Originally published  Apr 20/15 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Today is the 45th anniversary of Earth Day.

The first one was in 1970. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin was inspired after seeing the devastation of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California in 1969.

He saw the great energy youth were bringing to the anti- war movement and decided to channel it to bring attention to the activities causing environmental damage.

Awareness of the pollution problem  had been growing since the early 1960’s. Senator Nelson, a Democrat recruited Senator Pete McCloskey, a Republican and hired a national coordinator who provided information and organized events.

The day was a rousing success with many demonstrations across the United States. It brought together people from both sides of the politics, and all walks of life. Many people were concerned about specific issues such as oil spills, factory pollution, raw sewage dumping in water, toxic waste dumps, pesticide use, loss of wilderness and animals becoming extinct.

In 1990 it went global with 200 million people in 45 countries.

The focus has changed to recycling in 1990 and climate change in 2000, which is an ongoing issue.

Things have changed in 45 years. There is more consideration of the environment and laws to protect it.

More needs to be done.

A short paragraph labelled ‘The Danger Zone’ on the Bad News page of the February 2, 2015 Maclean’s magazine stated that according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,  temperatures last year were the hottest every recorded. Researchers in the journal ‘Science’ say we have now crossed four of nine ‘planetary boundaries needed for people to thrive. They include changes to climate, oceans and biodiversity.

Every day needs to be Earth Day.

Originally published  Apr 15/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Flin Flon City Council Chambers is the place to be on Wednesday April 29 at 7:00 p.m. It is the Annual General Meeting of the Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc., the non-profit organization which operates the community recycling program.

The organization evolved from the Flin Flon Round Table on the Environment and the Economy formed in the late 1980’s. The small group of people remaining decided to be the Environment Committee in 1992. The goal was to encourage people to be more environmentally friendly.

Recycling was becoming common in many places, so the Committee researched the possibilities. The first recycling collection was November, 1992.

As recycling grew, so did the need for donations and grants. The group incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1995. This made it a legal entity, providing the accountability required for funding organizations.

That was 20 years ago.

At that time, all the work was done by volunteers with the exception of a couple of summer students.

Today the organization has 10 employees. It is a landlord, a contractor for landfill services as well as operating a successful community recycling collection program.

Recycling is the main focus so other environmental issues are on the back burner.

Over the year, 32 different people have served on the Board of Directors for the organization. Three have been there since the beginning.

New Board members are always welcome.

The first half of the meeting on April 29 is your opportunity to find more about the recycling program and to ask questions.  There will awards for local businesses, individuals and employees.

For more information call 204 687 6169.

A Brief History of Recycling is available at www.flinflonrecycing.org/news. 

Originally published Apr 8/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Check out the recycling booth this year at the Leisure show at the Sportex April 23, 24 & 25. It is designed to encourage more people to recycle, and to make it easier for those who are.

There will be samples of what is recyclable and draws for recycling bags and bins. Staff will be available to answer questions.

Many households are recycling. Current recycling tonnages indicate the majority are not.

Why is this?

Weekly residential recycling pickups, and a trailer at Extra Foods makes it is easier than ever before to recycle instead of sending everything to the landfill.

The Recycling Centre and the Recycle Everywhere program survey last summer asked what prevented people from recycling at home.

Lack of space and lack of information were the most common of the reasons given. Laziness was next at 13%.

The amount of space needed is much less with weekly residential pickups in both Creighton and Flin Flon. Sorting materials is not required so everything can go in one container.

If the cost of the red bag in Flin Flon is a problem, recycling can be dropped off at the trailer in the lot beside Canadian Tire and Walmart or at the Recycling Centre at 9 Timber Lane.

Pickup is free in Creighton.

Information is available at the grocery stores, on the web at www.flinflonrecycling.org, on the Flin Flon Recycling Facebook page or by calling 204 687 6169.

So there really is no reason not to recycle.

The survey reflected this as 41% didn’t list anything that prevented them from recycling and 10% said nothing.

Come see us at the Leisure show. We will help you get started. 

November 1992 and April 1993
-       4 day collection of paper into a Gardewine semi trailer parked at the Market Garden
-       cost of shipping covered by donations, no financial return
-       Shipped 13 tons.

April 1993 to November 1994
-       paper collected one Thurs. and Sat./month (weather permitting) at the Market Garden
-       Paper packed in small boxes for storage in used semi trailer purchased through donations and a grant. Re-packed boxes into truck for shipment to Winnipeg. Shipping costs covered by receiver, no financial return
-       Shipped 45 tons

 December 1994 – December 1995 -       moved indoors to 7 Timber Lane
-       open every Thursday and Saturday to collect materials
-       purchased forklift and pallet jacks
-       sold paper 
-       began collecting tin, glass, aluminum and #1 and #2 plastic and received subsidy through the Manitoba Product Stewardship Program to help cover costs.
-       Provided employment for 3 persons with disabilities
-       Shipped 50 tonnes of recyclables
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon- $6,500.

 1996
-       January: scale installed to weigh materials
-       April: purchased trailer with bins to allow the drop off materials anytime
-       May: 1st Annual Great Recycling Event, a fundraiser held at Baker’s Narrows Day
-       July: moved to building purchased at 6 Timber Lane
-       August: hired first paid staff person, Deb Odegaard, to administer program
                     : Purchased truck for materials pick up
-       October: purchased large baler allowing for better use of space and higher prices
-       collected newsprint, flyers, magazines, bond paper, egg cartons, paper bags, cardboard, boxboard, glass, plastic, tin, aluminum
-       Processed 100 tonnes of recyclables
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon- $65,000, Creighton - $1,000.

 1997
-       Carie McIntosh hired as administrator
-       May: hired second staff person in charge of baling, storing and shipping materials
-       October: hired Driver to collect cardboard from businesses
-       Trailer parked in Creighton and Cranberry Portage for a few days to collect materials
-       4 individuals with Disabilities worked 3 afternoons a week
-       Processed 150 tonnes of recyclables.
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon – $25,000, Creighton - $1,000

1998
-       increased pick ups of OCC
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon – $25,000, Creighton - $1,000.
-       Processed 200 tonnes

1999
-       Increased hours driver to accommodate pickups from 83 businesses
-       business and residential survey
-       First Blues social fundraiser – Brent Parkin & the Stingers
-       Processed 223 tonnes of recyclables
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon - $26,500, Creighton - $1,000

 2000
-       recorded over 4,000 volunteer hours
-       Residential pick up for fee set up for people who call
-       Entered partnership to provide administration for Flin Flon Green Project
-       Processed 242 tonnes of recyclables
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon – 27,500, Creighton - $3,000.

2001
-       New position created to sort materials and substitute as needed
-       Doreen Murray hired as administrator in June
-       Processed 285 tonnes
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon – 27,500, Creighton - $4,000

2002
-       2 workers through wage subsidy program with Mb Education and Training
-       Processed 298 tonnes
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon - $27,500, Creighton - $4,000

2003
-       Piloted Curbside pick up in residential areas in Feb. became full service in May
-       Request $25.00 per household to cover extra costs
-       Van purchased with Community Services grant
-       Processed 342 tonnes
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon - $27,500, Creighton - $4,000

2004
-       assumed responsibility for managing Flin Flon landfill – Feb 1
-       purchased new building – possession April
-       processed 420 tonnes – largest year to year increase
-       Municipal support: Flin Flon $27,500, Creighton - $4,000 DB - $500

2005
-       Introduced Sunday hours at landfill.
-       Processed 455 tonnes
-       Corrugated cardboard market collapsed in November
-       Municipal support Flin Flon $27,500, Creighton - $4,000.

2006
-       Processed 495 tonnes
-       11 employees
-       Grant for building improvements – Community Places
-       Grant for purchase of vehicle – Lottery funds(Community Services)
-       Municipal support, Flin Flon  $27,500  Creighton $4,000.


2007
-       Processed 500 tonnes
-       11 employees
-       Ended residential curbside pick up May 31
-       Municipal support, Flin Flon - $27,500   Creighton - $4,000
-       Required emergency funding to survive to year end. Flin Flon contributed an extra $6,000. Creighton contributed an extra $1,600.
-       Totals – Flin Flon $33,500. Creighton $5,600.

2008
-       Processed 398 tonnes (first drop in total ever)
-       Number of employees reduced to 8
-       Ended general business pick ups October 1
-       Introduced Business pick up fee to those who registered for the service
-       Revenue for sale of product dropped, had to pay for some materials to be taken by mills because of world economic crisis and drop in price of commodities
-       Initial municipal support – Flin Flon - $48,375. ($8. per capita) Creighton - $4,000.
-       Required emergency funding to survive to year end. Flin Flon contributed an extra $7,000. Creighton contributed an extra $8,000.
-       Totals – Flin Flon $53,688. ($9.19/capita)  Creighton $12,000. ($7.98/capita)

2009
 -     processed 239 tonnes (lowest amount since 1999).
 -     Revenue from sale of product was very low throughout the year
-      Public meeting in April showed strong community support to continue the recycling program.
 -     suspended Corrugate Cardboard recycling June 1 to maintain financial stability.
 -     provided e waste recycling depot from May - October through Green Mb.
 -     reduced staff by one position - 4 staff working 35 hours per week. No wage increase.
 -     Municipal contributions - Flin Flon  - $56,375. (9.66/capita), Creighton - $10,013. ($6.66 per capita)

2010
 -     243 tonnes recycled
 -     began pilot curbside pick up program in May for 4 months, extended to one year in August.
 -     provided e waste recycling program through Green Manitoba from May to end of October at the Recycling Centre.
 -     employees dropped to 5 by year end     
 -     one trainee began December for 6 months
 -     Municipal contributions - Flin Flon  - $56,375. (9.66/capita), Creighton - $14,509. ($9.66 per capita)
 -     Denare Beach declined curb side pickup for payment of per capita fee.

 2011
-           342 tonnes recycled which is the largest year to year increase
-           Red Bag Curbside pick up  established as ongoing program
-           E waste collected from May - October through Green Manitoba program
-           Municipal contributions – Flin Flon - $57,500. (9.85/capita), Creighton - $14,800., (9.85/capita)     

2012
-             382 tonnes recycled
-             E waste collection is established as a year round program following renovations.
-            Tipping fees were established at the Flin Flon Landfill July 1. Another staff person was hired as part of the contract with the City of Flin Flon to provide gate services.
-            Celebrated 20 years of recycling with a social November  
-            Municipal contributions  at $10.35/capita – Flin Flon  $57,887.00, Creighton - $15,504

2013
-       396 tonnes recycled
-       Deb Odegaard was hired as the program administrator when Doreen Murray retired after 12 years of service.
-       Stopped sorting most materials, shipping them comingled to Winnipeg for sorting at the end of October
-       Reduced staff by 1 position
-       3 shipments of e-waste were collected and sent
-       Municipal contributions at $11.40/person – Flin Flon $64,227.60, Creighton - $17,077.20
-       Denare Beach decided not to contribute to recycling.
-       Recycling Support payments of $618.00 were received from residents of Denare Beach and the lakes area.

2014
-       413 tonnes recycled.
-       Began dry cell battery recycling
-       Reduced Centre staff by a half position (4.5 positions)
-       Red Bags increased by $1.00 to $3.50/bag. Business pickups increased to $22.50
-       Creighton began free weekly curbside pickup May 1
-       City of Flin Flon purchased a trailer which was parked at Extra Foods for more convenient drop offs.
-       Three shipments of eWaste for a total of 27.98 tonnes.   
-       Municipal contributions at $11.40/person – Flin Flon $64,227.60, Creighton - $17,077.20. Residents of Denare Beach and the Lakes areas individually contributed $762.00.

2015
- 460 MT (metric tons or tonnes) recycled.
- 31 MT of e-waste recycled (3 shipments).
- 450 kg of batteries recycled.
- Red bag curbside recycling in Flin Flon changed to a weekly schedule in March. Route reduced to users only in September.
- Municipal contributions at $11.40/person – Flin Flon $64,227.60, Creighton - $17,077.20. Residents of Denare Beach contributed $207.00 and Lakes residents contributed $429.00.

2016
- 442 tonnes recycled. Co-mingled materials from households were up 11 tonnes. Cardboard tonnage dropped by 13 tonnes. 
- Co-oridnated 20 Minutes of Magic community clean up in May. 
- Dual recycling/garbage bins  installed on Flin Flon Main St to complete a joint project with City of Flin Flon and Flin Flon Neighbourhood Revitalization Corp.
- Began collecting paint, fluorescent bulbs, and thermostats for proper disposal.
- Denare Beach residents voted in favour of recycling in an October plebiscite. 
- Two shipments of ewaste for a total of 22 tonnes
- Municipal contributions remained at $11.40/person - Flin Flon $64,227.60, Creighton - $17,077.20. Denare Beach and Lakes residents individually contributed $976.25

Originally published  Apr 1/15 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Devil is in the Details

I was looking for a recycling bin on two occasions recently after rescuing an aluminium can from the garbage. I knew recycling bins were available. Both times I found one a considerable distance from the garbage container.

Recycling and garbage containers need to be paired. They are best side by side or less than 10 feet away. This gives people the choice to recycle or throw away.

If they aren’t paired many recyclables end up in the garbage and a lot of garbage ends up in recycling. The waste audit of the Main Street bins last summer found a 55% contamination rate in the recycling bins.

By the way, we are working with the City to pair the Main St. bins.

Drippy, Sticky or Gooey

My foot kept slipping off the pedal when I was driving the forklift the other day. I had stepped in a small puddle of liquid laundry soap that had dripped from a bale.

We find little puddles regularly when we move bales. Usually it is laundry soap. Once it was caramel sauce.

Containers with leftover liquids leak. The baling process pops lids and/or breaks the containers. Some paper products in the bale of mixed materials are contaminated as a result and won’t be recycled.

Containers don’t need to be perfectly clean, but should be rinsed and/or drained so they are not drippy, sticky or gooey. 

No Excuse

There really isn’t any reason not to recycle in Creighton and Flin Flon. Weekly home pick up service and no need to sort means it takes very little space.

It is amazing how little garbage will be left. Information is available at www.flinflonrecycling.org.

Originally published Mar 25/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

A couple of years ago I observed a community compost during a tour of the Steinbach landfill. It had been in operation for more than a year.

The compost was piled on a cement pad designed for drainage and for machines to turn it on a regular basis. The temperature inside the pile was monitored.  Compost needs to be warm enough for the process to happen. Once it starts the process it creates heat which keeps it going.

 Our tour guide said the pile had been warm enough to compost all winter.

People bring their compostables to the landfill. In the summer it is also collected on Saturday mornings at three depots in town. 

Steinbach uses the finished compost in their parks. It is free for people to use in their yards.

Composting reduces waste going into landfills by 30%.

There are 53 composting sites in Manitoba. 

The Manitoba government is encouraging more communities to compost.

Grants are available to develop a site and purchase equipment.  There are incentive payments for every metric ton (tonne) of compost made. 

Composting makes a lot of sense in our community. Most of the black soil here came from somewhere else.  Free compost would be put to good use.

A community compost at the landfill makes the most sense in my opinion. Materials for composting should be exempt from tipping fees like tires and metal.

This program is quite new in Manitoba. The mayor of Flin Flon has expressed interest in finding out more. 

I am not sure what is available in Saskatchewan for Creighton and Denare Beach.

Composting would be a great program for the whole community, regardless of provincial boundaries.