Originally published Dec 30/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The holidays and the new year are a time when we think about what has been and what could be.

Good things have happened this year.

The amount of materials recycled is up about ten percent. This is double the year to year increase from 2014.

A survey this summer indicated that half of the households in Creighton are taking advantage of weekly recycling pickup.

Recycling is a habit for many people. More businesses are have their recycling picked up or drop it off at the Recycling Centre. The green trailer by Canadian Tire is emptied at least twice a week.  

The Recycling Centre is receiving many calls about what can be recycled and what is the best way to dispose of items.

Here is my wish list for in the new year:

• Every household in our community would recycle.
• More people would take advantage of the curbside pickup in Creighton and Flin Flon.
• All aluminium cans would be recycled.
• All garbage containers in public spaces would be paired with recycling bins.
• All beverage containers from our community would be recycled at our Recycling Centre.
• Only recyclable items would be dropped off at the Recycling Centre.
• All batteries and eligible electronics would be recycled.

Things planned for 2016 include:

• A full time Hazardous waste depot at the Flin Flon landfill.
• Dual garbage/recycling bins for Flin Flon Main St.
• On site recycling for Green St and Adams St apartments.

More statistics about 2015 will be available in the new year. Check our website: flinflonrecycling.org. (See the post below)

The Board of Directors and Staff of the Flin Flon Recycling Centre wish everyone a Happy New Year. 

Originally published Dec 23/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Last week’s column was the 100th edition of the Recycling Bin.

The idea for a weekly information column about recycling came from Karen McKinnon who was working at The Reminder at the time. The North of 53 Consumers Coop agreed to sponsor the column. ‘The Recycling Bin’ was chosen as the name.

The first column on February 5, 2014 was titled ‘Recycle and Be Amazed’. Its inspiration came from many people telling me they were amazed how little garbage they had when they started recycling.  

We have covered a variety of topics including what can be recycled, where it goes, and why we don’t get money back for recycling like in Saskatchewan. Information about who runs the Recycling Centre and where the money comes from has also been featured.

Several individuals have been recognized for the key roles they have played in the success of recycling.

All the columns are published a week later in the news section of our website www.flinflonrecycling.org along with other information about the recycling program in our community.

Writing a regular column is fun and challenging. Deciding what to write about can be tough. Often conversations, news items or observations in the community provide the inspiration.

Many times the challenge is addressing the topic in just 285 words.

Our goal for this column is to increase the public’s understanding of recycling and answer questions so people are inspired to begin or continue recycling and conserve resources and landfill space.  

Anyone with an idea for future columns can call me at 204 687 6169 or email recycled@mymts.net.

The Recycling Centre would like to thank the North of 53 Consumers Coop for sponsoring this opportunity to spread the word. 

Originally published Dec 16/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

A headline today caught my attention. ”Climate Deal Hinges on Buy In from Ordinary People” (cbc.ca Dec 14/15).

Climate change has been in the headlines many times recently because of the COP21 meetings in Paris.

What was COP21? The United Nations Climate Change conferences have been held every year since 1995. This was the 21st Conference of Parties or COP21 for short.

The COP21 was a political negotiation to do something about the big changes science is showing are happening as the earth warms over decades when historically it should be cooling over centuries.

This unusual warming trend is caused by higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases in the atmosphere trapping heat and changing climate patterns. Melting glaciers and Arctic ice cap, and unusual weather events are increasingly evident.

COP21 ended with a commitment from most of the countries of the world to make big changes.

Canada generates less than two per cent of the world’s greenhouse gases but has one of the highest rates of carbon generated per person in the world. Part of this is because our size and weather.

The Canadian government said it wants to reduce carbon emissions to 30 per cent below our 2005 levels.  That would be the same as taking 47.8 million cars off the road.

Reducing carbon emission happens in a variety of ways and will need ordinary people as much as business and industry buying in to make it happen.

The Environment Council’s slogan “Think Globally, Act Locally” definitely applies.
Recycling reduces greenhouse gases.

Transportation choices also make a difference. Drive less. Drive fuel efficient vehicles. Take the bus. Carpool. Ride bike or walk.

Become informed. Be ready to change. 

Originally published Dec. 9/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Author's note: This is the same column published last year with a few small changes as nothing has changed. 

The holiday season is a busy time at the Recycling Centre. Festivities and gift giving usually result in lots of waste. Many items are recyclable. Many are not.

The usual things can be recycled: beverage containers, cardboard, boxboard, all plastics containers that have a number in the recycling symbol except #6 (PS), Christmas cards, tin cans, batteries, newspapers and fliers, catalogues, magazines and office paper.
 
Eligible electronics can be recycled. Check the list at www.recycleMYelectronics.ca.

All food and drink containers should rinsed/drained so they are not drippy, sticky or gooey.

Things that belong in the garbage are: gift wrap, ribbons, envelopes with foil or plastic liners, containers made of cardboard and metal, Styrofoam (including packing peanuts), plastic bags and wrap, plastic packaging with no number,  disposable plates, cups including coffee cups.
 We cannot recycle Christmas decorations including Christmas lights.

Call the Recycling Centre with any questions at 204 687 6169.

Reduce waste by using and reusing gift bags and enjoying each other’s company while washing dishes instead of using disposable ones. 

Gifts often replace something that is still usable. Take the time to find a new home for these items. There are many ways to do this. Take it to a second hand store or advertise it on Trader’s Post, Kijiji, or similar service.  Or give it away.

Consider giving something that makes the world a better place and creates very little waste. Many charities have special projects you can contribute to in honour of someone on your list.

This season as always, remember that everything we have comes from the earth. As you treat each other to Christmas cheer and kindness, remember to also be kind to Mother Earth. 

Originally published  Dec 2/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

‘Volunteering is the ultimate exercise of democracy….when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in’.

These words by an unknown author appeared on my facebook page. They reminded me of the many volunteers ‘voting’ for recycling our community.

Thirty-two people have volunteered as Board members of the Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc, the non-profit organization responsible for the Recycling Centre.

Angie Simpson began serving in 1999. She brings wealth of experience in public service and strong support for recycling. 

La Verne Hinzman was appointed the Town of Creighton representative in 2005 and stayed on when someone else became the town rep. He is the Chairperson of the Board. He built carts that have greatly increased the efficiency of operations.

Fran Gira, an original Board member, served 12 years. She was the bookkeeper before it was computerized.  

Jewell Robertson served eleven years. She typed up and circulated meeting minutes.

Nadine Morrison served eight years. She found the new forklift and supervised during an extended leave of the Administrator. 

Les Ginnell served six year and contributed resources used to develop personnel policies.
 
Glenna Daschuk served six years.  We still use the budget spreadsheet she designed. The red bag curbside program was her and Moira Davis’s idea.

Others Board members include Annette Banach, Bill Fulford, Bob Lyons, Barb Lyons, Janet Modler, Greg East, Moira Davis, Deanna Petrash, Henry Wolf, Darcy Chrisp, Robin Rideout, Wendy Weseen, Christine Schneider, and Peter Bush.

Municipal representatives include George Fontaine, Dennis Ballard, Connie Roberts, Kevin Elliot, Bill Hanson, and Skip Martin. Darren Grant and Karen MacKinnon are the current reps.
​
New Board members are always welcome. 

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

The Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc. is a non-profit corporation. Its mission is to promote environmental responsibility through education, projects and advocacy.

The Board of Directors makes decisions about what the organization does.

Recycling was the first project and has become the main activity of the organization.
​
Some of the environmental benefits from recycling in our community between January 1 and September 30, 2015 are:
                 1,226.4 cubic yards kept from landfill
                 1,859,480 kWh of saved energy
                 Carbon dioxide emissions reduce by 931.5 tonnes
                 3,689 mature trees saved

The environmental benefits of recycling motivated the Board to save the recycling program in the tough times between 2007 and 2010. 

The organization was in survival mode when Barb Lyons joined in 2009. She put much effort into understanding how everything from funding to job descriptions worked. 

Her husband Bob joined the Board in 2010 bringing experience managing finances for non-profits and expertise in equipment maintenance and training.

Together with other Board members, they considered several options to move forward.

In 2012, an advisor from MMSM, the organization that provides recycling subsidy met with the Administrator and Barb. He described the financial benefits of paying someone with equipment to sort recyclables and discussed pickup fees that cover actual costs. 
 
Barb understood the benefits right away. She and Bob advocated for these changes at the Board level even as others were concerned about reducing the number of employees.

The Board of Directors decided to stop sorting in October 2013. Service fees were increased the following year.

The recycling program has benefited greatly from Barb’s vision. Her work contributed to the Board’s decisions that have resulted in stability for the recycling program.   

Originally published  Nov 18/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The community recycling program had no bank account in the beginning. Volunteers did the work. Sponsors were found to pay for shipping to Winnipeg when a truckload of paper had been collected.

A used semi-trailer was purchased by selling advertising on it. It was parked at the Market Garden. Another organization hosted the summer student grant.  

This changed when recycling moved into a rented building in 1994. The program became eligible for the recycling subsidy by adding #1 plastic, tin, aluminium and glass to the items collected.

Prices for selling recyclables were very high at first which helped pay the bills. They fell dramatically after a year.

The City of Flin Flon provided a one-time grant of $65,000.00 in 1996 which allowed recycling to continue and grow. It was used to purchase a baler, a truck and trailer.

Some funding was provided each year by Flin Flon and Creighton. The amount did not increase significantly for over ten years.

In 2004, the Recycling Centre began managing the Flin Flon landfill and purchased a building with a tenant to subsidize the recycling program.

Prices for recyclables fell dramatically in 2008 forcing the end of the recycling pickup services and the suspension of cardboard recycling. The municipal governments provided emergency funding so recycling could survive.

In 2009, the Board held a public meeting to see if the community wanted a recycling program. There was strong support from a large crowd, so a new business plan was developed.

Pickup services returned with a fee to cover their cost. A per capita funding arrangement began with Flin Flon and Creighton. Denare Beach declined to participate.

Next week: one decision that made a big difference.
 

Originally published Nov 13/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.
​
The community recycling program is run by the Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc., a non-profit corporation formed in 1995.

A non-profit corporation is not owned by anyone. No one makes a profit. A volunteer Board of Directors is elected to manage the organization.  

Two of the Board members, Greg East and Jan Modler, have served since the beginning. They have been active on environmental issues most of their lives.

Jan recalls getting a grant as a university student to work with local children’s camps raising awareness of the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling.

Greg was a member of Concerned Residents against Pollution (CRAP) that focused on air quality issues in the community in the mid ‘80’s. The name was later changed to Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (CCAP).

Greg was invited to be part of the Flin Flon Round Table on the Environment and the Economy in the late 80’s which involved people from many parts of the community.  As that group dwindled, it became the Flin Flon Environment Committee which Jan joined in 1992.

Greg and Jan’s dedication to recycling has been a big part of its survival through tough times. They have contributed to the day to day operations when needed as well as providing valuable information and perspectives in the decisions at Board meetings.

Greg found the buildings that have housed the recycling program.  His ‘Retire the Mortgage’ fundraiser was successful by the end of 2012.

They are best known for hosting musical fundraising events. Greg finds great talent and sells tickets. Jan organizes and decorates. They both make sure everyone has a good time.

​Jan and Greg’s contributions are another reason community recycling happens here. 

Originally published Nov 4/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Recycling Centre has employed many people since the first person was hired in 1996. Most of the work was done by volunteers at that time. 

The number of paid staff grew within a year and has fluctuated over time. The highest number was nine.  Today the work is done by 4 full time employees and one part time, two part time volunteers and an administrator.

Two long term employees came to the Centre as part of a provincial job placement program that subsidized wages for six months.

Wayne Freund began in January, 2003. He was hired to help with the curbside program which began in February.  After getting his licence he drove the truck. He also sorted materials and later, was trained to operate the baler and forklift.

Wayne found other employment twice, but helped out at the Recycling Centre when he could. He returned to recycling full time in 2011 and became the floor supervisor in 2013.

​Wayne’s abilities to organize and work with people in a very positive way are a big part of the success of the recycling program today.

Randy Whitmore began at the Centre with wage subsidy in December 2006. He assisted with recycling pickups from homes and businesses and sorted materials at the Centre. He walked to work every day for two years when he lived in Creighton.

Randy works hard every day even though his job hasn’t changed very much. He has worked well with many people. He knows about recycling in the community.  He is an important member of the team moving recyclables in and out of the Centre.  

The wage subsidy program has resulted in success for these employees and for recycling. 

Pictures of these valuable employees will be added soon.

Originally published Oct 28/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

​Last week I gave a presentation about our recycling program at a provincial recycling conference.
The process reminded me of how many people have contributed to making recycling a success.
I will introduce a few in the next couple of weeks.

​My biggest hero is Bob Fortier.
Bob asked if he could help one day at the Market Garden in 1993. Of course I said yes.  He volunteered almost every day for the next 15 years.
Bob kept things clean at the Market Garden until we moved indoors in 1994. His expertise from working in the warehouse was great as we got organized. He knew how to drive a forklift, load a semi and solve every day problems. He created things that made the space and the work better.
He was very concerned about the environment.  He was a great gardener, creating an oasis of beauty in an industrial area.
We miss Bob. A complete tribute is in documents on Flin Flon Recycling Facebook page. 

​My second biggest hero is Doreen Murray.
Doreen was hired as the administrator in 2001. She managed things through thick and thin until she retired in 2013.
There were many changes during that time. Curbside and business pickups were begun, dropped, then started again. The Centre moved to a new building. Managing landfill staffing was added to her responsibilities.
Prices for materials fell. Finances were challenging as the Centre needed extra cash to continue running two years in a row. She balanced things while a new financial plan was worked out.
She managed between 5 – 11 employees. She supported them in many ways which they appreciated.
Doreen’s dedication ensured that community recycling survived and grew.
Thank you.   

Originally published Oct 21/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Flin Flon Recycling Centre is one of three MRF’s in Northern Manitoba.

Thompson was the first community with a recycling program. They provided valuable information to local organizers in the early days of the Flin Flon program. Flin Flon shared shipping with Thompson as recyclables were sent to Edmonton at that time.

Several years ago the City of Thompson purchased a garbage truck that also picks up recycling. Each house has one bin for garbage and another for recycling. The truck picks up the recycling bin and empties it in the truck mechanically. The recyclables are dumped at the Centre and moved by on a conveyor for processing and baling.

Thompson Recycling Centre also processes recyclables from communities outside of Thompson.  They recycled one million kilograms or 1,000 tonnes last year.

The Pas Recycling Centre began in the late ‘90’s. It received funding to build north of the community on Highway 10. In the beginning it provided curbside and business pickup services.

The recycling program was on hold for over a year.  Pickup services were not part of the program when it reopened.

Recyclables are collected in trailers parked at several locations throughout the community. Sponsors paid for the trailers which are manufactured in The Pas.

The town of The Pas began a ‘tags for bags’ program in 2013. If residents have more than two bags of garbage they must buy a tag for the extra bags.

The Pas Recycling Centre also has trailers in Wanless, Clearwater Lake, Snow Lake and Cranberry Portage.

The Pas recycled 731 tonnes in 2014.

​The Flin Flon Recycling Centre is located at 9 Timber Lane. It recycled 413 tonnes in 2014. 

Originally published Oct 14/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Research shows the best way encourage recycling is to make it easy.  Picking it up from homes increases rates significantly.

In May, 2003, the Recycling Centre began curbside pickup. People using the service were asked to pay $30.00/year. Payment was on the honour system. If recycling was on the curb it was picked up.

In 2006, seventy five households paid the fee. Many more were using the service.
Financial realities ended curbside recycling in June, 2007. Prices for recyclable materials fell and municipal support had not increased.   The curbside program cost much more than the fees brought in.

Tonnage dropped from 500 tonnes in 2007 to 398 tonnes in 2008 and even lower the next year.

In 2009 a public meeting on the future of recycling showed the community wanted recycling to continue. The Recycling Centre developed a new financial plan so it could survive.

Curbside pickups were reintroduced in 2010 to increase recycling rates.

The Centre needed a fee to cover the cost. The easiest way to know who had paid was to sell red bags. If there was a red bag on the curb with recyclables staff knew the fee had been paid. Two more bags/boxes and cardboard would also be picked up.

Pickups were every other week.

Usage was falling. Many commented it was hard to remember which week was recycling week.

The schedule changed to weekly pickups in March to make it easier. Beginning this month the recycling truck only goes to streets where people are using the program.

Newcomers are welcome. Here is the list of streets.  New streets can be added by calling the Recycling Centre at 204 687 6169.

Originally published Oct 7/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.
​
The Flin Flon Recycling Centre is actually a MRF which means a Materials Recovery Facility. Materials are not recycled here. They are collected (recovered), baled up and sent other places for recycling.

The facility in Winnipeg is a larger MRF. It receives materials, sorts them as needed, bales and ships recyclables to factories that make them in to new materials.

This facility has a mechanized sort line. A front end loader places materials into a large hopper. A conveyor takes them up to a working platform about ten feet above the floor.  Each employee removes a specific kind of paper or plastic, throwing it into a chute to a bin below.

Metals are removed mechanically. A large magnet above the conveyor attracts the tin (steel) cans onto a moving belt which drops them into a bin. Two large magnets placed with the same poles together create a resistance force which ‘blows’ the aluminium cans into another bin.

These machines have a big price tag and require a lot of space. It is more economical for Flin Flon to pay the MRF in Winnipeg to sort.

Flin Flon’s MRF has a down stroke baler. An employee loads materials in by hand and presses a button to compress them when the machine fills up.  

Thompson has a sort line. Valuable materials like milk jugs, mixed plastics, aluminium and tin are separated. Paper products except cardboard are shipped comingled.  A large baler is fed by a conveyor that forms bales automatically.

The Pas has two down stroke balers. The one used for cardboard only is loaded by hand.  The other is conveyor fed.

Information about materials recovered in Flin Flon is available at www.flinflonrecycling.org. 

Originally published Sept 30/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.
​
I attended a few events this weekend where beverages were served and I made some observations.

At Friday evening’s event recycling bins were available in one area and not in another. The recycling bins were well used and needed the bags changed at least once. Where there were no recycling bins, there were quite a few aluminum cans and plastic bottles in the garbage.

It was great to see so many recycling. I was encouraged that most people are recycling when given the choice.

The next evening I attended another event where beverages were being consumed. I did not see any recycling bins.

People began cleaning up at the end of the event.  Several walked around with garbage bags. Everything including beverage containers from the tables went into the bag.
A few tables had beverage containers set aside, hopefully for recycling. There was a recycling bin at the far end of the bar.

I realized recycling wasn’t as well established as I had begun to believe the night before.
I also observed garbage bags in the recycling bins.

Clear bags need to be used for recycling so the contents are easily identified as recycling and less likely to go out with the garbage. If only clear bags are used for recycling it is less like likely that bags of garbage end up at the Recycling Centre.

I learned two things this weekend.

Recycling happens only when event planners and support staff are committed to recycling and make recycling bins available. 

The Recycling Centre needs to let people know we can provide extra recycling bins and set up information for events so recycling will happen.  

For more information call 204 687 6169.

Originally published Sept 23/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.
​

• The Recycling Centre coordinated the Twenty Minutes of Magic community cleanup program in May. It was part of the Northern Community Cleanup sponsored by Recycle Everywhere. The two $100.00 grocery card prizes for our community were won by Rohan Perera and Julie Lapanse.  The $5,000.00 community prize for a recycling project went to Sherridon.

 

• The second load of e-waste was shipped in July. The Recycling Centre receives $175.00 per metric ton (tonne) for collecting electronics for recycling. If a load weighs more than 10.5 tonnes we receive an extra $20. /tonne. Our last load was over 11 tonnes.  

 
The Recycling Centre takes your old computer items, televisions, sound systems. It is open from 8:00 – 3:30 if you need help unloading. Items can be left on the building dock after hours.  
 
The only appliance we take is microwaves. A complete list of eligible items is at www.recycleMYelectronics.ca. 
 

• Reusing is more important that recycling.  For example, a box of barely used file folders arrived last week. They are so reusable. This causes me pain as I have all I will need for at least the next 20 years but they are too good to recycle. File folders can be turned inside out easily and sticky labels make it easy to reuse them.

 

• We are happy to report there is significantly less garbage in the bags of recycling. However, last weekend several bags had so much garbage and mess they go straight to the dumpster.

If something is on the recycling list, we want it. If it isn’t, we don’t want it.  If you are not sure, call 204 687 6169, facebook at Flin Flon Recycling or the website www.flinflonrecycling.org.  

Originally published Sept 16/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The beginning of a new school year often means the return to packing lunches.  For others, packing a lunch for work is a year round task.

There is a lot of information about packing a lunch that is healthy for people. How healthy is it for the environment?

How many resources does it use? How much garbage does it create?

The average school child’s lunch produces 30.5 kg or 67 pounds of garbage a year.

Remembering the three R’s of being environmentally friendly makes it easier to think about packing an environmentally healthy lunch. 

The three R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle – are listed in order of most important.

The best thing for the environment is to reduce the amount of stuff used. Secondly, reusing goes a long way to reducing the waste created. Recycling is third in order of priority.

The best way to reduce garbage from lunches is to package food in reusable containers.

Use a lunch kit instead of a bag which is thrown away.

Refillable beverage bottles, reusable containers for sandwiches and other foods are available.

 It may seem more expensive at first but the cost of purchasing plastic bags and throw away containers adds up over time. Prepackaged lunch items are also more expensive.

Some heavier plastic resealable bags can be washed and reused several times.

Some containers from lunches that are used only once like juice boxes and beverage bottles are recyclable. Prepackaged ‘lunchable’ containers and single serving fruit containers are usually # 7 plastic which can also be recycled.

Remember the order of the three R’s. Recycling is important but it is the last.  Reusable containers are better.

Good choices now help future generations. 

This is based on the previous post of the  column Alphabet Soup. It was originally posted on the Flin Flon Recycling facebook page.                                                                                                                

Originally published Sept 9/15 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop. 

Many times there are unique letter codes that describe aspects of a specific activity that leaves outsiders confused and in the dark.

Recycling is no different. Here is a partial list of its alphabet soup with explanations.

-          CBCRA – Canadian Beverage Containers Recycling Association – This organization is funded by the beverage container industry. It sponsors the Recycle Everywhere program with free recycling bins for public spaces.

-          EPRA – Electronic Products Recycling Association – This organization is funded by the electronics industry. It pays recyclers per tonne to collect e waste as well as the cost of shipping it to the recycling plant.

-          FFDEC – Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc – This is the local non-profit organization responsible for the Recycling Centre.

-          HHW – Household Hazardous Waste – This is the harmful stuff that needs to be disposed of correctly so it won’t damage the environment.

-          MARR – Manitoba Association of Regional Recyclers – The grassroots organization of municipal officials, employees and recycling operators. More information is available on their website at www.marrmb.com

-          MMSM – Multi Material Stewardship of Manitoba – This industry run organization provides subsidies and technical support to municipalities for household recycling.

-          OCC – old corrugated cardboard. OCC is more than half of the material collected for recycling in our community. It sells for $30.00/tonne.

-          ONP – Old Newsprint. Some is baled separately and sold for $10.00. It is also mixed in with the comingled material and sorted in Winnipeg.

-          PM – Printers Mix or another name for office paper.  A lot of printers mix comes to the Centre separated or shredded so it is baled separately and sold for $75./tonne.

Take the quiz on our facebook page – Flin Flon Recycling. 

Comment - the quiz is also available as a separate post in categories - The Recycling Bin 2015.

Originally published Sept. 2/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

I often hear comments that government should do something for recycling.

Recycling is part of waste management which is the responsibility of local governments like a city or town.

The City of Flin Flon and the Town of Creighton have supported recycling financially for almost 20 years.

Provinces make the regulations that govern how waste is disposed of.

Since the early 1990’s, Manitoba programs have reduced waste going to landfill by more than 15% while it’s population grew by 14%.

Instead of using taxpayer’s money, Manitoba requires industries whose products create recyclable waste to subsidize recycling. Beverage containers, household recyclables, tires, oil, car and household batteries, hazardous waste, and electronics are examples.

Each industry must provide financial and practical help to municipalities to make recycling programs available. Usually industries attach an environmental handling fee to their products which funds a non-profit organization to do the job.

These organizations are referred to as Producer Responsible Organizations or PRO’s for short.

Canadian Beverage Containers Recycling Association (CBCRA) provides free recycling bins for public spaces.

Multi- Material Stewardship of Manitoba (MMSM) pays a subsidy per tonne for materials recycled.

Tire Stewardship Manitoba pays fifty cents a tire for the costs of managing tire collection. Loading and shipping costs are also covered.  

Call2Recycle provides free shipping boxes for household batteries.

Electronic Products Recycling Association Manitoba (EPRA) pays for storage, loading and shipping of electronics.

The Recycling Centre manages these programs at the Recycling Centre and the Flin Flon landfill. In 2014, the Centre received more than $58,000.00 from the PRO’s.

Manitoba also charges landfill operators $10.00/tonne for garbage and returns up to $8.00/tonnes based on how much the community recycles.

More information is available at greenmanitoba.ca/pros.

Originally published Aug 28/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Most of us know there is a variety of ways to get rid of things we no longer want in an environmentally friendly way.  

What about the hazardous items? That’s the stuff in containers with the danger symbols.  The symbols show a skull and cross bones (poisonous), flame (flammable), boney hand (corrosive) inside a stop sign or traingle shape. Items with the triangle shaped exploding rock displayed with the flame symbol (physically hazardous) are also included.

These items include paints, gasoline, flammable liquids, pesticides, aerosol cans, cleaners and degreasers, glues, medication, and fluorescent bulbs.

These items should definitely not go to the landfill or worse yet be dumped on the ground or down the toilet. They are harmful. That is why they have those scary pictures.

So where should they go?

The only items that can be disposed of responsibly any time in the Flin Flon area are paint which is collected at Home Hardware, medications at the pharmacies and batteries at the landfills or the Recycling Centre.

All other items should be kept until the annual Household Hazardous Waste collection.  Miller Environmental comes from Winnipeg and collects them from homeowners.

This year’s collection will be on Thursday, September 17. Hazardous items can be dropped off at Centoba Park from 4 – 8 p.m. Watch for more information.

Product Care is the organization funded by industries that make hazardous products. It provides funding for their collection and proper disposal. It funds the annual collection events.

Product Care also has funding for the construction and operation of a full time collection depot. This information has been given to officials with the City of Flin Flon. Hopefully they will take advantage of the program. 

Originally published Aug 19, 2015   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Every month we calculate the number of metric tons (tonnes) recycled. At the end of July we are 29 tonnes ahead of July 2014.

That is awesome.

A conversation reminded me how many people contribute this success.

The person I was talking to is an avid recycler who encourages others to recycle. There are many members of our community who promote recycling.

Politicians are part of it.

The provincial government has required industry to subsidize recycling costs. These subsidies provided 14% of the revenue last year.

City and town Councillor’s decisions to support recycling are very important. In 1996 the decision of Flin Flon City Council to give a large one time grant made it possible for recycling in our community to survive and grow.

Ongoing financial support from the City of Flin Flon and Town of Creighton Councils provided 28% of last year’s revenue.

Many ordinary people also make it happen as politicians are usually moved by public opinion.

Many have made financial donations to the Recycling Program.

Individuals contribute as Board members volunteering their time in many ways. They oversee operations, contribute ideas and make decisions at meetings. They offer their skills in other ways from maintaining equipment, painting coffee rooms, and organizing fundraisers. 

The employees make recycling successful everyday by working hard and suggesting ways to make things work better.

If ordinary people did not make recycling a habit in their homes, all this work would be pointless.  Fortunately, people want to do their part to help the environment by recycling.

If you are not recycling, join the crowd.  For more information go to www.flinflonrecycling.org,  Flin Flon Recycling on Facebook or call 204 687 6169.

Originally published Aug 12/15 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

The Recycling Centre is operated by the Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc., a non-profit organization. All of the money it receives stays in the organization to operate the Recycling Centre.

Funding comes from a variety of places.

 In 2014, the money received from selling recyclables was only 6% of revenue. More than a third of that came from returning empty beer containers.

Business and Curbside pickup fees were 16% of revenue. This money covers  the cost of providing these services.

Other sources of revenue were building rental (18%), recycling subsidy program (14%), Flin Flon Landfill contract after costs (13%) and donations, fundraising and miscellaneous (2%).

Recycling support grants from the City of Flin Flon and the Town of Creighton were the largest percentage of revenue at 27%. These grants are calculated at $11.40 per person.

There is currently no way for people living in Denare Beach or the surrounding lake areas to financially support the costs of recycling.

In 2013 and 2014, the Recycling Centre asked people living in these areas to pay their share individually to the Recycling Centre. Individuals contributed more than $750.00 in 2014 which was greatly appreciated.

It is considerably less than what would be received if everyone paid the same $11.40 per person that Flin Flon and Creighton pay.

The Recycling Centre is continuing to talk with Denare Beach Village Council, Manitoba Conservation and the Cottagers Association to resolve this issue.

In the meantime, the Recycling Centre is once again, asking residents of Denare Beach and those living at the lakes to contribute directly to the Centre to help with the costs of recycling.

For more information please call 204 687 6169.

Originally published July 29/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

I love the phone calls when someone wants information about the correct place to take something they need to get rid of.

Examples are:

- paint, cleaners, fluorescent bulbs, and old gasoline which are hazardous waste,

- old fridges, water coolers, air conditioners which go to the compound at the Flin Flon Landfill,

- plastic bags, Styrofoam, wrapping paper which are garbage,

- plastic or glass containers, books, cardboard which we recycle.

People are becoming aware they need to get rid of things in a responsible way that will not damage the environment for people, animals and plants.

I do not like mornings when we find things at the Recycling Centre that we do not recycle.

The other day it was a refrigerator.

Other items include small appliances, exercise equipment, window blinds, toys, video tapes, yard waste, clothing, used vegetable oil, furniture and even animal parts in hunting season.

We regularly find things like pallets, and furniture in our dumpsters which the garbage truck can’t take.

A small green disposable propane canister was pulled from a dumpster. This is very serious as it can explode in the garbage truck.

We have to spend time and resources taking care of these items.  

What can you do with these items?

Hazardous items should be taken to the Hazardous Waste collection in Centoba Park on September 17.

Reusable items can be taken to second hand stores. Building materials can go to the Re-Store by the Armouries.

If it cannot be reused and is not hazardous, it goes to the landfill not the Recycling Centre or the bush.

If you aren’t sure where something goes, call us at 204-687-6169 or check the web at www.flinflonrecycling.org.   

Originally published Aug5/15  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Note:   This is a rerun of a column last year with a couple of changes. 

1.       Where and when was the first recycling collection in Flin Flon?

2.       The Recycling Centre has had ___ homes on Timber Lane?

3.       Which volunteer offered to help in 1993 and did almost every day for the next 15 years?

4.        What is the name of the recycling symbol with three arrows?

5.       Plastic bags and # _____ plastic are not recyclable locally.

6.       What colour are the bags used for curbside recycling service in Flin Flon?

7.       Who retired in 2013 after 12 years as administrator of the Recycling Centre?

8.       What percentage of revenue came from selling recyclables in 2014? 50%, 27%, 6%, 88%.

9.       The best year for recycling was 2007 when ____ metric tons (tonnes) was recycled.

10.   Who owns the Recycling Centre?

Answers:

1.       Paper  was collected at Ross Lake Market Garden in November, 1992.

2.       Three:  # 7 from December 1994 to July 1996, #6 from August 1996 to March 2004. Its current location is 9 Timber Lane.

3.       Bob Fortier’s work is a major reason there is a community recycling program today.

4.       Mobius Loop

5.       #6 plastic including Styrofoam.

6.       Red recycling bags are available at the Gas Bar, Acklands, Super K, Coop, Eddies, Pharmasave, The Dollar Store and Recycling Centre for $3.50. 2 more bags/boxes will also be picked up.

7.       Doreen Murray was the third and longest serving Administrator, guiding recycling through many challenges and changes.

8.       Six percent.

9.       500 – The free curbside and business pickups were suspended that year as they were not sustainable, then reinstated with a fee.

10.   No one. It is owned by the Flin Flon & District Environment Council, Inc., a non-profit corporation.   

Originally published July 22/15   The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

I purchased a plastic tote with a lid the other day that was made from 100% recycled plastic. The label stated that 2.9 litres of oil was saved by using recycled plastic.

Saving resources is a major reason recycling is good for the environment.

What kinds of things do the items you recycle become?

 Cascades Recovery is the company recyclables are sent to in Winnipeg.  They send materials on for recycling into the following new products:

Cardboard is made into new cardboard or boxboard like cereal boxes.

Boxboard is made into new boxboard.

Newspapers become new newspapers, magazines or boxboard.

Mild cartons and juice boxes (Tetra Paks) and office paper is recycled into tissues like ‘Kleenex’, toilet paper, etc.

Aluminum cans become new aluminium cans.

#1 plastic like pop bottles and clam shell food containers become fibres for carpets and clothing, making them stronger.

Milk jugs (#2 plastic) become new #2 plastic and is also used for car parts.

Tin is smelted to become new tin, or to make car parts.

Other plastics are recycled into new plastic like the tote I purchased.

Most of the recycling is done in mills in the Midwest or southern United States and Eastern Canada.

You can support recycling by purchasing things made from recycled materials. Check the labels of containers and paper products for information about recycled content.

Did you know the recycling symbol is called a Mobius loop? It is used on plastics to indicate what chemicals have been mixed with the plastic during manufacturing. This is important information in the recycling process.

Recycling means we take less from the earth and need less space for landfills. It is worth it.