As we are moving into warmer weather, we wanted to remind everyone again that we have added a new recycling stream last month and we are now collecting cigarette waste which we will ship to the recycler TERRACYCLE. There the cigarette waste is cleaned and separated by material type. The materials are then recycled into raw formats that manufacturers use to make new products. The ash and tobacco are separated out and composted in a specialized process. All parts of extinguished cigarettes, cigarette filters, partial cigarettes, cigar stubs, rolling papers, and ash can be recycled in this program.
This program works very well together with our Pocket Ashtray program. These Pocket Ashtrays are available at the Recycling Depot, the Co-Op Gas Bar, and Ford Cove for free or a small donation (we recommend $2.00). Please note that” It is VERY IMPORTANT that everyone understands the airtight seal, otherwise people won’t want an ashtray in their pocket. A Pocket Ashtray is a reusable, flexible, airtight odourless pouch made of recycled materials that extinguishes smokables. Just drop in a lit butt, and snap shut. It will put the smoke out and will keep the ash and nasty smell contained. “The contents can then be brought to the Recycling Depot for recycling.
We want to again thank Alsoon Brine who brought this recycling project to Hornby, and we appreciate all the hours she has donated to the cause in doing so.
Our Free Store volunteers are looking for someone to help with the removal and delivery of overstock Free Store items on a monthly basis. If you have room in your vehicle to bring over a load of clothing to the thrift store in Courtenay at 1125 McKenzie Avenue the next time you are on a town trip, it would be greatly appreciated. See our Free Store volunteers the next time you are up on Depot hill if you can be of any assistance.
A reminder again that we are now accepting even more materials in our recycling streams. In addition to the regular Recyclable Packaging, you can now drop off your Single Use Products & Packaging-Like Products at your Hornby Island Recycling Depot. These are items such as paper plates, paper cups, plastic straws, plastic utensils, party décor, dental floss cases, plastic hangers, and many other items. To view an exact list of everything that has been added, you can visit www.recyclebc.ca/newitems and check it out.
Unfortunately, the commercial sector has been left out of the province’s recycling program and there seems to be no low-cost recycling solutions available to businesses in the Comox Valley. We have communicated with the CVRD about these Hornby Island business’ concerns and have been told that both Comox and Courtenay are in the very similar situations. Furthermore, RecycleBC has been sending undercover inspectors to collection depots in British Columbia to report any “commercial” recycling that is finding its way into the residential stream and has issued warnings to depot operators. We encourage all business operators who feel like they have been left out of BC’s Recycling program to share their concerns with their political representatives.
Our composters have arrived. Please note the correction for our price increase for our composters. Instead of the new price being $95.00, as stated in last month’s article, due to taxes and shipping cost the actual new price is $115.00 for the Earth Machine composters.
Finally we want to thank all our volunteers in the Free Store, in the gardens, and at the recycling committee, and for all the time that you have been donating over the years.
……See you all up on depot hill.
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