What I’ve Learned: Zain

Over the past 6 weeks we’ve tossed around a lot of ideas about what to do to make a difference in our community. One of the first things that I learned was that it’s not as easy as people think…..especially when you are trying to think of a novel solution. It’s also interesting to see what type of problems people put the most weight on. We all had a different idea of what we could do to solve the problem of waste management, and we evolved from a simple recycling idea that may not have gained much ground, to a more substantial composting plan that is easy enough for everyone to do and beneficial enough for businesses to adopt. We also learned how to balance our time such that we would be able to maximize our production when we met up. Speaking to different people taught me that I’ll also have to think outside of the box when I start my own career. There are many issues to be dealt with (such as waste management) that may be outside of the scope of the job description. I’ve also noticed that I’m caring a lot more about what’s going on in the environment. I’m noticing little things…things that can be recycled, things that can be composted….and I’m also starting a compost in my own back yard. It has been an enlightening experience, and while it was more work than I thought it would be, it was worth it because I can now say that I have not only helped the planet by starting my own compost, but I have the knowledge to educate others and help them do what I am already doing now.

Why composting?

Composting is a waste management solution that has been around for a while now. However, it’s not always the first thing that comes to mind when trying to reduce waste. Many people wonder “why composting”? The real reason lies in the benefits that can be obtained by composting. In order to increase the popularity of composting, it is important to realize how easy it is and how it can help us. With help from the Environmental Protection Agency and their website, we have found the most important benefits to composting. One of the main things that we should remember is the impact that composting has on the overall quality of soil. Compost can suppress plant diseases and pests. Why is this important? It is important because this means that we will rely less on harmful pesticides. What it all adds up to is a higher yield of crops and the fact that we are not damaging our atmosphere by releasing harmful gases. Another important point is that composting will purify existing soil. This is done by enabling metals to bind instead of heading over to water sources (this will help in odor absorption) and it completely decomposes wood preservatives and pesticides (as mentioned before). In keeping with the reduction theme, composting can also reduce pollution. By composting organic materials, we divert them from landfills and thus reduce the amount of harmful methane that is usually emitted from landfills. With such a big issue with where to put our excess waste here in Vancouver, it is important to divert as much waste away from the landfills as possible. Finally, one of the most important issues is the issue of cost. As our statistics suggest, composting is a cost-effective alternative to waste reduction.

source: http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/composting/benefits.htm

More Benefits of Reusable Food Containers

Many people use tupperware or similar items to store their food as well as to transport it to school, work, etc. Kids also use lunch boxes to take their lunches to school. But did you know that if you use such containers, you’re basically only paying around $10 per year to store your food? Imagine the costs that are saved when you don’t have to use utensils and one-time use containers when you’ll have sit-in meals. This site lists a number of different containers and their prices. The problem with reusable bags is that the construction of them will be of poor quality, which means that you’ll be spending more to buy more in the long-run. Reusable containers such as those made out of aluminum are the most sanitary and will last the longest. Here are more misconceptions that will highlight the benefits of reusable food containers:

Who’s making the bag and where?

Perhaps the most important question to ask a retailer when considering whether to add a free or cheap reusable bag to your collection is: How are the bags being produced so inexpensively? Fair Trade and Fair Labor practices ensure that employees get a healthy work environment and living wages, and that the goods are produced in a manner that protects natural resources. Such practices usually mean a higher bottom line, which makes inexpensive reusable bags suspect at best and a harmful contradiction at worst if people or natural resources are being exploited to produce them.

Will the bag last?

Even if a cheap or free reusable bag is made according to Fair Labor practices, chances are, the materials and/or the construction of the bag are of poor quality. Cheaper construction may include using toxic or unsafe materials. Or, the bags simply may not last. A cheap reusable bag will break after a few uses – bags that are more flimsy than sturdy will start to give way as you load them up with gallons of milk, cantaloupes and other weekly essentials. Soon, they end up in the garbage can or the recycling bin, minimizing the number of uses and, paradoxically, increasing bag consumption.

A high quality reusable bag eliminates hundreds of cheap reusable bags, and thousands of paper and plastic bags, over its lifetime.

Remember all of those free t-shirts?

When something is free, we tend to take it, whether or not we need it. Then it sits in the back of a closet or cabinet, taking up space and contributing to more wasteful consumption. Cheap reusable bags run the risk of becoming glorified one-timer bags. Soon, you could have a cabinet or closet full of cheap reusable bags that aren’t being used, which ends up rivaling your former plastic and paper bag collection – and adds more trash to landfills.

Does Trader Joe know you’re cheating on him with Whole Foods?

Many cheap reusable bags have a design or logo, usually the company’s name. It’s there for a reason – in addition to providing you with a feel-good reminder of where the bag came from, the company also hopes you’ll spread the word by donning their bag all around town. Are you comfortable being a walking advertisement for the company that gave you the bag?

Perhaps more importantly, would you walk into one store with another store’s logo-emblazoned reusable bag? Many people feel uncomfortable using a Wal-Mart bag at Whole Foods, for example, and end up collecting bags according to store, which defeats the spirit of reusability.

Quality, not quantity.

Instead of more bags, our advice is to own a handful of attractive, practical, high-quality bags that you really like, and will really use. Durable bags from a trusted source will minimize waste and minimize headaches. Instead of choosing from a heaping pile of cheap or free reusable bags, you’ll have your tried and true favorites and be on your way to reducing consumption. Simple and efficient.

source:

Why I’m getting fed up with recycling

While doing research and trying to figure out reasons why recycling rates are so low in the Lower Mainland. On Wednesday, as I was picking up my recycling bin from the curb after the trash had been collected, I noticed a few items that were left in the blue bin: a couple of yougurt containers and a few smoothie bottles. I wasn’t too pleased because I could have just thrown those things away in the first place and I would have avoided picking up the trash the second time. It’s really frustrating because I feel like I’m trying to do something good for the environment, but the trash companies are making the decisions on what they want done and it’s kind of troubling having to worry about what will go and what won’t….it’s almost easier to throw it all in the trash and not have to worry about it. This may be a personal beef, but it could be a reason why people fail to recycle…they just may not care…..

…What we can expect if we don’t reduce waste…

With the ongoing garbage strike in Toronto, one has to wonder what would happen if we saw a repeat of what we saw a couple of years back, here in Vancouver. In fact, Canada Day celebrations were cancelled across many part of the Greater Toronto Area due to the high amounts of garbage on the streets. It’s pretty sad that our country’s day to shine was cancelled on account of some differences between people….but that’s beyond the point. The city didn’t want people exposed to the filth that was accumulating on the streets. Many cans were overflowing with garbage after just one day of the strike. The point here isn’t to admonish Toronto for what is happening, the point is that if we do not reduce our waste, we increase our reliance on infrastructure….it usually works, but what happens when things like strikes affect service? The more waste we generate, the less options we give ourselves when it comes to saving our planet. In case you haven’t seen it already,the video can be seen here.

If we realize the results of what could possibly happen if we let ourselves rely too much on others (we’ve already seen it once in our own home town), we might just be able to look ourselves in the mirror and say that enough is enough with regards to creating so much waste. So what are the solutions? The Trashbusters will soon find out!

Myths about recycling

Only about 50% of Metro Vancouver recycles…why? Our mission is to bust the myths that are associated with recycling and try to get these people to recycle more. Here’s the list…..we’ll give our thoughts on the myths as well….

MYTH #1 : Recycling that goes into recycling bins actually gets recycled

Many of the things that are collected from the curbside are recycled into new materials. Often, they are made into new secondary products, such as bumpers, plastic lumber, or textiles, however, these secondary products are not recyclable. This won’t reduce the amount of new materials actually used in products….In this case “recycled” merely means “collected”.

MYTH #2: Curbside collection will reduce the amount landfilled

Actually, if people perceive new packaging to be more environmentally friendly, they might actually consume more goods. The problem here is that if the consumption rate is higher than the collection rate, then there will be more waste in the end…and since only a small percentage from the curbside is actually recycled (myth 1), it will mean that more trash will be dumped in the landfills.

MYTH #3: The chasing arrows symbol means that the matieral is recyclable

The arrows mean nothing. You’ll see them on all plastic materials. What really matters is the number inside of the symbol, which tells you how much glass resin was used in making the product. This will determine how recoverable the material will be in the end when it is actually recycled.

MYTH #4: Packaging resins are made from the waste of petroleum refineries

Wrong, plastics are made from non-renewable natural resources that could be used for other things or conserved. Most packaging is made from the same natural gas you use in your house for heat and to heat hot water.

MYTH #5: Using plastic containers reduces energy consumption

When you factor in the energy used to make plastics and plastic resin, it actually amounts to the same as the energy used to make glass containers from new materials and much more energy than that of making glass from recycled materials. Use refillables if you want to conserve the most energy.

…..so these could all be possible reasons for the lack of recycling here in Vancouver…..the question is, what can be done to change this?

source: http://www.ecologycenter.org/ptf/misconceptions.html

Tips from California

Check out the solutions proposed by the Ecology Center in Berkely, California:

1. Reduce the use
Source reduction Retailers and consumers can select products that use little or no packaging. Select packaging materials that are recycled into new packaging – such as glass and paper. If people refuse plastic as a packaging material, the industry will decrease production for that purpose, and the associated problems such as energy use, pollution, and adverse health effects will diminish.

2. Reuse containers
Since refillable plastic containers can be reused about 25 times, container reuse can lead to a substantial reduction in the demand for disposable plastic, and reduced use of materials and energy, with the consequent reduced environmental impacts. Container designers will take into account the fate of the container beyond the point of sale and consider the service the container provides. “Design for service” differs sharply from “design for disposal”.

3. Require producers to take back resins
Get plastic manufacturers directly involved with plastic disposal and closing the material loop, which can stimulate them to consider the product’s life cycle from cradle to grave. Make reprocessing easier by limiting the number of container types and shapes, using only one type of resin in each container, making collapsible containers, eliminating pigments, using water-dispersible adhesives for labels, and phasing out associated metals such as aluminum seals. Container and resin makers can help develop the reprocessing infrastructure by taking back plastic from consumers.

4. Legislatively require recycled content
Requiring that all containers be composed of a percentage of post-consumer material reduces the amount of virgin material consumed.

5. Standardize labeling and inform the public
The chasing arrows symbol on plastics is an example of an ambiguous and misleading label. Significantly different standardized labels for “recycled,” “recyclable,” and “made of plastic type X” must be developed.

source: http://www.ecologycenter.org/ptf/misconceptions.html

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Looking to reduce waste, and earn money? Large businesses and organizations are able to recycle their old office products for cash or points, via companies like Funding Factory (http://www.fundingfactory.com/FAQ.aspx?id=98).

In addition, sports teams, charities, and even individuals are able to raise money by recycling. We are all familiar with bottle drives, but did you know you could do the same for newspapers? 38.2 percent of our total waste is from paper and paperboard (http://www.recycling-revolution.com/recycle-newspaper.html), so why not start solving the issue of too much waste here? It is really interesting to note that kids can earn money for delivery newspapers, but what about picking them up? Not only do we save the environment, but we also stimulate the economy: two jobs are now created, not just one!

Richmond’s new plan

Turns out Richmond is figuring out a new way to prevent more waste from accumulating in landfills-compost heaps. Anything made out of organic materials will be mixed with soil and composted…..It may not seem like a big deal until you realize that food waste makes up 13% of the waste in landfills….and the smell? There’s an exhaust fan that sucks the air out of the compost and purifies it….check out the rest of the story here:

Metro Vancouver's Mavin Hunt at the Richmond compost facility

http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/49210912.html

Do you recycle? Vote now!