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about
us
Our
Funding
Our
Board of Directors
Our
Recycling Depot Staff
Contact
Our History
Twenty years ago, the CRD announced its intention to establish a garbage
transfer site on Pender Island. A group of Pender Islanders believed
that there was a better solution: a recycling depot.
An island referendum saw the garbage transfer operation proposal defeated
by a vote of 642 to 21.
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Up
goes the main building
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Winning the vote was easy, starting a recycling operation from
the ground up was formidable... formidable, but not impossible.
The Pender Island Recycling Society (PIRS) was incorporated in January
1989. With grassroots support and a $5 sign-up fee for members,
the PIRS was up and running.
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Proceeding
from recycling theory to reality required land, but purchasing land
in those early years was out of the question. The answer to the problem
materialized when the present property was generously leased to the
society for the princely sum of $1 per year... by long time Pender
residents June and Max Allan. Thanks to a core volunteer work crew
of 30, our first building was erected and the recycling operation
officially commenced nine months later.
In
2001, the Allans generously sold the property to the PIRS at a price
well below market value. Not only was the Allans’ philanthropy
appreciated at the time, but eight years later, ownership of its own
property is recognized as a crucial factor in establishing the PIRS
recycling operation on a sound and viable financial footing.
Humble beginnings and meagre initial funding forced the early operations
to rely on volunteer labour, but it wasn’t long before the group
recognized the need for paid staff. Andy Nowak was hired as the first
Manager. Clearly, the hiring committee had an eye for dedication and
commitment... Andy is still the Manager.
Unlike the early days, the wisdom and necessity of recycling is now
well recognized and as a result, the operations are busier than ever.
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Jill Ilsley
(above) was
one of the first to operate
the can crusher, along
with Andy Nowak (below)
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Like the early days, the staff still shares a passion for the aims
of recycling... recycle, reduce and re-use, but it now it takes a
staff of eleven to process the tons of newspaper, plastic, scrap metal,
bottles, batteries and paint that roll through the depot every year.
Although united by their passion for the principles of recycling,
each staff member brings unique background and skill set to the team.
Michelle Marsden is one such unique staff member. Please see the inspiring
islanders section.
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Ted Scoles (left), and Max and June Allan admire the driftwood bench
and plaque in their honour (June 17, 2001)
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Composter sales, May 1996
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Peter
Kearvell “sorts” the egg cartons back when the depot wasn’t
quite so busy
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Andy
Nowak speaks to a full house at the grand opening of the Pender Island
Recycling Depot’s first “house” (September 4, 1989)
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The
Pender Island Recycling Society’s board of directors and depot
staff in 1997. Back Row: Rob Southey, Gail Fisher, Diane McBain, Jill
Ilsley, Sandy Neff, Ted Scoles. Front Row: Andy Nowak, Marie Burgess
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Our Funding
The Pender Island Recycling Society and recycling depot operation is
funded through four sources:
1. Annual Capital Regional District (CRD) per household grant
2. Revenue generated from the sale of recycled materials collected at
the recycling depot (eg. cardboard, scrap metal, etc) and recovery of
the deposit fee on beverage containers (glass beer, wine and liquor
bottles; glass pop, juice and water bottles; juices boxes and cartons;
plastic pop, juice and water bottles; pop and beer cans)
3. Personal and business donations (an official tax receipt is issued
for donations of $20 or more)
4. Annual voluntary household and business memberships. Please remember
to renew your annual $10 household membership. Thank you.
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Our Board of Directors
Mike Wiley, President
Renee Watson, Treasurer
Cherie Thiessen, Secretary
Cherie Oke, Past President
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Barb McPherson
Denis Budnyk
Ursula Poepel
Allyson Tammemagi
Shirley Searle
Julie Roper
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Our Recycling Depot Staff
Andy Nowak, General Manager
Richard Philpot, Depot Manager
Matilda te Hennepe
Michelle Marsden
Danette Stranan
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Jane Harrison
Herb Katz
Fran Bates
Jenn Kaila
Les Quitzau
Jon Meredith
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Contact Us
For enquires about becoming a member of our volunteer board of directors
or suggestions on how we can improve the Pender Island Recycling Society
operation please e-mail Mike Wiley, President mike@penderislandrecycling.com
For questions about the recycling depot please call the depot at 629-6962
or e-mail Richard Philpot, Depot Manager richard@penderislandrecycling.com
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