and many countries around the world? Now is the time to start taking care of our earth, our environment. What kind of home do we want in our future? What legacy are we leaving for the next generation?

The City of Kamloops and various businesses around town need to start taking some responsibility. As of right now, Earth is the only place where we can live, so it is time to clean up and take some responsibility not only for our house but also for our home, Earth.

Dining Out

2007-01-29T11:40:00.000-08:00

Recently, I saw a feature on a new way to get food and eat. These young people were going into dumpsters and getting food that had been thrown out. They were finding food that hadn't been open and had only been expired for just a very short time. They worked together and created meals with what they had found. I had the impression that they also found vegetables, washed and ate them. This style of eating is not for everyone. However, perhaps it will make us think twice about throwing out unopened food just around the expiry date. Perhaps we should also consider that rather than opening the package and only eating a little bit we should just throw out the whole thing and let the dumpster divers have it. For those who might consider trying this new style of dining, you would certainly save money, cut down on the amount of garbage going out and definitely cut down on overall consumerism.

Christmas Recycling

2006-12-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

I know that it has been a long time since I've written, but the Mid-Day News here in Kamloops inspired me to get going again.

Larry Reed interviewed a City person who said that along with our regular garbage can we can put out three standard size garbage bags for the first collection after Xmas.

I just want to remind everyone that much of what we might put out in the garbage can be recycled.

Xmas wrap along with the cardboard rolls can go into the mixed paper bin.
Xmas wrap that is in good shape can be saved and reused next year.
Tin cans can go into the food can bins and food bottles can go into the glass bin.
Your Christmas tree can go out to Cinnamon Ridge for composting.
Liquor bottles and cola cans can be cashed in at General Grants.
Unwanted gifts can be donated to the Salvation Army or God forbid...regifted.

Any other suggestions....Happy New Year and Happy Recycling!!!

My Mistake

2006-05-09T00:31:00.000-07:00

So I mentioned in a previous post that you could get a refund for food cans and milk cartons. This is not the case. Food cans can be taken to the city bins. Even though the milk cartons look like the pictures at General Grants, it is only juice containers that look like this that get a refund. My apologies for any confusion.

Other Options

2006-04-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

As you are sorting through your recycling and wondering where they go,think about donating things like egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, film canisters...etc...to the YM/YWCA or the Eureka Science Program. They can use these materials for arts and crafts or experiments.

Coffee

2006-04-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

I love coffee and order coffee out at least one morning a week. Every time I get a coffee to go, I end up with a paper cup and sometimes even a styrofoam cup...Can you believe that there are coffee shops and restaurants that still use styrofoam???? Ahhhhhhh....Now I am as guilty as the next person in not using my own to go mug...In fact, there is quite the collection in our house. So here is what I propose...it should be the challenge of every coffee drinker who doesn't stay at the shop to carry a to go mug at all times...just in case...or perhaps the coffee shops should offer a cut in price for those who do use a to go mug...More than $.10 that Starbucks offers would be incentive enough to go through the effort of carrying and cleaning a to go mug on one's own.

City of Kamloops

2006-04-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

When will you get a more comprehensive recycling program??????

Food

2006-04-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

I love to eat, but the one thing that I cannot stand is food waste. Last night, I was at the Columbo Lodge for chicken, salad and pasta. Always the same; always good. Anyways, I learned at my previous visit, that anything that doesn't get eaten on the tables is thrown away. I asked about this again last night, and nothing had changed. I would like to see the unused food donated to the New Life Mission, the Women's Shelter or the Food Share program. I'm sure that any of these places would appreciate the donation. Now I understand that there is some law that holds an organization responsible if someone who eats the donated food becomes sick. I also understand that the organization cannot control what happens to the food once it gets to the table. Did someone have to stick their thumb into the platter of meat in order to pass the plate around? Did someone pick something off the serving plates with their fingers? However, there are some things that can be controlled. The ten people at our table only ate half a bowl of pasta; there were two pieces of chicken left over. The Columbo Lodge should give out smaller portions to each table. I know that some tables will go through two or three bowls of pasta, but the beauty of this is that the bowls can be refilled. Anything else left in the kitchen can be saved for next time orvery safely donated.

Dumpsters

2006-04-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

Like I mentioned previously, I live in an apartment and all of our garbage is thrown into a communal dumpster. Because of my recycling efforts, it seems we are producing about half (if that) the garbage we once did. I only wish that other apartment dwellers were so conscience of what they throw out. This week when I put out my trash, I saw a baby's car seat with a few extras - blanket, rattle....I almost wanted to go in there and make sure that the baby wasn't in there too!!!! Now I know that baby seats need to be approved and probably have a limited life. But this seat looked in pretty good shape.

So here are some options for recycling (everything):

The City recycle bins take: food tins, milk jugs, cardboard, mixed paper and newspapers.

At General Grants, you can get money for: milk cartons/juice cartons, small plastic milk containers, juice boxes, cans, bottles, and food tins.

Donate old clothes and household goods to: Penny Pinchers, Salvation Army Thrift Store, Value Village and Big Brothers and Big Sisters (they take it to Value Village for $).

Take good used items to Mint Condition Boutique and the Mulberry Bush (children's items) on a consignment basis. (I'm sure the Mulberry Bush would know whether that car seat is any good).

Or have your own garage sale!!!

I apologize if I missed any place to recycle or donate, but as you can see there are lots ofthings you can do to keep your so-called garbage out of the landfill. As the commercial says, "return it; it's worth it!!!"

Dumpster Divers

2006-04-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Not only am I obsessive about recycling but I'm also obsessive about keeping an eye on our neighbourhood. I live in an apartment building, and through my neighbourhood watch, I've come to know who the regular dumpster divers are. I leave them be. These dumpster divers provide a very valuable service - they find the recyclables that they can cash in. This helps them get a bit of money and keeps recyclable material out of the dump. I was quite perturbed and disturbed lately on the last few of my neighbourhood watches. Other tenants were yelling at these dumpster divers that they were drunk bums and to get out. Like I said before, I know who the regulars are through the neighbourhood...They are relatively harmless. I asked them if they needed me to call the police. Of course not!!! I wish I had...I found the whole exchange upsetting and very unnecessary. So the next time you stoop so low as to yell off dumpster divers, think about a few things. They need a bit of cash, they do a job that is below what Canadians are willing to do for work and they do a good service for our environment.

2006-04-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

This is obviously the first post to this blog. I am very concerned about the environment, the earth and our future on this planet we are so lucky to call home. I have become obsessive about recycling for many reasons including the ones above. This blog will be my experiences and observations as I work to recreate a healthy environment for myself and the rest of the inhabitants in this city and on this earth.