In this month’s newsletter, we highlight TONIGHT’S (Oct.22) free screening of the award-winning film, “Just Eat It,” our Waste Reduction Week presentation to Mayor & Council, & more!
PLUS! Check out the “Year 1” Zero Waste initiatives currently being piloted by local elementary schools and Board Member Kathi Halpin traces the evolution of recycling in her home.
A huge Thank You! to all who helped make our Waste Reduction Week (WRW) presentation to Maple Ridge Mayor & Council on October 13 a success!
Ridge Meadows Recycling Society Vice-President Leigh Hodgins first updated council on our amazingly busy summer (thanks to the popularity of the new recycling boxes!) and the highest membership we’ve had in our 43-year history.She briefly reflected on past WRW presentations and plugged an upcoming screening of“Just Eat It”being shown in partnership with Cinema Politica on Thursday, October 22, 7:00 pm at the Maple Ridge Council Chambers.
Leanne Koehn (Community Engagement) then explained how this year’s WRW activity was inspired by initiatives taken by two elementary schools (Alouette & Fairview). After introducing some of the initiatives and the School District’s first annual Energy Challenge, RMRS Environmental Educator Dan Mikolay continued to describe the “Zero Waste School – Year 1” initiatives including other ideas that were inspired by schools in the District.
Some enthusiastic students from Alouette Elementary helped us give out Zero Waste Kits and air purifying houseplants to Mayor & Council to inspire their Zero Waste efforts.
Thanks to all the kids, parents, teachers, & RMRS Board Members who came out to support the presentation and thanks to Amber Light Photography for the great photos!
2015 RM Recycling
NOTE: Due to the August 28 Windstorm, the dates of the 2015 Fall Chipping Program have been MOVED UP to assist residents’ clean up efforts
The NEW set-out deadlines are:
Tuesday, September 15 for Maple Ridge residents who live WEST of 224th Street Monday, October 5 for Maple Ridge residents who live EAST of 224th Street
In this month’s newsletter, we highlight the New Red Box for Plastics and changes to the Fall Chipping Program Dates.
PLUS! Board Member Candace Gordon shares a yummy recipe for reconnecting with your leftover veggies and lowering your food waste and Wildsafe BC Coordinator Dan Mikolay talks about how bears are preparing for the Winter.
In this month’s newsletter, we take a look at the future of Maple Ridge’s multi-sort system and a closer look at glass collection.
PLUS! Photos from Canada Day and our recent Neighbourhood events, summer students, awards, and in the garburator vs. composting debate on what to do with food scraps, Metro Vancouver chooses a winner.
In this month’s newsletter, we invite you to pick up your NEW red & grey recycling boxes on Canada Day and announce a couple of July dates for our Neighbourhood Recycling Dropoff Events
PLUS! Update from Metro Vancouver on their Organics Disposal Ban (aka. Food Scraps Recycling) and Board Member Dennis Kinsey encourages us to watch The Story of Stuff and REDUCE our buying power.
Food Scraps Recycling Regulation Update from Metro Vancouver – May 27, 2015:
“We are heading towards the end of our education phase of the organics disposal ban, (January 1 to June 30, 2015), where loads with high food volumes are identified but not charged. This has allowed businesses and residential buildings time to put recycling systems in place. For further details on the program, visit metrovancouver.org/foodscraps.
What’s Next?
The next stage begins July 1, where enforcement will advance from education-based to a financial penalty. Waste haulers (either municipality or private collector) will receive the surcharge at the waste facility. They will determine how it is transferred back to clients.
In April 2015, Metro Vancouver lowered the fees charged at regional facilities, and most commercial haulers have seen their rates reduced.
Positive Results to Date:
Since the Organics Disposal Ban came into effect January 1, 2015, thousands of tonnes of food scraps have been recycled. In the first four months of 2015, only 58 loads (15 per month) were out of compliance. Early results are encouraging, and indicate that in general large generators of food waste are successfully recycling food scraps.
The Organics Disposal Ban is a commitment on the part of all of us to change the way we manage our waste. By taking food scraps out of the garbage we are:
· Reducing the amount of methane coming from our landfills, generated when food decays in poor conditions.
· Taking the pressure of landfill space, which is limited. Currently about 30% of our food ends up there.
· Making our waste to energy facility, which takes about a third of the region’s waste, more effective by reducing the moisture content of the waste being incinerated.
· Turning the food scraps into compost and biofuel, which can grow more food, or help avoid using fossil fuels.
The ban applies to all garbage generated across the region, from Lion’s Bay to Langley.
The way we manage our waste is changing. Metro Vancouver is responsible for long term planning and disposing of the waste generated by residents and businesses in the region. Managing the waste system needs to be responsive to our citizen’s expectations of high environmental stewardship, as well as being kept affordable.
Organizations and individuals have demonstrated commitment to the success of this regulation, through establishing residential and commercial food scraps recycling programs throughout the region. Member municipalities are supporting residents so that most single homes have a food scraps collection program available.
An expanding resource collection is available to you, including:
· how-to guide to getting a food scraps recycling program for apartments and condos started, as well as a companion brochures for residents (order copies at 604-432-6200);
In this month’s newsletter, we highlight the success of new recycling boxes at Earth Day and the Home Show and introduce our 2015-2016 Board of Directors.
PLUS! On the 1st Anniversary of MMBC’s Printed Paper & Packaging Stewardship program, Executive Director Kim Day reviews why Maple Ridge was able to make a smooth transition, and Earth Day photos, Home Show photos…lots of photos!
In this month’s newsletter, we look forward to the 2015 Celebrate Earth Day festival!
A food truck festival, Queen Elsa, flash mobs, free bikes, fish tents, and the first Haney Farmer’s Market of the year…Earth Day kicks off the festival season with a jam-packed day of celebrating the earth and “Water, Water Everywhere”
PLUS! We have a surprise for you at our Earth Day & Home Show booths, but you have to come in person 🙂
In this month’s newsletter, we look at Nature’s Cycle of Renewal and explore what’s left in the garbage after taking out recyclables & organics.
PLUS! Save the Date! Celebrate Earth Day in Maple Ridge will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 10am – 2pm at Memorial Peace Park. Registration forms and Volunteer Sign-Up info are now available on our website and entries to the Earth Day Poetry & Photo Contest are now being accepted at maple.ridgeearthday2015@gmail.com
Ridge Meadows Recycling Society Vice-President Leigh Hodgins first updated council on our amazingly busy summer (thanks to the popularity of the new recycling boxes!) and the highest membership we’ve had in our 43-year history.She briefly reflected on past WRW presentations and plugged an upcoming screening of 
Leanne Koehn (Community Engagement) then explained how this year’s WRW activity was inspired by initiatives taken by two elementary schools (Alouette & Fairview). After introducing some of the initiatives and the School District’s first annual Energy Challenge, RMRS Environmental Educator Dan Mikolay continued to describe the “Zero Waste School – Year 1” initiatives including other ideas that were inspired by schools in the District.
