Earth Talker - Reuse, Reduce & Recycle

Old to New, Going Green. How do the Two Relate?

It seems that almost everyone is trying to do their part in helping the environment so what are builders doing? How are they making their contribution?

Around the North America many are watching the hit television show Extreme Home Makeover, which is a show wrapped around helping families live a healthier life. Majority of the time, it takes the builders to demolish their old, falling down homes and rebuilding them with brand new ones, but is that what all builders do?

The answer is NO, there are builders and general contractors all around the United States that search high and low for communities that are falling down and homes that are in need of help. Contractors and builders like this have a skill, they can look at the worst in something and a vision a beautiful work of art or masterpiece in a matter of months.

Most of us want new, it’s practical and most of the times comes with a warranty. It is more convenient, not everyone is like that. Many people want the old, to make it into new. They see it as an investment.

Nearly all around the country people are looking and purchasing homes and buildings that are falling apart so they can bring the original luster or appeal back to them they want to give the structure a new found life.

Homes and businesses that are falling apart and need a lot of work can be found at a much cheaper price than new ones which makes it a key factor for business men and women alike. Purchasing a piece of property for a fraction of the price and putting into it what you what have spent on a new piece turns your property into a profit which is what many want.

Look at it this way, why go out and pay $200,000 on a home? When you can purchase a falling down home for $20,000 and invest just a mere $100,000 in it and resell it for $300,000. If you can do that then you have just made a profit of $80,000. More and more people are beginning to do this as a business or a way of life because they want to see the old being turned into new without damaging history or using all new products that are hurting the environment, it’s their way of giving back or refurbishing. Going Green!

Finding a Green Business Near You!

Many people seem to be falling into the idea of saving the environment and we’re nearly all doing it differently, taking different approaches on how we do it. Some people think by going green, then they need to purchase eco-friendly cars or placing solar panels on their homes, while many others just do small things such as purchasing recyclable grocery bags instead of using plastic or paper. Even if you don’t do your entire work environment green, you can start with little things.

Many people are stuck in the rut of how do I go green, or how do I find a company that is green? Going green is quite simple and there are many different ways on how to find a green company.

First of all you can simply check with your cell phone carrier, bank or any other place that you have an account. It seems like many companies are trying to do their part in helping preserve the environment so they are opting for paperless statements and more ways that you can check your accounts and even pay your accounts and bills online rather than mailing them; which uses paper, checks and stamps.

Secondly, you can search the local web directory; the web is a place to look for a green company or business near you. Home improvement stores, bill companies and companies that specialize in green products can be found online. By searching online, you may take the advantage and research products to see how they are made and how they actually help out the environment. You may also want to check out some suitable reviews.

Another way is to talk to neighbours, friends and loved ones. Word of mouth is another way to find green products or companies that offer green products and merchandise.

Your phone book or yellow pages are also an alternative where you can find green businesses. The yellow pages offer a green section now which allows you to find hundreds of companies and businesses right within your location.

How about start finding a green business next to you?

Recycle Plastic Bags

There continues to be a lot of attention around the plastic bag and what it’s doing to our environment. This is a good thing, when there is noise being made on the issues of waste and preserving resources and protecting animals, good things happen.

So what’s the deal with plastic bags then? There are those that voice the banning of plastic shopping bags from food and other retail stores. But does that mean that produce bags and other plastic bags in retail stores should also be banned? If the problem is bags and resources, then where do we stop? If the problem is litter, then again, where is the line drawn as to what plastics are ok and which are banned? No easy answer.

From what I have seen, plastic shopping bags have become a focal point of debate due to their inherent nature of being a real burden on our environment. Plastic bags take flight and litter our land and water ways, they strangle wildlife, and never seem to disappear. Essentially, we are reminded every day of their presence due to our recklessness disposal of these bags. We see them everywhere.

At a recent waste conference, it was mentioned that for a local government body to ban the use of shopping bags is a difficult task. So, while this proposed ban continues to be tossed around, it is time for each household to take charge of the issues surrounding plastic bags and make a difference.

Cloth bags do work. They are re-usable, stack well and are readily available. Plastic bags are reusable and recyclable. It was stated that 44% of all plastic shopping bags are re-used in the home. If this is true, then the remaining 56% can easily be recycled.

If recycling is not available to you, then make some noise to those in charge of recycling programs in your area. Nanaimo provides bag recycling in their curbside program and the NRE accepts plastic bags for recycling. If recycling is not an option, then dispose of those bags in a responsible manner and ensure that they do not fly-free in the wind to pollute.

Recycle Paint - Quick and Easy

There is a way to recycle leftover paint, empty paint cans, spray paint and flammable aerosol spry cans. The NRE is a registered Multi-Drop Depot for the Product Care Stewardship Program and will accept all the above items at no cost.

When you go to the store to buy the above items, there is an “eco-fee” or “green tax” or “recycling charge” attached to your bill. This money is collected by the store and sent to Product Care, a not-for-profit society that administers the funds and coordinates the depots, trucking and processing of the paint and aerosols. This is why there is no cost at the NRE to drop-off these items as you have already paid up front.

So, it makes sense to use the system since you have already laid out the cash. The NRE makes it easy with operating hours of 7 to 7, 7 days a week. The NRE is even open on statutory holidays to make recycling easier.

There are a couple of rules to follow when dropping off paint, spray cans and flammable aerosols.

Sealed & labelled container – use the original container. If the label falls off, we can give you one to fill out.
Flammable aerosols must have “flammable symbol” or warnings such as “Keep away from open flame or spark”.
Non-acceptable items include – tars or roof patch, glues and adhesives, industrial or automotive paints.
For a full description on how the program works and what all we take go to www.productcare.org. The list is substantial and if you feel some more clarity is needed on the materials in your home, call the NRE direct at 250-758-7777.

Recycle Renovations Wood Waste

The new deck is up, the fence panel is replaced, but what to do with all the rotten wood that is laden with nails? Then there are all those end cuts from plywood and 2×4’s that over the years has accumulated and is taking up more space in your home than you can stand anymore. So what to do with all this “construction” wood waste?

Recycle it! Or, if it’s still has some potential to be used again, re-use it.

Any wood item that has been painted, screwed, nailed and/or glued can be recycled. In reference to recycling construction wood waste, the material is collected, shredded and used as a fuel source to produce energy.

If you have taken the time to remove nails and glued on paper and essentially cleaned the wood, then there is a possibility that it could be re-used. Habitat for Humanity operates the Re-Store located on the corner of Mostar and Boban. The Re-Store accommodates second hand building materials and supplies for those that are looking for a good deal on their next project. It may be a good idea to contact the Re-store to confirm that they will take your used materials, 250-758-8743.

When the wood is beyond practical use, the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange (NRE) is able to accommodate your recycling needs. There is a cost associated for disposal and staff will assist you in offloading your material. The NRE is located at 2477 Kenworth Road and may be contacted at 250-758-7777.

A big convenience factor with the NRE is the extended hours of operation. The NRE is able to assist the community in its recycling endeavours by being open 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm. Easy way to remember the hours of operation is “7 to 7, 7 days a week”.

Recycle Tires

When it comes to tires, there really is a “closed loop”-recycling recycling program. This means that 100% of an old tire is dealt with and not land filled. In 2007, the new Tire Stewardship program in BC recorded 80% of all tires collected where turned into crumb rubber. The remainder was used as a fuel source in the new generation waste-to-energy plants.

To put this into perspectives that we can appreciate, approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of tires where recycled in 2007, that is about one tire per person in BC.

How the stewardship program works is like this; we buy a tire, and the retailer collects an Advanced Disposal Fee or Eco-Fee. This money goes to the not-for-profit Tire Stewardship BC Association. The moneys are then dispersed among collectors, haulers and processors that work in synergy to recycle that old tire into a new reusable product.

Last year, 3,100,000 passenger and light truck tires where purchased in BC. Of that, 2,600,000 entered the program and became crumb rubber. The remaining 500,000 tires usually end up going home with the consumer to be used at some later date.

If you are purchasing new tires, ask the retailer about taking the old ones for you. If you have some old tires at your home, take them to a depot or a retailer that will accept the tires. Make sure you call in advance to ensure that the used tires are accepted even though you are not buying a new set. The Nanaimo Recycling Exchange (NRE) located on Kenworth Road will take tires, with or without a rim. Staff will ask for a $1 donation per tire if the tire has a rim attached still.

Crumb rubber? It’s cool product that is becoming increasingly popular in its applications. Running tracks, new paver bricks, playgrounds and even the new Nanaimo artificial turf uses crumb rubber as its lubricant (so you don’t get a rug burn). To promote tire recycling advancements, extra monies collected by the Stewardship Program go towards the development of new technologies for reusing old tires. So keep your eyes open to new products that come from that old tire.

Gasoline Disposal - How to be Responsible

With the soaring gasoline prices, it almost seems ridiculous to write an article about recycling gasoline. However, it is inevitable that on occasion we have some gas from the boat, lawn mower, motorcycle or some other gasoline driven motor that has become contaminated or is too old to use.

How do you get rid of this flammable liquid waste? The NRE provides a drop-off program for waste gasoline through the consumer stewardship program Product Care.

The program is free for residences to use. However, to ensure safety, there is one important guideline that must be followed to permit participation. All gasoline must be brought to the Depot in a ULC approved container. Essentially, a gas can, jerry can, or portable fuel tank, all labeled with the symbol “ULC”. The max container size permitted is 25L.

An important item to remember; the NRE will keep your gas can. This may be a little alarming to some. However, to offset the cost of your gas can, the program does provide $6.00 cash back to the owner of the container.

If parting with the gas container is too much, the NRE Market or some other thrift store can provide a low-cost replacement container that can be used to drop-off at the Depot.

Do your best to only purchase the amount of fuel you will need for the job or the season. Talk to your authorized dealer about tips on extending the life expectancy of your gasoline for that particular motor.

Waste to Energy, Is It the Answer?

Where do we put all our garbage as the landfill reaches capacity and how do we generate more electricity to an already over taxed power grid? One quick answer is, waste to energy, energy recovery or in more realistic terms, incineration.

By burning our unwanted materials heat is generated and gases are formed. Through different technologies, the gases and heat are used to generate electricity that could go towards heating and lighting our homes. Sounds like a good fit as government bodies at every level begin to feel the crunch of running out of landfill space and the stream of garbage just keeps coming.

Waste to energy (WTE) has been practiced in the past. Unfortunately, the technology of 20, 10, even 5 years ago didn’t meet the requirements of environmental regulations with respect to particulate matter escaping into the atmosphere. Today, that particulate matter is being further reduced into smaller particles as the heat is intensified and more filters are added.

There are a few problems with this solution to our garbage problem that should be looked at a little more closely. First, the exhaust from the WTE plants will still emit pollution into our air. Second, the WTE plants demand enormous supplies of garbage (fuel) to run economically and are a huge financial undertaking to begin with. As a third concern towards the WTE solution, it has been pointed out that it is simply not a sustainable solution.

Why is the WTE concept not sustainable? If we continue to burn all of our resources then what is left over at the end of the day to manufacture new goods. This will lead to more mining and resource extraction from areas that we shouldn’t be going to in the first place only because we are running out of resources. OK, it won’t happen tomorrow, but lets think 50 years down the road. Where does that leave our kids and grand kids?

Sustainable practices mean actions that can continue indefinitely without depleting or altering those resources (raw materials, air quality, water quality, space, economics, responsible lifestyles, health) that are in some way connected to the proposed solution or practice. WTE, although seems like a good fix, may not be the most sustainable practice out there.

So what do we do then? A good place to start is to look at our unwanted things as not being garbage but a resource. If we can do that then the solution to our ever increasing pile of discards will focus on resource recovery.

In keeping our resources, new products can be generated with less energy expended as compared to mining and processing raw materials. But some items are difficult to recycle because of how they are made. That’s why the big push today is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is taking the entire responsibility of recycling away from the back end user (us, the consumer) and making manufactures accountable for the products and packaging they produce.

EPR is gaining momentum; look at the recycling of old computers now. More change along this way of thinking is to come and many plans are already being put forth. But for any sustainable practice to be successful, everyone needs to step-up and do their part.

Recycle Microwaves

What to do with that old microwave? For the typical user of microwave ovens, we know that they are handy little devices that some how use radiation to warm our foods. But they can get a little scary when we see sparks, flames and smell something burning other than the hot dog.

Luckily, microwave ovens are primarily metal. The NRE will take this tired item and place the glass plate either in the reuse market or into the glass recycling container. The oven is placed into a metal recycling container to later be shredded into metal scrap.

Should you desire to simply replace your working microwave oven because it may be too big or too small or it lacks the “automatic popcorn”  feature, then we can give someone else the opportunity to reuse it. The Community Market is available to a wide variety of household items for reuse.

Here at the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange, we promote the hierarchy of the 3R’s. First we reduce, then we try to reuse, as much as possible, then as a last resort we will recycle the item.

For microwaves and other metal appliances (75% metal content or greater) of any size, the NRE can help discard it in a safe and responsible manner.

Recycle Phonebooks

It’s phonebook season again. The shinny new directories are being delivered and we can finally toss that doodle filled, ripped-up phone book that has seen better days. But where does it go?

Phonebooks are recyclable. Not as easy as regular newspaper but they are recyclable. Directories are not considered valuable to the recycler due to the fact that the fibres are so short. The short fibres make reuse difficult for the manufacture of new paper products. But when adding the right mixture of wood fibres and glue, new paper products are possible.

But with all that, recycling does prevail as the responsible means of disposal. Old phone books can be placed in the curbside yellow bag. They can also be dropped off at any recycling bin that is labelled Mixed Paper.

Keep your eyes and ears open for a special fundraising phonebook collection drive by a school or sports team. This fundraiser used to be a good way of helping the community and the environment as monies were given to the collection group from the Directory Companies. Times have changed and over the last few years money incentives to recycle that phone book have been harder to find.

Nonetheless, you can still recycle that book.

By recycling a phonebook, the fibres go towards the manufacture of new phone books. I came across some interesting stats that may just entice you to recycle that old directory. For every 500 books recycled, we save:

7,000 gallons of water
3.3 cubic yards of landfill space
17 to 31 trees
4,100 kilowatts of electricity, enough to power an average home for six months