A special presenter visited Bella Coola last week to kick-off the beginning of the CCRD’s recycling education initiative.
Mary Forbes, a waste educator with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, was on hand to deliver recycling education for grades Kindergarten through Grade 7. Forbes, an educator in Williams Lake for over five years, tailored her presentations to each age group, and the end result was an engaging and comprehensive look at how we can reduce our waste and why it’s so important.
Forbes pointed out that the average child’s lunch contains over 70 lbs of garbage by the end of the year, or the approximately the weight of one 10 year old. “Waste Free Lunches” are a popular movement in schools across the country and plans are in the works to encourage the practice locally.
At present, the Thorsen Creek Recycling Depot accepts more than 30 different categories of items for recycling and is a drop off facility for most provincial Product Stewardship Programs. The depot is staffed by a friendly recycling attendant who is available to assist customers.
Currently the program accepts all consumer packaging such as paper and cardboard, plastic and glass containers, styrofoam and electronics. The depot also accepts hazardous waste such as batteries, used oil and oil filters, flammables, paint, antifreeze, and household pesticides and herbicides. It is especially important that these items stay out of the landfill as they contain toxic materials that could have negative effects on the environment.
All recyclables are shipped to the lower mainland for processing. The CCRD currently ships approximately one semi-trailer load per month. The depot accepts all types of beverage containers but does not issue any deposit refunds, as all deposit containers are donated to a variety of local non-profit organizations such as the Bella Coola Food Bank.
Plans are in the works to move the depot and transfer station to the west side of the road. A new facility is being designed and will host an enhanced recycling centre and waste transfer station. For more information you can visit the CCRD’s website at www.ccrd-bc.ca/services/recycling
