depot events
HAITI FUNDRAISER
at the Pender Island Recycling Depot
PIRS and the students of Spring Leaves Family Learning (Pender School’s Home Based Learners) are undertaking a fundraiser throughout March 2010, the beneficiaries will be the people of Haiti. This fundraiser is also a terrific opportunity to show our young people that they can help those in need, half a world away, and do it through something as universal as recycling.
For the entire month of March, PIRS will donate the proceeds from all refundables to Haiti relief initiatives. Refundables accepted at the recycling depot include:
• Juice containers (gable and tetra pak, all sizes)
• Pop, Juice and Water bottles (plastic and glass, all sizes)
• Liquor, Wine and Beer bottles, puchased in Canada (glass, plastic and boxed)
• Aluminum cans, preferably uncrushed (pop, juice, beer and non-alcoholic beer)
We ask all Penderites to join in by dropping off their refundables at the recycling depot. Thanks very much.
depot
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PENDER POST COLUMNS
by Mike Wiley, PIRS President
March 2010
What do you do when you have a chance to tie in recycling with kids, education, fund-raising and helping people in Haiti? You jump at the chance.
The Pender Island Recycling Society and the depot staff have been asked to assist in a fund-raiser to be carried out by the students of the Pender School’s Home Based Learners, officially known as Spring Leaves Family Learning. The beneficiaries of the fund-raiser will be the people of Haiti, a country still hurting from the January 12 earthquake. The fund-raiser is a worthwhile venture and a terrific opportunity to show our young people that they can help those in need, half a world away, and do it through something as universal as recycling.
PIRS is delighted to announce that for the entire Month of March, we will donate the proceeds from all refundables. Refundables include juice containers, plastic and glass bottles (all sizes of plastic pop, juice and water bottles, and plastic liquor bottles, plus glass liquor, wine, beer, soft drink and juice bottles purchased in Canada), and uncrushed aluminum cans (pop, juice, beer and non-alcoholic beer cans). The Spring Leaves Family Learning students will be active participants, and we ask all Penderites to join in by dropping off their refundables for this terrific project.
For the last ten years, the PIRS financial scorecard has been kept by Reneé Watson. Ten years! The PIRS Board was surprised and saddened when she advised us that she will be hanging up her PIRS general ledger. Reneé has other jobs and two sons that keep her, and husband Chris, hopping. Not only did Reneé always have the answers to our "How are we doing" questions, but she possessed a wealth of information, background and history. She knew what we did in the past, why we did it, what worked and what did not. We will miss her. Reneé has kindly agreed to stay on for a short time while the PIRS Board looks for a new Treasurer. If you have some financial background and expertise, and want to serve the cause of recycling on Pender, the Board would like to hear from you.
In closing, let me say that Reneé Watson’s contributions did not stop at her treasurer’s duties. She was always a hard worker and willing volunteer in our role at the Fall Fair. When we needed a meeting place or a location for the Christmas party, she offered her house as well. We thank Renee’s husband, Chris and their sons, Nigel and Gavin for sharing her with us for all those years. The Board thanks you Renee’ and, personally, I thank you. Hard working volunteers like you are among the reasons that they are all good days on Pender.
February 2010
Christmas decorations have just been put away, and it only takes one quick glance in the mirror to confirm that the Christmas turkey was certainly “put away”. The branches and litter from our January winds have been picked up and Valentine’s Day is virtually upon us.
As we race into 2010 we also race into a new PIRS membership season. Last year we had a phenomenally successful membership drive, thanks largely to conscientious people of the Penders, and to a brilliant suggestion to set up a “membership” table right at the recycling depot. The post-Christmas/New Year’s depot rush is over so look for the reappearance of the membership table, usually with a PIRS Board member in attendance to answer questions and sign you up for another year. Your support is vital and very much appreciated . . . the best $10 you can spend on Pender!
The depot has been taking plastic bags for a long time but, because there have been no markets for them, we have been baling and stock piling them - obviously not a long term solution. Let’s all try to avoid the use of plastic bags as much as we can. In last month’s column I wrote about reusable cotton or nylon bags for veggies instead of using the plastic in-store bags provided. I have since bought two more. It is surprising how easy it is to replace the ever-present (I wanted to say “ubiquitous” but I have been told that is a very pretentious word) plastic bags. Even if we don’t have a cotton or nylon vegetable bag, it still helps if we simply re-use a plastic bag. The earth, air and ocean will appreciate our efforts.
In the spirit of things we can do . . . remember when you are lavishing chocolates and flowers on your Valentine, cellophane cannot be recycled. Cellophane might dress up the flowers or chocolates a bit, but it is better to send your loved one a message that you really do care. Decline cellophane whenever you can. Slightly less glamorous than presenting flowers is dealing with wire coat hangers. If they are in good shape (not bent or rusty), Sidney Cleaners, next to Capital Iron in Sidney will be happy to take them off your hands.
In our effort to make our depot the best it can be we have added another new staff member. The new, “brighten-your-day” smile at the depot belongs to Angie Bowns! Angie started in January and fits in with the crew and the work very well. Next time you see a new face and a big smile at the depot be sure and say hi.
I know what you are thinking, and yes, Angie has already driven the forklift. You may recall my barely concealed jealousy the last time new employees got to drive the forklift. I am handling a bit better this time because, in January, I finally achieved my lifetime goal of driving the forklift . . . not during regular hours of course, and certainly not inside the building (that would be really foolish) but I did drive it! Big new smiles at the depot and a chance to drive a forklift . . . two more reason why they’re all good days on Pender.
January 2010
Happy New Year!
Another Lantern Festival is behind us, and the Olympics lie ahead. Well O.K., none of the Olympic competitions will actually be on Pender. Did you know that we almost had two Olympic events on Pender? Had the International Olympic Committee not vetoed our offer of using Mount Norman for the downhill skiing and Oak Bluffs for the ski jumping competitions, those events would have been here. The reasons given for vetoing the Pender sites involved some nonsense about insufficient parking at the Mount Norman venue and some silly safety issues regarding the ski jump venue.
We are tough on Pender. Let the mainland have their games. We will bear no grudge. We will just carry on and deal with more important things, like plans for 2010 and how we can make the world a better place. We don’t have to start big – baby steps will do. Renewing memberships in the Pender Island Recycling Society is a fine first step. The start of a new year has traditionally been a popular time to renew PIRS memberships so we wanted to fire off this little reminder. The next time you are in the depot, any staff member will be delighted to accept your renewal.
The recycling depot has managed to survive these brutal economic times, due in no small measure to the conscientious people of this island (permanent and seasonal) who support recycling, both with their memberships and by continuing to drop off those revenue producing plastic and glass drink bottles. A big thank you to you all.
I am not a big New Year’s resolution guy but the start of a new year is probably a good time to consider doing things differently. We might try to see how many ways we can reduce plastic in our lives. We have come a long way in learning to use recyclable cloth bags instead of plastic. Are we ready now to try an alternative to the clear plastic produce bags at the supermarket? The plastic in those bags does not go away. Sooner or later it winds up in landfills or worse still, in our streams, lakes and oceans. There is an alternative, a product called Onya bags. They are washable, reusable and designed specifically for use as produce bags . . . waaay better than plastic. On Pender, these bags are available at the Medicine Beach Market and Southridge Country Store. Obviously, using an Onya bag takes a little more effort and thought. But what is a little effort when it comes to doing a small favour for Mother Nature?
On behalf of the recycling staff and board, accept our best wishes for 2010, another year full of good days on Pender.
December 2009
I checked back over the past Pender Post columns and apparently, we really did have our full quota of 12 months. Thanks to a very successful membership drive and your continued and generous recycling of cash-generating items like returnable bottles, we have managed to maintain our financial stability. We encountered deep snow, dusty wasp-filled summer days, and this fall’s rain, rain, rain. Throughout these tests, our customers have been very patient, co-operative and generous. The staff and Board of PIRS want to extend our thanks for your support.
As we head into Christmas, there are some key reminders. In addition to reminding you about the winter hours (Tues 8-3pm, Sat 10-3pm and Sun 1-4pm), please remember that the depot will be closed all day Boxing Day, Saturday, December 26. We also suggest that you think recycle when you wrap your gifts. When our children open a gift wrapped in yesterday’s newspaper (instead of non-recyclable shiny, silver-backed new Christmas paper) they will appreciate the fact that the giver cares about the future of the world they will inherit . . . not a bad Christmas message. Newspaper is not the only thoughtful, earth-friendly wrapping choice. Check out some of the clever wrapping ideas on display at the depot.
The Depot staff reports a huge upswing in shredded paper in the last month or so. Shredding paper makes sense when it comes to confidentiality and identity theft protection. However, because shredded paper is much bulkier than unshredded, we urge you to be selective about what you choose to shred. Thanks.
Please note that December marks the start of our winter membership drive. Memberships are up and each one counts, and each one helps . . . $10 (or more if you wish), money well spent!
Our terrific depot staff and the board of the Pender Island Recycling Society all wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever seasonal greeting is appropriate. And, of course, we wish you a Happy New Year, one that again will remind us that they are all good days on Pender.
November 2009
“Business before pleasure, Michael.” That is what my mother used to say. Of course she was right, not a lot of fun, but right. In honour of mom, the first order of business this month is to remind you that the recycling depots’ winter hours are in effect: Tuesdays 8-3 pm, Saturdays, 10–3 pm and Sundays, 1–4 pm. The work part is done.
Andy Nowak and 20th Anniversary MC, Leslie McBain
Business done. Now can I talk about the party? The 20th anniversary PIRS celebration held in late October at the Community Hall was a great party, a great celebration. The sellout crowd consisted of ex-staff members, ex-board members, avid recyclers, special friends of the Recycling Society and Depot, representatives of the other Gulf Island recycling community, and especially, some of the key players who had the combined foresight to establish the Pender Island recycling operation in the first place.
Ted Scoles, ex PIRS President, came all the way from Winnipeg, to renew acquaintances with Max and June Allan, and to rub shoulders with others who had been there in the early days, laying the groundwork for what we enjoy today. It was great to some of the original volunteers like Peter Kearvell, master of the can crusher, whom Andy Nowak said took “early” retirement at 84!
I can’t speak for all the potluck dinner items but the ones I sampled were exceptional. The Community Hall never looked so good, thanks to the decoration committee. Many generous supporters kindly donated a variety of obviously appealing silent auction items, resulting in a competitive auction and a healthy contribution to the recycling operation. Thanks to all those who put in a ton of hours to make the evening a success. If you missed our 20th, mark 2039 on your calendar, I am sure there will be another celebration for that milestone, and more proof that they are all good days on Pender.
October 2009
The busy summer recycling season is over, so this is a good time for both reviewing and looking forward. The staff had some very busy days and wanted me to pass on their thanks to the customers. Your patience and co-operation was much appreciated.
There are still a few customers that are irked by some of the new requirements for separating recyclables . . . separation anxiety? We think that it is important that our customers understand that these requirements are not imposed by our staff or management. The need to separate materials the way we are now doing reflects what the specific requirements of the companies to whom we sell/deliver the materials that we collect. Thanks for the co-operation and understanding.
While I am on the subject of the depot operations I should remind you the Recycling Depot has now switched to our fall/winter hours: Tues 8am-3pm, Sat 10am-3pm and Sun 1pm–4pm.
Not only is another summer behind us but so too is another Fall Fair. The dinner was great as always and this year we took a more hands on approach to handling the food and non-food dinner scraps. That system worked very well and we were able to further reduce the amount of material heading to a landfill site. A big thanks to the volunteers that handled that new, and not very pleasant chore.
This is the first year that the Pender Island Recycling Society has not been involved in organizing and collecting the recyclable waste from the Fair grounds. This year Pender Island Waste Management volunteered to take over that responsibility. They did a great job, and as one recycler to another, congratulations on a job well done!
Dave Dossor’s Imagination Station was a big hit again this year . . . more young people, more sawing, more gluing, more hammering and, on Dave’s part, more appreciation for silence when it was all over. I still think that hanging out at the Imagination Station is the most fun anyone . . . adult or kid . . . can have at the Fall Fair. Every year we get a load of interesting scrap wood from Chuck Burgess and this year Andy Nowak added to the Burgess supply. Thanks for your support, guys.
We had an increase in entrees for both art from recycled material and useful items built from recycled material. Congratulations to all the participants and especially to Jungen & Brisio Cousins, winners of the Karl Hamson Recycling Trophy.
There is nothing better than a Fall Fair wrap-up to remind me that they are all good days on Pender.
September 2009
Twenty years of recycling on Pender – and we are throwing a party!
Much has changed since 1989. Buildings have been added, staff has changed from a predominantly volunteer, but dedicated group, to a fully paid and equally dedicated crew of 10. We now boast balers and compactors and forklifts that the early staff could only have imagined having on site. Twenty years of progress and dedication has paid off, and we want to take this opportunity to thank our great Pender Island “customers,” all past employees, past board members, and the many fine people who have provided such key assistance along the way.
The celebration will be at the Community Hall on Saturday, September 26. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m., and the evening, promises to have all the important ingredients - old friends, a potluck supper, cash bar, silent auction, live music, and a display of recycling memorabilia (including collectors item quality photos of the young and dashing Andy Nowak). Tickets, in limited supply, are available at the Recycling Depot for a mere $5 (children under 12, free). Mark September 26 on your calendar, and plan to join us.
This summer has been a busy one, especially with the new separation of plastics and the belt tightening, both at the depot level and with our end customers who receive our “production” by the truckload. The staff wants to pass on their huge thanks for all the co-operation and cheerful diligence that has been displayed by our customers and members. In these tough economic times we have received extraordinary customer support as evidenced by the continued inflow of refundables. That kind of support has been crucial in our battle to maintain a positive bottom line . . . thanks! Your support further underlines the fact that they are all good days on Pender.
August 2009
Psst . . . don’t look now but I think that August 22 and the Fall Fair are just around the corner. Granted, events like Christmas always arrive before I am ready, but the Fall Fair seems to be developing a similar talent.
PIRS is proud to sponsor two competitive categories, both for homemade items using recycled material . . . one category for functional items, and another for artistic items. Check out the Fall Fair catalogue for more details, including the big prize money being offered. Judging both competitions will be that intrepid recycler and arbiter of recycled creativity, Wally Foster.
Despite all the great crafts, artistic displays and the corn-on-the-cob, my favourite part of the FF is the PIRS-sponsored Imagination Station. Girls and boys, with the tips of their tongues peaking out of the corners of their mouths, determinedly whack away at a crucial nail or attempt to make the final saw cut in their prize project. It’s loud and it’s fun, and nobody has more fun than Dave Dossor and his helpers.
Right next door to the Imagination Station is the PIRS booth where we again will present a recycling quiz, with more prizes. Best of all, the good people at the PIRS booth will be delighted to sell you a PIRS membership and, of course, membership renewals are also welcomed. New and old members should note that due to the Fall Fair, the recycling depot will be operating on a reduced schedule, closing at 1 pm (instead of the usual Saturday closing time of 3 pm.)
Quotation of the day? Canadian film maker, Ian Connacher, gets my vote for, “Remember when you throw something away, there is no ‘away’,” Connacher’s film, “Addicted to Plastics” is being presented by the Pender Island Film Society on Saturday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Hall. The film provides an intriguing look at the path of plastics over the last 100 years . . . what we know about them, what we think we know about them, and what we were never told about them. Connacher, who spent three years making and editing this film, points out that only about 5% of plastic is ever recycled and, sooner or later, 80% of disposed plastic ends up in the ocean. His film is an eye-opener, but Connacher does attempt to provide some hopeful perspectives about our future with plastics. Mark August 1 on your calendar.
The staff has asked me to thank all you recyclers who have made a real effort to reduce your speed as you travel through the depot. Any speed at all raises a lot of dust and increases the risk of injury to staff, customers and the various pets that pop out of cars to help with the family recycling. Regretfully, some people still haven’t seized the connection between vehicle speed and danger. To those few we urge you to ease off the accelerator, for everyone’s sake.
Thanks, and remember, they are all good days on Pender.
July 2009
This month’s question month is, “How is the departure of the Lone Ranger similar to the summer operations of the Pender Island Recycling depot? “A cloud of dust and a hearty Hi Ho Silver!”
I believe that is the way the Lone Ranger used to depart at the end of each episode. If you guessed that the Lone Ranger/recylcling similarity is the cloud of dust, you win 30 minutes shopping in the free store!
Dust is a problem at this time of year so we have posted 5km/hr speed limits signs. To make it safer and more pleasant for both staff and customers, please drive very slowly through the depot. Thanks.
It has now been two months since our recyclers have been asked to separate plastic types #3 and #6 from the others. The recycling public has been very co-operative in separating plastics at the depot and we thank you. However, during that 2-month period we have collected over 30 large bags of the #3 and #6 plastics. These plastics are the bad guys, the ones that release carcinogenic toxins when melted in the recycling process. Next visit to the grocery store check any of the plastic containers you buy. If they have a #3 or #6 inside the tri-arrow recycling emblem, don’t buy - find a product packed in friendlier packaging. The environment and future generations thank you for your considerate shopping.
Part of being a grown-up is being able to be happy for others who achieve goals that you yourself had hoped to achieve. Easy to say and admirable to do but darn it, when do I get to learn to operate a forklift? The Recycling Depot is delighted to announce two more people who will learn to operate a forklift before I do. Celene Wilde and Anna Herlitz are the newest beaming faces there to greet you at the depot. Both had their first few shifts in June and we are delighted to welcome them to the staff . . . and yes, I am going to try to be very gracious, when, in the next few months, they realize my long held fork-lift ambition.
Speaking of staff changes, we also lost two long-term staff members at the end of June. Danette Stranan and Jane Harrison have turned in their steel-toed boots in favour of owning and operating the Medicine Beach Market. We, and hopefully all the many friends they made at the depot, look forward to supporting them in any way we can. Best wishes.
Finally, we need some detective work. This is the twentieth year of recycling on Pender Island and we are trying to contact all the previous Board and staff members. We have three people we cannot seem to track down. If anyone has any tips on how to contact Dianna Barnett or Brett Christensen (both ex-PIRS Board members), and ex staff member, Julie Leeson, please call the depot 629-6962.
Remember, they’re all good days on Pender.
June 2009
As I write this it does not feel summery. Have faith. Summer and warm weather will soon settle in. For the Recycling Depot that means two important changes.
Firstly, the summer brings a change in the days and hours of Depot operation. From the June 1 until September 30, the depot will be open on Fridays. In addition to adding Friday to the schedule, we have also re-jigged the hours: Tuesday 8-3pm, Friday 9-3pm, Saturday 9-3pm and Sunday 1-5pm.
The second summer change is wasps! Of course wasps are attracted to any food remaining on cans, bottles and plastic. I have already spoken to the wasps about changing their habits . . . don’t think they listened. Okay, so wasps won’t change their behavior. Our fall back solution is that we change our behavior. Pender Island recyclers already do a good job in rinsing the cans, plastic, and bottles they bring to the depot. During the warm weather months if we all take a little extra care in washing the cans, plastic and bottles it will make a difference . . . making the depot a much safer place for both customers and staff. Thanks.
Prices for recyclables remain depressed but we keep on truckin’ . . . we still have to haul truckloads of recyclables off the island. Ferry costs go up and gas and insurance costs still remain high. In order to somewhat offset our transportation costs, the depot offers a backhaul service – soil, bark, mulch, gravel etc. Please call the Depot at 629-6962 for details.
Last month one of our customers surprised us with a generous cash donation to the PIRS. When a staff member asked if there was any special reason for her generousity, she told about the “Green Angel”. Apparently our generous benefactor had firewood to be split and a friend told her to call the Green Angel. She did and the “angel” split the firewood free of charge. He enjoyed the exercise and the good feeling of helping, but he would not accept payment. When pressed, he suggested that instead, she could make a donation to a favourite charity. PIRS was the beneficiary of her decision to “play it forward.” We have since learned that the Green Angel is Dave Howe. Dave and his partner Ina Timmer, operate a tourism consulting firm, Greenangel, which specializes showing resort real estate developers how to make their operations greener and more environmentally friendly.
Aah, playing it forward, right here on Pender. Small wonder that they’re all good days on Pender.
May 2009
This month’s column . . . black rubber, some hard plastics and green paper.
My Oxford dictionary and I agree on the meaning of “tire” and of “retire” but apparently Mr. Oxford knows nothing about “detire”. Although it is not included in Oxford’s rather large and know-it-all compendium, “detire” means to remove the rubber from a wheel. Okay, so I made up “detire” but it should be a word, and May would be a good time to use it because May is Tire Month at the Recycling Depot.
Throughout May, recyclers can, at no charge, drop off up to four tires – maximum 16”, no rims. Additional tires accepted for only $2/tire . . . a heck of a bargain. If you have “detired” your car, this is your chance to rid the yard or garage of something that will not, in the next 100 years, break down into fine vegetable growing soil.
All hard plastics are not created equal. Take a look at the various plastics that enter your house. In the middle of the tri-arrow recycling symbol on each package, you will see a number from 1 to 6, each denoting a different type of plastic. There is no market for, and no recycling use for #3 and #6 plastics.
In order to be able to market our other plastics, we now are separating the #3 and # 6 plastics. We still accept them at the depot but you should know that, ultimately, they can only be incinerated or buried in a landfill. Wherever possible try avoid them at the store level. In Mid-April, the recycling depot started asking recyclers to put the #3s and #6 in separate bins. It may sound daunting at first, but Pender recyclers actually seem to be enjoying the learning and helping experience.
Finally, some very good, very “green” news. We all use writing, typing or computer paper, and wherever we can, to be environmentally responsible, we use both sides of each sheet. Now Pender Islanders have access to the finest recycled paper – Harbor 100 - at only pennies more per 500 sheets. This paper is not only made from the highest possible percentage of post-consumer paper fibres . . . like the mixed paper collected at your recycling depot . . . but also, it is produced close to Pender island (i.e. minimal imbedded transportation cost) by a “green,” employee owned, manufacturer. Several Pender businesses have agreed to use this paper and Marty Swan of the pharmacy is now bringing Harbor 100 in for resale at the Pender Island Pharmacy. Thanks Marty for making this happen. For more details about Grays Harbor Paper, check out www.ghplp.com.
Who or what is the Green Angel? In next month’s column I will talk about that and other reasons why they are all good days on Pender.
April 2009
Photo: Wally and Patty Foster's cordwood home still under construction.
Ah spring – finally. Spring is such an “up” time of year.The sun is up earlier and higher. The daffodils crocuses and tulips are up or getting up.The redwing blackbirds have come back up to Pender and are chirping away as they attempt to establish prime territories.
Lots of “up” at this time of year but in answer to questions from many of you . . . no, markets for most recycled materials are not up. In fact, at present there is no market for plastic bags or tin cans. We are therefore stock piling these items in hopes of a future recovery of these markets, at least until recyclers will accept them. The markets for other materials from our Pender recycling depot continue to be very weak. In some case we now pay to dispose of goods that we used to be able to sell. That kind of turnabout is very tough on our bottom line!
We would not want you to start putting tins and plastic in the garbage and ultimately the landfill, but we all should try and avoid or refuse these material wherever we can, and reuse them as often as possible. From a financial point of view, PIRS thanks you for your continuing financial support by way of memberships, donations and for generously bringing us you refundable items such as beer and liquor bottles, juice cartons, pop cans and water bottles . . . they are all important to us.
Speaking of thanks, I would like to thank that good crowd that joined us for our AGM in March. No doubt the presentation by Wally Foster on his unique and green house had a lot to do with the solid turnout. A big thanks you to Wally. His presentation was first rate and he fielded a ton of questions from the crowd . . . so many questions that we finally had to cut off the discussion and let Wally continue fielding questions on a one-on-one basis.
Unfortunately, in doing so, Wally did not get the opportunity to thank the many who provided volunteer labour for this building project. In addition to their very skilled family, Wally and Patty asked me to pass on their thanks to: Gord Bailey, Dave Dossor, Rob Eaton, Gino Gemma, Gordie Gorrie, Tim Groh,
Terry Hansen, Glenn Henderson, Wim Honing,
Herb Katz, Mark MacKinnon, Ron Miller,
Wayne NcNab, Doug Patterson and Mike Wiley.
As one of those volunteers, I know I can speak for the rest when I say that is was our pleasure to work with Wally, Patty and there family . . . a good example of why they are all good days on Pender.
March 2009
There are two sides to every story, but there are sixteen sides to Patty and Wally Foster’s newly completed cordwood house. The unique shape and the cordwood building system are just two factors that make the Fosters’ house an interesting story. The Pender Island Recycling Society (PIRS) will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pender Island Public Library, and we are delighted that Wally has agreed to be our keynote speaker. He will share some of the stories behind this unique house.
“The House that Wally Built” is an “only on Pender” story of recycling, ingenuity and perseverance . . . a thought that became a dream that became a reality. Beams, windows, walls, roofing, doors, a feature window made out of a hollowed out log, and an assortment of highly skilled and not-so-skilled volunteer labour – each has its own story. Hear Wally’s stories on March 11 at the Pender Island Public Library (see the ad on the back of this issue of the Pender Post).
The Fosters’ sixteen-sided house is one recycling story. Another important Pender Island recycling story is the current softening of markets for our recycled paper, cardboard, and scrap metal. All prices are down, and in many cases processors that used to pay us for material are now charging us to take it. This changing economic reality and how it might affect us will also be discussed at the AGM.
Mark Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 p,m. on your calendar and please join us at the Pender Island Public Library.
They are all good days on Pender.
February 2009
Valentine’s Day stares me in the face and the first thing I want to talk about is the last few days of ’08 and first few of ’09. I guess that speaks volumes about the winter of ‘08/09.
Firstly, a special thanks to Glenn Grimmer - when we were knee deep in snow, he took time from his already busy day to help us get the recycling depot plowed out. Not only did Glenn find time for us but he also used remarkable skill and ingenuity just to get his equipment up the hill to the depot. Glenn found a way and the staff and customers are most appreciative. Thanks, Glenn.
Secondly, thanks all you recyclers, especially you valiant post-Christmas types who braved the elements only to find the depot too snowed in be operational. We did manage to change our telephone message, hopefully sparing some a fruitless recycle run. When we finally got plowed and shoveled out, there was a tremendous onslaught of cars, stuffed like Christmas turkeys with the remnants of Christmas packaging and over-packaging. It is hard to avoid the excess packaging at that time of year. Through all the delays, crowds, parking limitations, and cold, our fine Pender customers just carried on without complaint or hassle. Boy, did we appreciate that attitude.
Finally, a HUGE thank-you to the staff - even before the first vehicle arrived on January 4, the staff had already spent hours shoveling, scraping and chipping. Judging by the traffic count . . . 48 cars in the first hour and 81 in the first three hours . . . we can assume that our staff had no rest after their “above and beyond” pre-opening heroics. Did I mention cold? Some days were bone chilling and there were some very unhappy fingers and toes by shift’s end. Thanks for a great job, cheerfully done under trying circumstances. The depot operations were impressive in their own right but even more so when you consider the fact that so many staff members and their families were involved in keeping the Lantern Festival on track . . . relocated and re-themed, but on track. If they weren’t performing, arranging, organizing, and spotting (for stilt walkers or the gigantic orca), staff members were pulling extra hours at the depot so their fellow workers could do their Lantern Festival thing.
While we did get through that tough early ’09 period, I must mention that we are still faced with increasingly tight recycling markets. There are no changes to what we do or do not take but anything you can do to further reduce, reuse or refuse (excess packaging), would be greatly appreciated. I also promised to include a reminder in this month’s column. For those who hadn’t realized, we now take milk and juice cartons – no more unnecessary burning.
Thanks to the people the Penders, even in bad weather, they are all good days on Pender.
January 2009
As Christmas and the rest of 2008 fill the rearview mirror,we can begin to look forward to what we hope will be healthy and prosperous 2009 for us all . . .
In the last two months of 2008, the staff and board of the Pender Island Recycling Society (PIRS) started to see changes in the economic reality of recycling, and we expect those trends to persist into 2009. The markets for recycled materials are shrinking, and prices for these materials have also gone down. In some cases, where we used to receive money for our recycled products, we now have to pay – OUCH!
Despite these changes, the Depot is open for business as usual, with no changes to the materials that we can and can not take, and we still have outlets for all of the materials that we collect. The movement of recycled materials usually slows during the winter and then recovers in the spring. We are hopeful that the markets and prices will also recover somewhat by spring. Until then, it wouldn’t hurt for all of us to think twice when purchasing anything in a package. Could we buy a product with less packaging, or, if plastic packaging, could we choose plastic marked with the No. 1 or No. 2 recycling symbol? The market is stronger for these two types of plastics. In the area of packaging, the message is not a new one - REFUSE if you can, REDUCE (in this case, the amount of packaging), REUSE, and finally, RECYCLE (what's left over).
Remember that we cannot recycle shiny metallic Christmas paper or the bows and ribbon, so these items are primary candidates to be saved and reused.
The staff and board of the PIRS thank you for your friendly and enthusiastic support and participation - we all benefit. Your response to our membership drive has been really appreciated. If you haven’t renewed your membership we will be happy to take care of that item on your next trip to the depot. Due to the financial pressures mentioned earlier, memberships, donations and recycling of items such as pop bottles that we can redeem for cash, are more important than ever.
2008 was a great year. The staff and board of PIRS wish you and your families all the best for 2009 and we look forward to seeing you at the recycling depot.
They are all good days on Pender.
December 2008
Here comes Santa Claus
And with him and his trusty elves, a day or two off for our very own elves, the hard working and ever cheerful staff at Pender Island Recycling Station. The depot will be closed on Tuesday, December 25 and on Tuesday, January 1st, 2008. I'll just bet you were eager to go there on Christmas Day, weren't you? Oh, and by the way, please recall when you are sorting the Christmas debris, i.e., wrappings and packing materials, that Styrofoam, foil paper and cards with photographs are not recyclable.
It's a Wrap
On the wrapping note: if you have not already wrapped your parcels, how about using paper bags - you can decorate them with all those unsolicited stickers sent by charities - or better yet wrap in reusable cloth bags. For more ideas on wrapping with recyclable or recycled materials, have a look at what our ingenious recycling elves have used - on display at the station from now until Christmas. There are some rather nice small cardboard boxes there, too, for wrapping smaller items: homemade soaps, mittens, diamonds(?). Yours free or for a small donation.
December is the Cruelest Month
Now I know that is said of April but by April the days are longer, the nights are balmier and the wind and the rains at least here on the We(s)t Coast - are somewhat less than in the dark and gloomy month of December. "What," you say, "has that to do with recycling?" Not much really except that the staff works in the dark for the last part of the day on Sundays during the cruelest months. So please make a note that Sunday hours from October to end of April, recycling are, and effective immediately, 1:00-4:00 rather than from 2:00-5:00.
When in doubt about opening hours, consult the latest Pender Post or phone the station at 629-6962.
Happy New Year
Yes, 2008 is looming and I offer one last little nag for 2007: please renew your membership on your next visit to the station if you haven't already (Goodness, that reminds me!). We on the Board of the Pender Island Recycling Society and the staff at the station wish you and yours a happy holiday season and a wonderful 2008.
November 2008
The depot is staffed by your friends and neighbours. Dedicated recyclers for sure but the friendliest people you could imagine. Even on a dull, rainy day the staff manages to have fun and make the recycling experience fun for our “customers.” Don’t be intimidated by your lack of experience. Who knows, you could be recycling rookie of the year!
The staff, always gentle with first timers, will be delighted to show you around, explain what goes where, what becomes of the recyclables after they leave your hands, and, with great pride, they will tell you what is “on sale” at the Free Store.
One of our staff members bakes spectacularly good bread and another was a golf pro. If a staff member challenges you to a putting contest better hope it’s the bread baker!
Tips for new and old recyclers:
1. To avoid a fruitless Recycling Depot trip remember that the post summer hours and days of operation are in effect (October-May), namely
Tuesday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
2. In the interests of customer and staff well being, please remember to clean up your recyclables before dropping them off. Dirt or food encrusted material not only attracts unwanted insects and rodents but could also act as host for a variety of germs.
3. Lots a goodies in the Free Store. Take a look and you may find just what you’ve been looking for . . . at the best possible price. Please check with staff before adding anything to the free store. Everything must be recyclable and in working order but some things are better handled on either the “give & take” board at the depot or the “give & take” segment of this website.
The Pender Island Recycling Society has four sources of funding:
a) An operating grant from the CRD which helps offset the cost of handling the many items for which there is no adequate resale market
b) A small capital grant from CRD
c) Resalable recycled items such as drink bottles, scrap metals, cardboard and paper
d) Membership sales and donations.
November is the start of our 2009 membership selling period (although we will gladly sell you a 2008 membership if you have thus far forgotten to renew). Similarly, November is a great time to make a tax deductable donation. While the new building was staff-built (under the leadership of Danette Stranan) and we have amazing technical assistance from islanders to keep some of the old equipment plodding along, we still incur new equipment costs from time to time (like $15,000 for a new hard plastic bailer this summer) so donations are always needed and appreciated.
