Originally published July 8/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Vacation is often a time when it is hard to find a place to recycle. Fortunately, the campgrounds in our area have recycling bins from Recycle Everywhere. They are well used.

A five-ton truck from Bakers Narrows brought a load to the Centre last week. We received another truck load Monday from the Grassy Narrows campgrounds.

I decided the topic for this column during the four hours it took me to go through the bags that arrived Monday.

Most of the items were beverage containers that are very recyclable.

Beverage containers should be emptied. Many are not. Everything was very wet. The large bags were dripping. We parked the bins with these bags by the drain. I went through the bags on our large utility sink.

Beverage containers, especially aluminum cans need to be contaminant free for recycling. Things like rocks, cigarette butts, plastic labels, food and other items are contaminants and need to be removed. Often containers with things in them become garbage because it is too time consuming to remove them.

Minnow containers are recyclable but minnows are not. These containers should be empty. A quick rinse is appreciated.

Milk cartons and juice boxes are fine, but most paper items will not survive in the ride with the beverage containers because of amount of liquid in them. If you can, take newspapers and magazines home to recycle them. If you need to get rid of them right away, place them in a closed water tight bag.

Two disposable propane tanks came in the recycling. They should go separately to the hazardous waste depot at the Flin Flon landfill. 

It is great that campers are recycling. 

Originally published Apr 29/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

It was impossible to include all the information on the two pages both sides of notes from the research for last week’s column about the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  Most of it came from the CBC Quirks and Quarks broadcast ‘Earth Day 2020 the 50th Anniversary of the Weirdest Earth Day Ever.’

Here are some other interesting things I found.

A group of scientists got together for the International Geophysical Year in 1957. They wanted to work together in spite of the Cold War. As a result, the CO2 (carbon dioxide) observatory was built in Hawaii in 1960 which has shown the rapid increase in CO2 in the atmosphere.

Pictures of the earth from space that show details like air pollution and melting polar ice and computer modeling of the impacts of new information and activity have had a major impact on research.

Science is also becoming more specialized finding out little details about molecules and chemicals that affect the planet in important ways. Scientists from different areas are working together for a better understanding of the big picture which is becoming very complex.  

The current corona virus pandemic has shown what happens when human activity slows down significantly. The reductions in air and water pollution can be seen from space. Other changes have been observed in many places. As Phillipe Tortell, the oceanographer guest on Quirks and Quarks said, ‘the Earth is breathing easier’. 
​
We have made significant changes to meet the challenge of the global pandemic although these changes are for a short time.  May be some of the changes will become the new normal and we will be easier on the Earth.

Originally published July 1/20  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

​It is amazing how much stuff accumulates over time in our homes, especially if we have lots of space and stay in the same place for many years.

At some point much of that stuff needs to be gotten rid of. This often happens when people move especially to a smaller home or when an estate need to be taken care of.
The responsible thing to do is to sell, give away or send reusable items to second hand stores and to recycle as much as possible.

It is very important that only items that can be sold or recycled are dropped off at the stores or the Recycling Centre. Taking unsuitable items to these places creates a lot of extra work and garbage.

The Recycling Centre will take old magazines, papers and books as long as they are not too damp, musty smelling or moldy. Glass bottles and jars, plastic containers and cardboard can also be recycled. 

Please be careful that personal information like social insurance and credit card numbers is removed or shredded. All shredded paper must be in a separate bag.

The Recycling Centre also recycles electronics including computers and all related items, sound systems, televisions, telephones. Microwaves are the only recyclable appliance. Paint and paint cans are also accepted.

All hazardous items like pesticides and cleaners with the hazardous symbols should be taken to the Flin Flon Landfill.

Some of the things which are not recyclable are Cd’s, DVD’s, photographs and photo albums, dishes, pots and pans, and clothing.
​
We appreciate the desire to do the right thing when cleaning up.  Please check the list of recyclables on website at flinflonrecycling.org or call us at (204) 687-6169.

Originally published June 24/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

If you are like me it is painful to throw recyclables in the garbage when you are used to recycling them but there is no place to put them for recycling. This may happen when traveling or at a friend’s house who doesn’t recycle.  

It’s a hard habit to break although the good news is there is no good reason to break it! It is a habit that benefits the environment and reduces the cost of landfilling garbage.

In Manitoba, the Recycle Everywhere program has placed many different kinds of recycling bins in many public spaces including provincial parks, gas stations, hotels and workplaces. The two-cent enviro levy on beverage containers pays for these bins.

Collapsible recycling bins have been available to campers in parks for the past several years. They are now available to everyone. The Flin Flon Recycling Centre is an official distributor.

These bins or bags have a 13” square base and are 30” tall. They are handy for small spaces, for in the garage, on the deck or to take on a picnic.

They may be a good gift for non-recycling friends.

The bags are best used for beverage containers, other recyclable plastics and cans. A lot of paper and boxboard may be too heavy although they could handle the flattened boxes that beverages are packaged in.

Paper products and beverage containers can be put in the same bag to go to the Recycling Centre if the beverage containers are dry. Separating out the aluminum cans is helpful for the recycling staff although not required.

Keep the good habit going. If you want one or some of the collapsible bags contact us at (204) 867-6169.  

Originally published June 17/20  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

​The Recycling Centre collects a variety of things that can be made into new things rather than taking up space in landfills. This reduces the amount of resources taken from the earth.

It is last in order of importance of the classic three R’s for helping the environment – reduce, reuse, recycle.

It is important to remember that everything we have comes from the Earth. We should only use what we need and to rethink (another important R) what we really need.

Reusing things as much as possible makes sure we get the most value from what we have and reduces the amount of resources we take from the Earth.

There are many opportunities to reuse in our community.

The three businesses that provide opportunities for reusing are Freedom’s Way on Main St., the Second Hand Store at the Vocational Training Centre on Channing Drive and the ReUzIt store just off the Perimeter by the SPCA.

Reusing isn’t just for the items you no longer want. A good habit is to check these places for things you need before buying something new.

Freedom’s Way is a private business. The store at the Vocational Training Centre supports opportunities for Adults with Disabilities. Profits from ReUzIt are distributed as grants to local organizations by the operators.

The Trader’s Post, Buy and Sell, and Give and Take groups on Facebook also provide a great opportunity to reuse things.

Reusable items often arrive at the Recycling Centre. We may advertise them or pass them on to one of these organizations.

We also collect items individuals or groups need for a variety of reasons. If you need something call us at (204) 687-6169.   

Originally published June 10/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Recyclables from Flin Flon and lake residents are dropped off at the Recycling Centre at 9 Timber Lane or in the trailer beside Canadian Tire. The exception is those collected Wednesday morning by the red bag curbside service.

This is convenient as recyclables can be dropped off at any time.

Most are in closed bags or boxes but many items are left loose or in open boxes.
Two problems arise if recyclables are left loose at either location.

Recyclables get wet if the dock is full when it rains and/or if the wind is from the east. They also get wet in the trailer if they are along the outside walls. Soggy paper items end up in the garbage.

Wind often blows loose materials at the Centre off the dock creating a litter problem for the whole area.

Loose materials in the trailer means it takes a lot more time to empty it and increases the amount of cleanup needed afterward.  

Closed bags or boxes prevent this from happening.

Loose materials can be left at the Centre in the six large blue bins on wheels beside the blue semi-trailer attached to the building. 

Many people empty their reusable recycling containers into these bins. This reduces the need for plastic bags. The bags in these bins are reused many times.

The third problem arises when recyclables contain food and when food garbage is included with recyclables in a bag or loose on the dock.

There are very smart resident ravens who will find these things and leave a mess behind.
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These problems are solved when all items dropped off are recyclable, not drippy, sticky or gooey and in closed bags or boxes. 

Originally published June 3/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

One of the main reasons’ communities have household recycling programs is to reduce the amount of garbage going to landfills.

Landfills have become more than a place to dump things we no longer want. The more accurate name is waste disposal grounds. There are areas set up to take specific kinds of waste so that amount of space needed for garbage is greatly reduced.   

Local landfills do not have the capacity to separate shingles, old cement and Gyproc like larger places but ten different things are recycled from them.

Hazardous waste including paint, flammable, poisonous and corrosive materials are collected at the Household Hazardous waste depot at the Flin Flon landfill.

Used motor oil and antifreeze are hazardous waste as well that are collected separately at both the Flin Flon and Creighton landfills. The containers and oil filters are also recycled.

Used tires from both provinces are collected for recycling at the Flin Flon landfill only.
Automotive batteries are recycled at local landfills.

Metal is very recyclable and has value so metal items are collected separately. They are sold to a salvage company.

Propane tanks are collected and recycled.

Items containing refrigerant are collected in the compound at the Flin Flon landfill. The refrigerant, which is a harmful substance is removed before the item is recycled as metal. There is a $25.00 charge for this service which can be paid at the landfill or at Flin Flon City Hall.
 
Electronics are set aside at landfills and recycled through the Recycling Centre program.
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Cardboard is collected in a trailer at the Flin Flon and Denare Beach landfills.
It is no longer just the dump.

​Originally published May 27/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Recycling Centre has been involved in collecting hazardous materials for proper disposal for the last several years.

This is an important service. The percentage of waste that is hazardous is small but they cause serious environmental damage so they need to be disposed of in contained way.

Household hazardous products are easily identified by the danger symbols for explosive, flammable, poisonous or corrosive on their labels.

The Recycling Centre began accepting paint and compact fluorescent bulbs in March 2016. In July 2017 a full time collection depot for household hazardous waste (HHW) opened for all the communities at the Flin Flon landfill. This is more convenient than the previous collection one afternoon every September.

It is for household materials only. Items from businesses are not accepted.

Staff have been trained to carefully sort and store everything correctly.  
 
Paint and jerry cans of gasoline go in large black boxes the size of a pallet designed for easy moving and shipping.

Aerosol cans, fuel cylinders, poisonous and flammable materials, and fire extinguishers go in large metal barrels.

Corrosive materials are sorted into 5 different large plastic barrels. Extra care must be taken with these items as mixing the wrong ones can have serious, even fatal consequences.

Vermiculite is placed in the bottom of barrels containing liquid items and covered with it as the barrels are filled. Vermiculite is also used in tubskids filled with jerry cans of gasoline.

Shipping hazardous materials requires correct labeling and a lot of paper work. Miller Environmental, the company who receives the material, provides forms with the required information. We complete our part and ship with Gardewine.
​
Materials are shipped two to three times a year. 

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

It seemed like it took forever for spring to arrive although Facebook reminded me, we had a serious snowfall on May 3 last year. I remember another year we had to postpone a planned community cleanup for May 13 because six inches of snow fell May 11 and 12.

The arrival of spring this year doesn’t seem quite so bad after all. 

The pandemic has all of us learning and living new ways. The Recycling Centre continues to operate as it is an essential service.  We made some changes to increase safety for our employees.

There are other differences as well. The number of business pickups and the amount of recyclables in many pickups has dropped considerably.

Cardboard from the grocery stores was higher in March.

Recyclables continue to arrive from the curbside programs, the trailer by Canadian Tire and drop offs on at the Centre. May is often our busiest month as people bring the bags kept in the garage over the winter.

It seems staying at home increases thirst. The amount of aluminum cans and plastic beverage bottles being recycled has definitely increased.

As the snow melts the garbage it hid becomes an eyesore. Mother’s Day for Mother Earth, a Facebook group has inspired many individuals and families to clean up the mess. Our community is looking fabulous. It is unfortunate there won’t be many visitors this summer.

We recycled 4.5 tonnes less than last year by the end of April. The pandemic is responsible for some of the shortfall. The trend of the last few years of less paper and boxboard, which are heavier than plastic has affected weights as well.
​
Recycling continues in these unusual times. 

Originally published May 13/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc is a membership based non-profit organization. The bylaws describe how the organization operates to achieve its goals and make decisions. The bylaws require that an annual general meeting (AGM) of the membership is held before the end of April each year.

The Environment Council’s AGM is usually small gathering but it provides opportunities for interested people to find out more about the operations of the recycling program.

The restrictions on large group gatherings this year required some creativity to meet the AGM requirement. The business of the AGM was completed by email.

The financial report from the auditor was circulated by email with paper copies to members who do not have email access. Motions to accept the financial report, appoint and auditor and elect/appoint Board members were circulated and voted on by email or paper copy as needed.

Preparation for this ‘event’ didn’t happen until late April so there wasn’t any promotion of the event and Environment Council memberships.
 
As a result, the membership consisted of Board members only with the exception of someone who had participated in Board meetings and wanted to become a Board member.

Memberships in the Environment Council are available any time. Membership is a way to show support for the organization.  Members have access to information at the AGM or any time they request it. They can vote on the resolutions at membership meetings and can be nominated for election to the Board of Directors.

Annual membership fees are $5.00/year for an individual and $8.00 for a family.

Hopefully the 2021 AGM will be a real meeting with more members.

More information is available by calling (204) 687-6169.  

Originally published May 6/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

It is great to see the snow disappear now that spring is here. The part that is not great is the appearance of all the litter the snow was covering up.

Many volunteers take time to clean up our community each spring. This year the Facebook group ‘Mother’s Day for Mother Earth’ is mobilizing people to participate.

It is important to maintain physical distancing, but this should be easy in the great outdoors. Another way to be safe it is having people from the same household clean up one area.

Garbage bags and some gloves are available. Call the Recycling Centre to arrange pickup. Thank you to Acklands who donated them.

The City of Flin Flon will pick up the bags of garbage as needed. Call Mike at (204) 271-1381 to let them know where the bags are.

Be on the lookout for dangerous items such as used needles. Check the Facebook page for more information.

Cleaning up litter takes time and energy and is very rewarding. The difference it makes is very obvious.

There can be some interesting items among the cans, bottles, paper wrappers, plastic bags and coffee cups like clothing items, and a pregnancy test.

The fact that litter cleanup needs to be done is frustrating. If only everyone would hold on to their garbage until they found a garbage can or would put it in the garbage at home. Pickup truck drivers need to be sure items do not fly out of their truck box.
​
A big thank you goes out to the many volunteers who are stepping out to keep our community beautiful. If everyone does a little bit, it will make a big difference. 

Originally published Apr 22/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

​Today, April 22 is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

It was the idea of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who was very concerned about the effects the rapid growth of industrialization was having on the environment in the 25 years following WWII. No one seemed to care about the dumping of waste including newly created chemicals into the water, air and onto the land.

The 1960’s were a decade of protest and challenging the status quo about many social issues including poverty, racism and the Vietnam war.

A huge oil spill in California in 1969 horrified many. Information about the effects of DDT caused many to think about the effects new chemicals and random waste disposal from industry was having on the health of people and the environment.

Senator Nelson decided to make April 22, 1970 a day for citizens to take part in activities to raise awareness about protecting the Earth. Dennis Hayes, a 25-year-old graduate student helped organize many activities. The media spread the word.

An estimated 20 million Americans took part in the first Earth Day. The large crowds got the attention of many including politicians. Environmental regulations were put in place during the 1970’s in the United States and other countries.

The focus has changed in 50 years. One major success story is the world making changes that have greatly reduce damage to the ozone layer.

We still struggle with many issues including garbage and plastics, climate change and the huge loss of wild animals and birds.

More needs to be done.

Jana Stanfield said “You cannot do all the good the Earth needs, but the Earth needs all the good you can do. “

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

I have had the opportunity to work on the floor preparing materials for recycling recently. Aluminum cans, glass, garbage, and batteries are removed from the other recyclables before they are baled up and sent to Winnipeg for sorting.

Most bags and boxes have all the right things with nothing that is drippy, sticky or gooey. This tells me people are taking care to send us only recyclable items. 

There are some things that regularly show up in these bags that makes me think recyclers need more information.

1. Mixed materials

The most common example is cardboard containers with a metal bottom. These items cannot be recycled as either cardboard or metal. Coffee cans and Pringle containers are examples.
 
Plastic lined paper envelopes cannot be recycled.
 
Plastic bags or packing materials like Styrofoam and tissue paper left inside boxes must be removed before they are recycled.
 
Nesting also slows things down. This is when one kind of material is packed inside another. Cans in tissue boxes or plastics inside of cereal boxes are two examples. Both these items can be recycled. We have to separate them so they can be sorted in Winnipeg.
 
     2.   Non-recyclable items.
There are several things we receive regularly that are not recyclable. These include plastic bags/wrap, small break apart yogurt cups (they are #6 plastic) black plastic of any kind, food bags and boxes that are waxed or have food stains on them.

The January 22 Recycling Bin column included a very complete list of what is not recyclable.  A copy is available by emailing recycled@mymts.net or calling (204) 687-6169.         

Thank you for your efforts to make recycling work.                      

Originally published Apr 8/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Environment Council has had a contract with the City of Flin Flon to provide staff at their landfill since 2004. The City makes decisions about the organization and operations of the landfill. It also provides the maintenance of the landfill space.

It is reasonable as both recycling and landfills are part of waste management. Some have suggested that it would make sense to move the Recycling Centre to the landfill. It is highly unlikely that will happen however, because of cost.

The Environment Council entered this contract to help fund the recycling program a at time when municipal support and subsidies had not increased for several years. It has grown into so much more.

The oil recovery program and metal salvage were in place in 2004. Since then the landfill has also become the place where tires are collected for recycling.

In 2017 the household hazardous waste depot opened to collected hazardous materials for safe disposal. This was the result of the Environment Council and the City working together.

In 2012 the City of Flin Flon decided to charge tipping fees to cover the cost of the levy per tonne of garbage put in place by the Province of Manitoba.

This decision increased the number of employees hired by the Environment Council and the City contract.  The Environment Council also receives the payments for operating the oil, tire and hazardous waste programs and from the sale of salvage.
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The landfill contract has less financial importance to the Environment Council recycling operations today with better municipal support and recycling subsidies, but it is still an important part of the Council’s work.

Originally published Apr 1/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

True or False

1. The Recycling Centre is a non-profit organization.
2. Recyclables must be sorted before they are brought to the Recycling Centre.
3. The staff at the Flin Flon City Landfill are employed by the Recycling Centre.
4. The money from selling recyclables pays for the cost of recycling.
5. Curbside pickup of recyclables is not available in our communities.
6. Beverage cans and bottles can be returned for deposit in our community.

Answers
                1. True – The Recycling Centre is operated by the Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc., a non-profit organization incorporated in 1995.
                2. False – The only materials separated at the Recycling Centre are corrugated cardboard, office paper and aluminum cans which are sold. Glass is removed and used locally. The remaining materials are baled up all together and sent to Winnipeg for sorting.
                3. True – This contract, the sale of metal for salvage and the subsidies paid for operating the oil and hazardous waste depots and recycling tires helps pay the cost of recycling.
                4. False – Revenue from selling materials was only 5.5% of revenue in 2019. Sixty-seven percent of this came from returning beer containers for deposit.
                5. False – Curbside pickup is provided by Creighton and Denare Beach for their residents. The Recycling Centre provides the service in Flin Flon for a fee. More information is on the website www.flinflonrecycling.org.
                6. True and false – A deposit is charged on beer containers so they can be returned to vendors in Flin Flon to get the ten cent deposit back.  There is a one t0 three cent environment levy on other beverage containers but no deposit is paid so it cannot be returned. 

Originally published Mar 25/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Covid-19 virus pandemic is causing massive unprecedented upheaval around the globe. The cancellation of large gatherings, travel and the directive to stay at home is creating many unknowns in our usual way of doing things.

What does it mean for recycling?

There is definitely a down side. Several of our business customers have cancelled their regular pickups.

On the other hand, the new daily life routines are still creating waste, much of which is recyclable.

The Recycling Centre remains open and all curbside pickup programs will continue until further notice.

The is enough space and time for people to practice social distancing when dropping off recyclables at our dock and the trailer by Canadian Tire.  

The virus can live on cardboard for 24 hours and on plastic for 72 hours. However, the number of living viruses drops rapidly over that time with more than half dying in 3.5 hours on cardboard and just under 7 hours on plastic. They continue to die so very few remain at the end.

What does it mean for our staff?

It takes time to fill a bag of recyclables so any viruses on them are probably not infectious when they get to the Centre.

We are still taking precautions. Staff continue to wear gloves and safety glasses to process materials. Thorough handwashing at coffee breaks and lunch hour is more important than ever. Coughs and sneezes are contained and anyone feeling sick stays home.

Recyclers can help us by making sure no paper towels and tissues are included with recyclables. Any recyclables used by a sick person should be thrown out or set aside for at least three days.
​ 
Thanks for your help.

Originally published Mar 18/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

‘Volunteering is the ultimate exercise of democracy. You vote in elections once a year but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in’.

I love this quote by ‘Author Unknown’.

Recycling in our community would not be what it is today without volunteers who invested time and expertise to give citizens of are area an opportunity to be kinder to the earth.

It was all volunteers in the early days. Bob Fortier stopped at the collection site at the market garden one afternoon and offered to help. He did almost every day for the next 15 years. His expertise helped get the program started and adjust as it grew.

Many people helped with sorting and packing materials. I should have kept a list.
Most of the work today is done by paid staff but we still have some volunteers.

Rhonda has worked at the Recycling Centre the longest. She sorts school and office paper three afternoons a week. Betty and Rachel also sort papers two mornings a week.

Ray helps prepare recyclables for baling eight days a month. Recently, Jamie began helping with packaging batteries and fluorescent bulbs for shipping and cleaning eight days a month.

Three students and their EA from Creighton school count beer cans into bags Wednesday afternoons.  Other students have volunteered for school credit.

Opportunities to volunteer are fewer because we have good, hardworking employees who do the work.
​
Members of the Board of Directors are volunteers who provide direction and oversight as well as helping out when they can. The contributions of 37 people who have served as Board members have created a very successful operation. 

June total – 49,781 kg
       
        Aluminum – 693 kg
        Commingled* - 10,093 kg
        Office Paper – 4,789 kg
        Cardboard – 28,412 kg
        Glass – 5,001 kg
        Books –  793 kg
 
Total for 2020 – 251,668 kg
Total for 2019 – 253,648 kg
Difference – -1,980 kg


E – waste –  9.7 tonnes
 
* Co-mingled is unsorted materials sent to Winnipeg for sorting