Originally published Dec 23/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop

This is the last column in 2020. Time does fly by although waiting for life to return to normal seems to be taking a long time!

Recycling is an essential service so has continued while many other things are shut down. It is busy although there are fewer business pickups.
 
The weight of the print and packaging materials sent to Winnipeg for sorting is down nine metric tons (tonnes) compared to last year at the end of November. The pandemic cannot be blamed as this trend started in 2018. It is happening all over the province and seems to be caused by less paper.

The total tonnage recycled this year at the end of November is six tonnes more than last year. The majority is cardboard along with an increase in aluminum cans, and office paper.

Prices rose in March but have fallen since. There is still a sale price for cardboard which is good as there was a cost to recycle it last year.

The cost of sorting is expected to rise as prices for some materials in the mix continue to fall. When companies lose the revenue from selling materials, they cover their sorting costs by raising the price.

On a positive note, Christmas lights are now recyclable. It started with a question in our Facebook group: Flin Flon Recycling, and grew with information from another group member. The salvage company said they are currently more valuable than steal.

Christmas lights can be left at the Recycling Centre, in a bag at the Recycling Trailer by Canadian Tire or with the staff at the landfill.

Merry Christmas to all. 

Originally published Dec 9/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The 2020 holiday season will be different.

This is usually a very busy time at the Recycling Centre as holiday activities create lots of waste. It will be interesting to see how the pandemic changes things.

Here is the annual reminder of what kinds of Christmas waste can and can’t be recycled.

The usual things are recyclable: beverage containers, cardboard, boxboard, all plastic containers with the recycling symbol except #3 and #6 (PS), Christmas cards, tin cans, batteries, newspapers and fliers, catalogues, magazines and office paper.  

Food and drink containers should not be drippy, sticky or gooey.

Things that belong in the garbage are: gift wrap, ribbons, envelopes with foil or plastic liners, containers made of both cardboard and metal, all Styrofoam, plastic bags and wrap, plastic packaging with no number, disposable plates, utensils and coffee cups.

Check plastic cups as many are #1(PETE) or #5(PP) which can be recycled.

Christmas decorations including Christmas lights are not recyclable. (Update - We are collecting Christmas lights for recycling)

Check the website www.flinflonrecycling.org or call 204 687 6169 for more information.

Reduce waste by using/reusing gift bags and washing dishes instead of using disposable ones. 

Take any reusable items that were replaced with something new to a second-hand store, or sell them or give them away.

Old electronics such as computers and parts, sound systems, televisions, gaming systems, telephones and microwaves can be recycled. Check the list at www.recycleMYelectronics.ca.

A donation to a charity in honour of someone makes our community / world a better place without creating waste.
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This season as always, remember that everything we have comes from the earth. In this season of kindness and good cheer, remember to also be kind to Mother Earth. 

Originally published Dec 2/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

I needed to post this on Facebook last weekend.  

‘Just want to give a shout out to all recyclers.  I often comment about problems we are having and there are some bags that are problematic, but the fact is the majority of the bags and boxes we receive have very little garbage with very few drippy, sticky or gooey things.

Thank you to all of you who are doing a great job of recycling.’

Most messages we receive focus on what we need to change to do things right including many of my posts on the Flin Flon Recycling Facebook page.

The need for more positivity and recognition of what people are doing right inspired this comment.

We still get a lot of garbage but I believe it happens because people need information more than that they don’t care.

We see this when we tell people dropping things off that an item they brought is not recyclable. They are usually happy for the information.

It reminds me of the ‘not recyclable’ table in our Leisure Show display. Many dedicated recyclers would apologize for including things on the table. I told people that it was the information table not the guilt table.

Sometimes it seems we have said the same things many times, but if someone hasn’t heard it before it is information they need.

Some of the common ‘missing information’ non-recyclable items we find are Styrofoam, plastic wrap, liquid in bottles, food bags and boxes such as Tim’s donuts or KFC chicken.
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The smelly bags of garbage, or the leftovers of a meal with some recyclables in it stand out but the majority of recyclers are getting it right. 

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

Here are some random little details that make a difference at the Recycling Centre.  

1. Shredded paper

A large quantity of shredded paper has been arriving at the Recycling Centre. The majority is coming from HB and other large operators. Smaller bags arrive from homes and small business. The vast majority has nothing else mixed in which is great.
 
Shredded paper is sold so needs to be clean. It should not include file folders, shiny paper, newspaper type fliers, laminated items or other plastics like overhead transparency sheets or discs. Printer paper that has not been shredded can be included.
 
     2. Confidential Information
Sometimes papers with confidential information such as social insurance and bank account numbers are included with recyclables. These items should be shredded or the numbers blacked out or removed. It is highly unlikely they will be found by anyone after they are baled but it is always wise to protect this information.
 
Any cheques that have been deposited by taking a picture should be marked as deposited or be shredded before they are recycled.
 
     3. Online shopping
The number of cardboard boxes from online shopping has increased significantly in recent years. Fortunately, cardboard is very recyclable.  Most of the packaging is not.
 
All Styrofoam, plastic air bags, white foamy wrap and other miscellaneous pieces should be removed from the boxes.
 
     4. Plastic bags 
The Recycling Centre currently has no place to send plastic bags so they go to the garbage. Some stores are collecting them. The Food Bank can use them as well. 
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Thank you for your help. Recycling operations are much more efficient when recyclers pay attention to little details like these.

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

Note: This is a reprint of the very first Recycling Bin column from January 2014 in recognition of column 350.

A few things have changed. Creighton and Denare Beach provide curbside pickup. Red bags are picked up in Flin Flon every Wednesday. Recycling is collected in the trailer by Canadian Tire.

Aerosol cans are collected as hazardous waste.

Recycling has increased by 106 tonnes.

From 2014:  
Most people are amazed when they begin recycling.

It is so easy and there is so little garbage.

Get started by placing a recycling bin close by your garbage.  Drain plastic, glass or aluminium drink containers, rinse out tin cans, and place them in the recycle bin. All Newspapers, fliers, magazines, office paper, envelopes, cereal type boxes can also be recycled.

Find the number inside the recycling sign on plastic containers. Recycle everything except #6 and items without a number.

What is garbage? Food scraps, disposable things like coffee cups, paper towels, tissues, construction paper, gift wrap and ribbons, plastic bags, plastic wrap, box liners, Styrofoam, candy wrappers, aerosol cans.

There are two ways to get your items on the way to a new life. Place them on the loading dock or in the bins at the Recycling Centre at 9 Timber Lane (same building as Eecol). Or pay for a pick up at your house by purchasing a red bag. Put your recycling in that bag and two other boxes or bags and place it on the curb on the Wednesday recycling is picked up in your part of town.
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There is more at Flin Flon Recycling on Facebook or www.flinflonrecycling.org or call 204 – 687 6169.
And be amazed. 

​Originally published Nov 11/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The recent delivery of about 30 semi-loads of materials from Walmart took up a lot of space in the Flin Flon Landfill. Fortunately, the shredder reduced the volume by three quarters.  It brings attention to the fact that current landfill space is limited.

Creating new landfill space is very expensive and takes a lot of time.

Time is needed to find a suitable space and engineered plan. Environmental approvals take at least five years.

There needs to be a large enough space that is deep enough to hold everything.

Modern landfills require liners to prevent leachate, the toxic liquid created by landfills, from harming the environment.

Buffer zones are required between landfills and natural water bodies which is particularly challenging in our area.

I attended a public meeting about proposed landfill for Flin Flon in 1994. The price tag then was $4 million. I’m sure that has increased many times in 25 years.

Recycling is a way to significantly reduce the amount of garbage going into landfills. Creighton has seen measurable reductions since curbside pickup began in 2014.

Education and promotion have increased recycling rates in our communities. But a recent conversation with a garbage truck worker indicates there are still large amounts of recyclables going to landfills.

Many communities have reduced pressures on their landfills with a ‘tags for bags’ program. The number of garbage bags a household can put out is limited, usually to two a week. A tag must be purchased for any more bags to be picked up. There is no charge for recycling pickup.

Charging more for emptying dumpsters is one way of increasing recycling from businesses.
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These ideas are something our local leaders need to consider.

Originally published Nov 4/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The recent fire at Walmart has resulted in the store’s contents going to the landfill.

The exception is hazardous materials which will be shipped out for environmentally safe disposal.

My personal response to this situation is very mixed.

On the one hand it seems like an environmental tragedy for all of those things made from the Earth’s resources to be buried unused. It is unlikely that absolutely everything is damaged beyond using.  

On the other hand, there are decisions made by people responsible for all aspects of Walmart’s operations that need to be respected.

Most of us do not understand all the complexities of the situation.  Here are a few things that come to mind.

Smoke damages things in ways most of us do not understand. A lot of time would be required for knowledgeable people to make the right decision about what is and is not safe to be used, and then make the reusable items ready for a fire sale or to give away.

There are things like insurance requirements and possible liabilities to the company to consider.

The store needs to be cleaned up, restocked and reopen as soon as possible from the perspective of both the company and shoppers.

So, it is what it is.

Unfortunately, people were helping themselves to items at the landfill. Scavenging is against the law and is dangerous.

This all brings to mind something I have thought about after being in this business for a while.

Everything available for sale in stores with the exception of things we eat or drink will one day be in a landfill.

Reduce what we use, repair, reuse and recycle as much as possible. 

Originally published Oct 7/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

We have organized and shipped a lot of paint and hazardous waste lately.

Household paint and empty paint cans are collected at both the Recycling Centre and the landfill. This includes stains, aerosols and varnishes. A complete list of accepted products is on our website: flinflonrecycling.org.

All other hazardous waste is collected at the landfill only.

Everything must be in the original container with the original label that is readable.

The only exception is when paint covers the label as it is easily identified as paint.
Containers also must be sealed and not leaking.

There is good reason for this. Hazardous waste is dangerous. It is flammable, poisonous or toxic, corrosive and explosive. Some materials create more danger if they are mixed.

The safety of our staff who sort and store the items and the people who are handling it for disposal needs to be guaranteed. We need to store it in the correct container. They need to know what they are handling so they can protect themselves against whatever the danger is.

What can the public do to make this happen?

The most obvious is keep things in the original containers in a place where the container will not be damaged and the labels won’t get wet or otherwise destroyed.

This includes paint. Paint that is not in its original container can be dumped into other left-over paint that is in an original container. Latex and acrylic or oil-based paint should not be mixed.

If there is a known substance in a non-original container use it up.
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Take care with these products from the beginning so they can be disposed of safely at the end. 

Originally published Sept 30/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The trailer by Canadian Tire is emptied at least twice a week. It is busiest on the weekend so it is usually brought to the Recycling Centre and emptied on Friday and Monday. If it is full during the week a truck load or two will be removed.
 
Recyclables are supposed to be in closed boxes or bags when they are placed in the trailer. The exception is cardboard which has its own space at the end of the trailer. It needs to be flattened.

Often there is a large amount of loose materials in the trailer after all the boxes and bags are removed. Some of that has occurred because someone has entered the trailer and opened bags in what appears to be a search for beer cans to return for money.

This does not explain the majority of the mess. I posted a picture of a six-inch layer of loose materials in the trailer last Friday on our Facebook page.

Loose materials take significantly longer to unload and create a mess.

Denare Beach brings their recyclables in the same kind of trailer. It is all in bags or boxes. It takes a maximum of 20 minutes to unload with no mess.

Our trailer takes at least a half an hour to empty and another 10 – 15 minutes to clean up the loose that falls out on the ground. Windy days are worse.

It is understandable that people don’t want to use plastic bags or that they collect their recyclables in a reusable container. There are blue bins at the Recycling Centre to accept loose materials.
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The use of curbside pickup in Flin Flon would also help reduce this problem.  

October total – 45,178 kg
       
        Aluminum – 490 kg
        Commingled* - 9,714 kg
        Office Paper – 2,789 kg
        Cardboard – 25,697 kg
        Glass – 4,957 kg
        Books – 1,623 kg
        Other plastics –  208 kg

Total for 2020 – 439,885 kg
Total for 2019 – 439,270 kg
Difference – +615 kg


E – waste – 9,110 kg
 
Batteries – 161 kg

* Co-mingled is unsorted materials sent to Winnipeg for sorting

Comments –  We are finally ahead of last year in amount recycled. It is mostly cardboard as the amount of commingled materials from homes has dropped by 9.5 tonnes from last year. This may be less paper in the mix, but it indicates more needs to be done to encourage recycling. 

Originally published Sept 23/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

​Headlines about recycling are something I read regularly. This one from National Public Radio investigations last week really got my attention.

‘How Big Oil Misled The Public Into Believing Plastic Would Be Recycled’

The author’s investigation revealed plastics manufacturing companies wanted to counter the negative press about plastic waste in the 1980’s and 90’s to protect their profits. It claims that placing the recycling symbols on plastics and major advertising campaigns were done to make people think that plastic is recycled when very little of it is.

The main reason given is that recycling plastic is too expensive. It takes a lot of work to sort and clean and produces a low-grade product. Plastic made from oil is much cheaper.

The article also mentioned that recycling mills are hard to find.

It was an interesting coincidence that last week I received information from a plastic recycling company that has been in business since 2007. They have mills in Listowel, Ontario and Hazelton, Pennsylvania. They are checking the market as they consider building one on the west coast.

Plastic recycling does happen. The vinyl plank flooring in my office is 50% recycled plastic. It is used in fleece clothing, carpet, car parts and other items.

Sale prices are lower since China closed their market so programs based totally on sales are probably landfilling plastics.

The Extended Producer Responsibility laws for the packaging industry in Manitoba requires them to help pay for their products when they are no longer useful. They pay subsidies to help cover the cost of recycling.
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I am confident that our plastics are recycled. If some become unrecyclable in the future we will not take them. 

Originally published Sept 16/20 The Reminder Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Paint and fluorescent tubes have been part of our lives for a very long time. Compact fluorescent bulbs with a curly tube shape and a heavy base became popular as they use less electricity.

Both create hazardous waste when people are done with them.

Paint has a variety of chemicals that are hazardous to the environment.

Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs are not harmful unless they break. They contain mercury vapour and particles.  When bulbs are broken the mercury is released into the air and onto the floor or ground. Even small amounts of mercury are very hazardous.

 Information about safely cleaning up broken fluorescent bulbs is available on Health Canada’s website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/cfl-afc-eng.php.

If these items are sent to the landfill they will break or spill as landfill materials are crushed and covered, releasing the hazardous chemicals into the environment.

Industries that make paint, fluorescent bulbs and other hazardous products are required by the Province of Manitoba to provide programs and funding so households can get rid of them safely.

Product Care is the organization that provides money and information for the Household Hazardous Waste program.

The Recycling Centre has been collecting paint and fluorescent bulbs since 2016. They can be dropped off at the Centre. 

Fluorescent bulbs should be brought to the Centre when it is open to reduce the chance of bulbs breaking. Broken bulbs in sealed plastic bags will be accepted.

Please note that only CFL and fluorescent bulbs are recyclable. All other light bulbs go into the garbage.

Sixty-two boxes of bulbs were shipped in 2019. This year we have shipped 73.
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More information is available at 204 687 6169 and www.flinflonrecycling.org. 

Originally published Sept 9/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Recycling Centre is the place that usually comes to mind when thinking about recycling in our community. However, landfills are also recycling places.

Metal recycling is a decades old practice. Scrap metal companies collect and reprocess it into new metal.  It is sold to manufacturers at current market value based on world metal prices.

There are metal piles at the Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach landfills. Placing metal items in the metal pile instead of household garbage means it will be recycled instead of being buried for centuries.

Car batteries are another item recycled from landfills. They contain valuable materials which are sold for more than the cost of recycling. The Flin Flon Lions Club collects the batteries from the Flin Flon landfill as a fundraiser.

Landfills collect used motor oil, filters, automotive antifreeze and containers from households for recycling.

The motor oil is used as fuel in environmentally safe burners at Tolko in The Pas. Antifreeze and containers are recycled.

All used tires, household hazardous waste and appliances with refrigerant are recycled from the Flin Flon Landfill only.  There is a $25.00 charge to remove refrigerants.  

Tires are shipped to Reliable Tire in Winnipeg. They make a variety of products including sidewalk blocks, hockey rink mats, blasting mats and a very durable paving material.

There are no tipping fees for recycled items unless you are a non-resident at the Saskatchewan landfills.

Many items in landfills are very usable. Instead of throwing them away, have a garage sale, take them to second hand stores or a local charity that can use them, or give them away.

Everything we have comes from the earth.
Reduce, reuse and recycle. 

Originally published Sept 2/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

I wasn’t surprised that Tuesday to hear the garbage truck emptying the dumpsters at the Recycling Centre. It was unusual to hear the tipping sound repeated several more times that usual.  

A short time later, a City foreman paid me a visit. The garbage truck could not empty one dumpster because it had bricks in it.

We thought we took care of it by removing a large vegetable box full of bricks the next morning. The next day the garbage truck emptied the dumpster with great difficulty. We had missed bricks hiding in the bottom.

The load was very hard on the garbage truck’s hydraulics. It left hydraulic fluid stains on the ground.

This is not the first time there were building materials from our dumpsters. We usually find and remove them before the truck comes. It is often a variety of wood or other construction items. This was the worst.

There are several possible reasons why this happens.

The first that comes to mind is that people are too lazy to take these items to the landfill and/or they do not want to pay the $10.00 tipping fee.

Dumpsters are often featured on home renovation shows, so people may assume all dumpsters take construction materials. Construction dumpsters and their service trucks are heavy duty. I am not aware of any company in town that provides them.
 
We lock the dumpsters now to prevent this from happening again. They are not filling up as fast as they have in the past, confirming our suspicions that many were dropping off their garbage and recycling at the same time.
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Businesses pay for using their dumpsters so they should not be used by the public.

Originally published Sept 9/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Recycling Centre is the place that usually comes to mind when thinking about recycling in our community. However, landfills are also recycling places.

Metal recycling is a decades old practice. Scrap metal companies collect and reprocess it into new metal.  It is sold to manufacturers at current market value based on world metal prices.

There are metal piles at the Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach landfills. Placing metal items in the metal pile instead of household garbage means it will be recycled instead of being buried for centuries.

Car batteries are another item recycled from landfills. They contain valuable materials which are sold for more than the cost of recycling. The Flin Flon Lions Club collects the batteries from the Flin Flon landfill as a fundraiser.

Landfills collect used motor oil, filters, automotive antifreeze and containers from households for recycling.

The motor oil is used as fuel in environmentally safe burners at Tolko in The Pas. Antifreeze and containers are recycled.

All used tires, household hazardous waste and appliances with refrigerant are recycled from the Flin Flon Landfill only.  There is a $25.00 charge to remove refrigerants.  

Tires are shipped to Reliable Tire in Winnipeg. They make a variety of products including sidewalk blocks, hockey rink mats, blasting mats and a very durable paving material.

There are no tipping fees for recycled items unless you are a non-resident at the Saskatchewan landfills.

Many items in landfills are very usable. Instead of throwing them away, have a garage sale, take them to second hand stores or a local charity that can use them, or give them away.

Everything we have comes from the earth.
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Reduce, reuse and recycle. 

​Originally published Aug 26/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

​A magazine article in 2017 first introduce me to the concept of a circular economy. It was mentioned several times in a meeting last week with the Minister of Conservation and Climate.

The concept is gaining momentum.

The circular economy is a major change in the assumptions about economic growth.

Traditional thinking believes economic growth happens when more people use more stuff and energy – a straight line.

A video called ‘The Story of Stuff’ describes how our thinking about stuff is often a line – take resources from the earth, make something, sell that something, use it and throw it away. The video describes how that story is really much more complex.
Google it. The twenty minutes is worth it.

The magazine article described the new circular economy that finds ways to loop used stuff back into usefulness by repair or making something new.

Repairs are encouraged by making manuals easy to find. Companies sell a process that their machines do rather than selling the machine.  The company replaces used machines, refurbishes them and sends out to do the work again.

Recycling is a great example of looping. Instead of sending stuff to landfills mills recycle it into new stuff. Plastic becomes car parts and carpets. Aluminum cans become new aluminum cans or the body of an airplane. Cardboard becomes new cardboard.

Some other examples are using old cement for aggregate in new cement and recycling old drywall into new drywall.

Self-serve car rental is making it easier to get around without buying a car.
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Thinking in circles is important as everything we have comes from the earth. We can’t just keep throwing it away.  
 

Originally published Aug 19/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

​Many people know of the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

These actions reduce how much is thrown away, the use of natural resources, landfill space and energy used.  They are listed in the order of importance for the environment.

Recycling has become a regular practice for many. Services are available in most communities. It definitely benefits the environment but is last on the list.

Reusing is fairly common. Second hand stores, garage sales and give-aways are evidence of this.

What about reducing? The most important ‘R’ doesn’t get a lot of attention.

Everything we have comes from the Earth so if we use less there is less damage to our life support systems.

Reducing is good for the Earth but it isn’t very good for the economy. It needs people to consume products and services and does better when more is used.

Recent events in the world have caused people to reduce how much they use. Many have less to buy things with. The economy is suffering.

There has been evidence that this reduced activity has benefited the planet. There has been less air pollution, fewer greenhouse gases and reports of wildlife returning to habitat they had left because people were using them. It did not fix the problems but gave the environment a break.

Now is a good time to think about being kinder to the Earth as people find the new normal.

Important questions are: Do I really need this? How can I use less? Could I rent instead of buy? Can I repair what I have? Should I pay a little more for one that will last longer?
​
Let’s not miss this opportunity for change.

Originally published Aug 12/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The answer to this question is yes, absolutely! I wish it was illegal to throw aluminum cans away.
 
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough electricity to run a laptop for five hours.
 
Aluminum can be recycled many times. Aluminum in use today may have been manufactured in the early 20th century.  
 
Aluminum is made from bauxite. It requires huge amounts of electricity. The chemicals used in the process are toxic and can damage the environment.
 
Aluminum cans take 500 years to break down in nature.
 
I was informed in a recent conversation with personnel from Recycle Everywhere that the rate of aluminum can recycling is lagging behind other beverage containers.  They are at 58% return rate as compared to plastic bottles at 77%.
 
Do plastic bottles have a higher return rate because the problem of plastic in the environment is in the news frequently?
 
Is it possible that that people don’t know aluminum cans are recyclable?
 
Our 2016 survey results are puzzling. Aluminum cans seemed to be ignored on the list of items people could mark as recyclable, not recyclable or not sure. No one marked yes. One person marked no and 12 weren’t sure. 429 people completed the survey.
 
Are aluminum cans being taken to Saskatchewan to collect money? This is a problem for us as we do not get the rate of return or the money from selling the aluminum.
 
It is an expensive problem for the Saskatchewan program as the deposit is not paid on beverage containers sold in our community so they lose money.
 
Recycling aluminum cans locally is easy, environmentally friendly and supports local recycling. If you see one get it into a recycling bin.

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

The recycling program is in its 28th year. It has grown from volunteers collecting of paper outdoors in November 1992 to an operation with 11 employees that recycles ten different kinds of waste.

This week we continue to honour some of the people who contributed the program's success.

Fran Gira and Dennis Whitbread volunteered in the early days at the Market Garden and continued as the program moved indoors. Fran was a member of the first Board of Directors in 1995 and served until 2007.

Fran's thoughtful participation as a board member was very valuable. She was the treasurer and kept the financial records before there was a computer program so it was a major time commitment.  

I was the first paid Administrator in 1996. Carie McIntosh took over in May 1997 and held the position for four years. She guided the day to day operations with wisdom and creativity as the number of employees and volunteers grew.

Doreen Murray was hired as the Administrator in 2001 and served until she retired in 2013. There were many changes during that time.

In 2004 the Centre moved into a new building. Later, renovations were needed to accommodate electronic waste recycling and to create more space.

Managing the landfill was added to her responsibilities in 2004.

Curbside and business pickups were added to the program, then dropped when material prices fell,  then started again.

Finances were challenging. Doreen kept things balanced and worked with the Board to develop a successful financial plan.

Doreen managed 5 - 11 employees and supported them in ways they greatly appreciated.
​
Many more have contributed to recycling's success. It is an example of what working together can accomplish.  

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

It has been an amazing journey being part of community recycling from the beginning.

It started with a 4-day paper collection in November, 1992 at the Market Garden. 
The Environment Committee purchased a used semi-trailer in April 1993 that was parked at the same location. Paper was stored there until December 1994 when recycling moved indoors at 7 Timber Lane and other materials were added to the program.

The Environment Council bought the building at 6 Timber Lane in 2006. A baler and other equipment were purchased with a grant from the City of Flin Flon.  

In 2004 the program moved across the street to its current location. More space and a loading dock significantly improved the programs operations.

There have been several heroes in this journey.  

Bob Fortier offered to help one day in 1993 at the Market Garden. He volunteered almost every day for the next 15 years. His expertise with machinery, storing and shipping materials was invaluable. His gardens brought beauty to Timber Lane.

Graham Craig was the mayor when the City of Flin Flon decided to support recycling. The purchase of a baler and vehicle in 1996 with money from the City meant community recycling would continue to grow. Graham and his wife Grace also volunteered many hours sorting the recyclables for shipment.

Greg East worked to make recycling happen from the beginning. His knowledge of real estate led to the purchase of both buildings. His fundraising skills raised money to purchase the trailer at the Market Garden and to retire the mortgage at 9 Timber Lane in eight years.  He and his wife Jan hosted many excellent musical fundraisers.

There are more hero stories for next week.  

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’. 
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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.
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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.