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!
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!
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Check out our newsletter to meet our 40 under 40 and see pictures from their Depot Tour & visit with Maple Ridge Mayor & Council AND see the inspiring projects they’re working on NOW!
Sign up for our newsletter mailing list or check out past newsletters here 🙂
Check out our latest newsletter to meet our 40 under 40 and see pictures from their Depot Tour & visit with Maple Ridge Mayor & Council AND see the inspiring projects they’re working on NOW!
Sign up for our newsletter mailing list or check out past newsletters here 🙂
On July 1, 2012, there are a number of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) programs expanding, which means more items will be accepted at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot as part of BC Stewardship Programs. While all electric & electronic items are already accepted at the depot (“Everything with a battery or a cord!”), people can bring many more items to the depot for recycling starting July 1, 2012.
Newly accepted items through Encorp’s Return-It Electronics program include everything used with electronic systems such as 8-tracks, records, cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, laser discs, memory cards, game cartridges, VHS (& Beta!) tapes, floppy discs, & USB drives. While this program doesn’t include the cases, they will be covered in the future by the EPR program for packaging and printed paper, which is currently in its planning stages.
Product Care’s LightRecycle program is also expanding from just fluorescent light bulbs & tubes to include all light bulbs, including incandescent, LED, halogen, & miniature (flashlight & Christmas lights) light bulbs. The program is also expanding from residential lights to businesses & organizations in the “ICI” sector, which covers Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional. Other programs are expanding to include medical grade electronics, electronic toys, car electronics (GPS systems, stereos, & radios), all electric or electronic tools, gaming systems, and any sport, leisure, arts, craft, or hobby devices that have a power cord, plug, or battery.
Here is a list of some of the new items accepted at the Recycling Depot starting July 1, 2012:
Are you a passionate recycler or environmental advocate between the ages of 4 and 40? Do you know someone who is?
Ridge Meadows Recycling Society and The Times newspaper are teaming up to seek the top 40 young environmentalists in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows who will become the next generation of recycling and environmental leaders.
Our top 40 will be recognized during Waste Reduction Week in October. Visit our “40 under 40” page for more info and to fill in an online nomination form.
The little girl in the following video would probably be nominated for a “40 under 40” award…but only if she was lucky enough to live in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows!
On Saturday, April 21, 2012, the sunshine and more than 3000 people came out for the biggest and best Earth Day event ever held in Maple Ridge! Memorial Peace Park was bursting at the seams, with a multitude of entertainers, activities, demos and displays in every corner of the park and the Arts Centre and Theatre during the four-hour community party.
We avoided sending plates and forks to the landfill by ordering a Cupcake Cake!
The very first Earth Day was the spark that inspired the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, so we tied our 40th Anniversary party in with the annual Earth Day celebrations in Maple Ridge. We wanted to make it a big event and create an atmosphere of celebration and recognition for all the ways the community supports the environment. It was a team effort, and everybody worked hard to create interesting green activities and displays celebrating nature & the outdoors, innovation & technology, community, and families.
Tying in our 40th anniversary raised the profile of the event, but its success was due in large part to a partnership with the ever-popular Haney Farmer’s Market, and good luck in benefiting from one of the first sunny days of Spring.
Eileen Dwillies, Market Manager of the Haney Farmer’s Market Society said, “What an exciting Earth Day for the vendors of the Haney Farmers Market. Good weather, lively entertainment and early vegetables brought smiles to the faces of our customers. The collaboration and hard work of the steering committee paid off.”
Culinary Blossoms serves up delicious treats at the Haney Farmer’s Market
The partnership between Earth Day and the Haney Farmer’s Market is a natural one and the market is a big draw, especially after a long winter. Everyone was well-organized and prepared so we kept our fingers crossed for the weather. The beautiful day was the clincher.
Success was also due to the strong level of support from the District of Maple Ridge, Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Parks and Leisure Services staff and staff from the ACT. Thank you!
In past years RMRS organized Earth Day festivities to coincide with composter bin distributions and other recycling initiatives. A few years ago we passed the torch to the CEED Centre Society, and the event outgrew the CEED site and moved to the downtown park. This celebration was really a return to roots for us!
We appreciate the partnership with the Haney Farmer’s Market, the CEED Centre Society, Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, Adopt-A-Block, Maple Ridge Library, “C” is for Comedy Events, and everyone else who worked so hard on Earth Day this year. It was everything we wanted our 40th celebration to be!
Top photo of the SFU Cheerleading Flash Mob and the following gorgeous photos were taken by the talented Karen Learmonth of Amber Light Photography:
(L-R): Councillor Judy Dueck, Councillor Cheryl Ashlie, Councillor Al Hogarth, Pitt Meadows Deputy Mayor Doug Bing, MP Randy Kamp, RMRS Director Leigh Hodgins, Councillor Corisa Bell, RMRS President Dennis Kinsey, RMRS Director Carol Botting (Seated, L-R): MLA Marc Dalton, MLA Michael Sather, Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin Photo by Amber Light Photography
Childrens’ Crafts at Earth Day 2012 Photo by Amber Light Photography
Bear Aware Display Photo by Amber Light Photography
Maple Ridge Library’s Storytime Corner in the ACT Photo by Amber Light Photography
RMRS Characters celebrate 40 Years of Recycling! Photo by Amber Light Photography
“Green” Baby Disco at the Freecycle in the ACT Photo by Amber Light Photography
Newly accepted items through 
