Did you hear? At this year’s Ridge Meadows Home Show, we spoke to many people who were happy to find out we now accept Styrofoam at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot, located at 10092 – 236th Street, just off River Road in the Albion Industrial Park.

Our Earth Day Celebrations were a big success and there are lots of exciting events & awareness weeks coming soon, including Food Revolution Day at the Haney Farmer’s Market! Read this month’s Recycling Report to learn more.

Click to download our RMRS May, 2013 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.

This year, Earth Day Partnered with the ARTS! From the tents full of Art Studio Tour artists displaying their talent and giving demonstrations to Maple Ridge Dance Circle’s dancers performing throughout the site, Saturday, April 20, 2013 was a day to remember. The tunes of Penelope Above and musicians at the Farmer’s Market kept the park alive with music and people gathered to hear eco-stories from the Maple Ridge Library inside the big Fish Tent in the ACT Lobby. Flash mobs were everywhere, including Robyn Picard’s swing dancers and the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society’s Spanish Dancers, Dancing Stars, and Zumba Gold.

Eco-Art connections were everywhere at Earth Day! The Maple Ridge Environmental School invited people to participate in Found Art and by the end of the day had created a beautiful mandala (roughly translated as “circle art”) out of leaves, flowers, pinecones, horsetails, and other pieces of nature. The Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council, Ridge Meadows Recycling, & Cinema Politica presented Eco-Films at the ACT and the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association displayed electric vehicles with colourful  artistic decaling.

Two favourites from last year’s event, the Family Freecycle and the Cycle Recycle, grew even bigger this year. The Family Freecycle was held in the Greg Moore Youth Centre. “Last year we collected and gave away the equivalent of ¾ of a cube van full of gently used books, toys, and clothing – this year we gave away the equivalent of 1½!” said Freecycle Coordinator Tanis Green.

“It was definitely another great Earth Day,” said Jackie Chow from HUB: Your Cycling Connection, “We gave away 15 bikes in this year’s Cycle Recycle. My biggest regret is – as always – that I never have enough time to look at everything else that’s going on!”

“We can report a very good day,” added Eileen Dwillies, manager of the Haney Farmer’s Market, “Over 3000 people attended again this year – our counter couldn’t keep up! Sales were one third more than last year and we had very happy concession and food vendors.”

With this year’s success under their belts, organizers can start to look forward to celebrating the Haney Farmer’s Market’s 10th Anniversary with next year’s Earth Day theme, “Food!”

**scroll down for more great Earth Day photos by Amber Light Photography!**

Winners in the inaugural Celebrate Earth Day Poetry Contest:

Elementary category

1) Reid Messier – Huckleberry

2) Gavin Windsor – Funny Fungus

3) Paige Tomlinson – Forests

Secondary category

1) Elizabeth Szalajko – Of the Pine Forests

2) Rachel Weir – What Is and What Was

Adult category

1) Erin Kieneker – The Best Gift

2) Annette LeBox – Crane Count

3) Liz Hancock – The Salmon

Congratulations to the winners of our Eco-Art Connection Prizes:

1) CEED Centre with Jack Emberly, Paula Justus, Raging Grannies, Craig Spears, & Janet Amsden – Storytelling, Music, Singers, Puppets

2) Art Studio Tours & Art Innovators- Community Mural depicting logos & messages of many local environmental groups

3) Ridge Meadows Recycling with Ilona Marshall of Over the Top – Recycled Fascinators & Repurposed grocery bags

4) Alouette River Management Society – Stream of Dreams – Dreamfish Mural

5) Adopt-A-Block with Elizabeth Hancock – Painting

Zumba Gold at Earth Day 2013, photo by Amber Light Photography

Maple Ridge Environmental School Found Art Mandala, photo by Amber Light Photography

Art Innovators’ Public Art Mural at Earth Day 2013, photo by Amber Light Photography

HUB: Your Cycling Connection’s Cycle Recycle at Earth Day 2013, photo by Amber Light Photography

Candace Gordon & Eileen Dwillies of the Haney Farmers Market, photo by Amber Light Photography

Ladybug Eco-Craft at Earth Day 2013, photo by Amber Light Photography

Click to download the Earth Day 2013 Site Map and Schedule of Events

Please share this with anyone you know who loves the earth, loves the arts, and loves being a part of great community festivals!

Have a fantastic Earth Day and see you Saturday!

Click here to download a pdf copy of the RMRS April, 2013 Newsletter. The photos below are just a quick preview This and past newsletters are archived on our website.

Whether you’re renewing your RMRS membership, the greenery in your yard, or your commitment to live simply and reduce your waste, this month’s newsletter has lots of good info. Learn more about our special guests at Ridge Meadows Recycling’s Annual General Meeting, Tuesday, April 2 at the ACT and check out the latest exciting updates on Earth Day celebrations (10am – 2pm on Saturday, April 20) as Earth Day Partners with the ARTS!

Click to download our RMRS March, 2013 Newsletter. This and past newsletters are archived on our website.

We are excited to announce that one has developed for polystyrene, better known as styrofoam, and we are now able to accept this previously un-recyclable item for $2 (cash) per grocery bag full at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot. Save it up & bring it down!

The styrofoam is taken to a new company, Foam Only, located in Coquitlam. Foam Only takes all types of styrofoam, from polystyrene used in road construction and fridge packaging to household items like egg cartons and meat trays.

The company densifies it and reprocesses it into items like picture frames, crown molding, and baseboards.

Learn more about Foam Only through Vancity’s “Story of Impact”:

Another year with LOTS in store! This month’s newsletter highlights the idea of “Re-Think.”

Along with some easy & green eco-resolutions, our Vice-President Leigh Hodgins writes about making conscious decisions as a consumer.

Mark lots of exciting upcoming events on your calendar such as the NOW House Project Presentation Feb.5, the Lantern Festival Feb.22, our Annual General Meeting April 2, and Earth Day and the first Haney Farmer’s Market of the year on April 20!

Sign up for our newsletter mailing list below or check out past newsletters here 

Click to download the RMRS January, 2013 Newsletter

Wondering about the recycling pickup schedule for this year? Mark your calendar now!

Or print your own copy! Click to download and print the

2013 Recycling Statutory Holiday Calendar

Sign up for our newsletter mailing list or check out past newsletters here :)

Click to download the RMRS November, 2012 Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter mailing list or check out past newsletters here

Click to download the RMRS November, 2012 Newsletter