NEWS ARCHIVES

March 16, 2007

Turn Your Trash Into Treasure:
Freecycle, Recycle, Deposit and Return

There are countless ways to reduce the amount of waste in Ottawa’s landfills and I encourage you to take advantage of some of the unique programs available.

Ottawa Freecycle is an excellent option for people looking to share their unwanted items with people in the community. This program has seen great success as many people have given away and received a number of used items including appliances, sporting goods, computer products and furniture. To get involved please visit http://ottawa.freecyclecanada.org/. There is also a Kanata chapter of Freecycle and for more information please visit http://www.kanatafreecycle.com/.

The Take it Back Program is also in place to ensure that several household items are reused and recycled. There are over 500 Ottawa retailers who participate and take back a number of items that are not picked up at the curb including reusable household goods, gardening supplies and automotive materials. For more information on the City’s Take it Back Program please visit http://app01.ottawa.ca/takeitback/Welcome.do?lang=en

It is still vastly important to continue placing any other plastic bottles, jars, tubs, lids, glass bottles, jugs, milk and drink cartons, juice containers and food and drink jars in your Blue Box for recycling. Also, please do take the time to return your plastic bags to Loeb to be recycled.

The Ontario Deposit Return Program recently launched on Feb. 5, 2007 and has seen tremendous success since its inception.

This program makes it incredibly easy for you to get involved in helping to improve our environment. There are countless benefits to taking the one, small step of returning your LCBO containers.

Currently all LCBO containers over 100 ml have a deposit when you purchase them and can be returned to The Beer Store for a refund. I encourage you to participate by returning all glass bottles, Tetra Pak containers, bag-in-box, plastic bottles, aluminum and steel containers.

Upon returning these items, you will be refunded your deposit of 10 cents for containers less than or equal to 630 ml and aluminum and steel containers less than or equal to 1L. Containers over 630 ml and aluminum and steel containers over 1 L have a deposit and refund of 20 cents.

Not only does this save all of us money in the future but it is also anticipated that the Ontario Deposit Return Program will keep an estimated 80 million alcohol bottles, cans and containers out of Ontario landfills. For further information on this program please visit www.bagitback.ca or my website at www.shadqadri.com.

The Ontario Deposit Return Program also creates space in your Blue Box and allows the City to further expand our recycling program.

I am confident that as these programs gain momentum we will see great results in every community across Ottawa. I encourage you to tell your friends, family and neighbours about some of these programs and remember that we all play an important role in preserving and improving our environment.

 
Get your Ottawa Cycling Map

With spring just around the corner many people are looking forward to bringing their bikes out of winter storage and enjoying the warmer weather.

The City of Ottawa, in conjunction with the TravelWise program, has made it easier for cycling fans to explore the many beautiful bike paths Ottawa has to offer.

The Ottawa Cycling Map will show you suggested routes, off-roadway pathways and streets with existing bike lanes and wide shoulders. In addition to this the map includes safety tips, the Trans Canada Trail route, existing OC Transpo stations and the National Capital Pathway.

The Ottawa Cycling Map is available for $2 at several locations in Ottawa including the Kanata Client Service Centre, located at 580 Terry Fox Dr., and Kundstadt Sports, located at 462 Hazeldean Rd.

For more information on the TravelWise program please visit www.ottawa.ca/travelwise.

 
Join the Fun in Stittsville

Stittsville United Church, located at 6255 Fernbank Rd., is hosting a Goods, Services and Talent Auction next month and it is sure to be a great time.

The event will kick off at 7 p.m. on April 20 and includes dessert and a live and silent auction. There are several unique auction items including gardening services, painting and a variety of goods and gift certificates.

Currently organizers are seeking donations and if you would like more information please contact Marion Gullock by email at marion.gullock@sympatico.ca or by phone at 613-836-5254.

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