This November it will be 25 years since the community recycling began in Flin Flon.
In the early days, funding to ship the first three loads came from community sources, but it was evident the program needed support from other sources if it was to survive and grow.
Graham Craig was the mayor in 1994 when we first approached the City of Flin Flon for money for recycling as it is part of waste management. I remember meeting with Mr. Craig several times about it.
He was very encouraging. I knew he was promoting recycling at City Council.
In 1996, the City of Flin Flon gave recycling a $65,000.00 donation. That decision of City Council was the reason recycling moved forward instead of struggling along and probably dying.
Graham’s contribution was more than just as mayor. Graham and his wife Grace volunteered as sorters for several years in the early 2000’s .
He was on the Board of the Coop when they made a donation to recycling.
Even today when our paths cross he inquiries about recycling and is very encouraging.
I remember asking Graham to make a few comments at the AGM for the tenth year of recycling.
His comments have stayed with me. He said “As concern about environmental issues grows, recycling gives people something they can do every day to make things better.”
It is exciting to see more households recycling and making a difference. Graham’s contributions are a huge part of the current success of recycling in our community.
This recognition is well deserved and long overdue.
Thank you Graham Craig.