Spread awareness about different types of recycling

$1,000 to Free Geek Vancouver

They take computer parts free of charge [except CRT monitors $10] and

1) reuse them

2) rebuild them

3) and give away for free

in exchange for 24 hours of your volunteer time.

Non-profits in the GVRD er, Metro Vancouver area can apply to get a free computer.

Paper and drink container recycling in the office is commonplace now. But what about plastic and food recycling?

Regarding food composting, I read this article about compost bins for the office, but where exactly do I get them?

Update: based on the first comment to this post, looks like the "no more paper statements" option will soon become a reality!
 

Since when are paper statements mandatory? Last year, I made multiple phone requests to Citizens Bank (my favourite bank) to stop sending me paper statements... every time they assured me it was going to be done. But I kept receiving paper statements.

OK, first of all, I know that to better the environment, we shouldn't even be eating meat. But let's say I'm holding a BBQ / picnic. There's going to be grilling, there's going to be a potluck of side dishes and beverages. How do I respect the environment!?!? Cups, plates, napkins, forks, knives, heck even balloons... please share your tips!

I mean, sure I could bring the plates and cutlery that I use in my house, but is there a better way?

I'm sorry that my last post also bashed TELUS a bit. I don't have a personal vendetta against TELUS -- it's just that they keep doing things that I feel I need to talk about.

So, tree planting... http://promotions.telusmobility.com/tree/

This is certainly a perfect example of opportunistic environmentalism. I guess you can't really bash this since they're technically doing some good.

I found this on Vancouver Craigslist

Earth Day coming up on Saturday…. Boy are they in for a surprise with the amount of stuff that will show up.

Metropolis at Metrotown

Got Old Electronics? Anyone with old computers, printers and electronics is encouraged to drop by Metropolis at Metrotown’s Atrium Court between April 16 -22. Metropolis at Metrotown will recycle all electronics for free!

Recently, we conducted a poll here on ChangeEverything.ca where we asked you about the idea of mandatory recycling in our region. 91% of people who responded voted, "yes" to the idea of implementing mandatory recycling (you can see the poll and even vote if you have not yet by clicking here) I thought that the City would be interested in these results so I sent an email to the mayors office. Here is what I got back (published with permission)

As mentioned previously, I feel guilty taking home food in styrofoam containers.

So... went to Stanley Restaurant in Delta (Vietnamese food), ordered some teriyaki chicken on rice (I don't like pho) to go and produced a glass bowl for the order. Bowl was taken, filled with food, given back without question.

Will you be laughed at for keeping tupperware (plastic containers) in your car or your bag for when you go out to eat with friends?

Well, maybe it's worth the social hit.  The guilt that I feel when I take home food in a styrofoam container is really starting to get to me.  While handing a restaurant a plastic container for take-out orders might not be feasible, it really isn't too far-fetched to bring one for leftovers.

Hi,

All on one page: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/BurnabyFreecycle/links

Includes, again all on one page, a link to many GVRD member city's waste disposal information web pages.

GVRD Municipal Waste and Recycling information

Regards,

After making the pledge to spread awareness about different types of recycling, I made some progress by making a post on my blog. I've pasted it below:

So, batteries. Non-rechargeable batteries from your household items can (and should) be recycled! The same goes for rechargeable batteries that have lost their power after multiple charges (such as lithium, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH) from things such as cordless phones. Just keep an ongoing collection and drop it off once in a while. Here are some drop spots or sites to find drop spots in the Vancouver / Lower Mainland area.