Residents asked to reduce waste, reuse items

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The what, when, where and why of recycling were explored during a presentation at the Plaster Rock Public School Library on Thursday, April 24. The program was held to highlight Earth Day observed on April 22 and it encouraged everyone to do their part to preserve the planet.

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Denise Brown of the Valley Solid Waste Commission gave a presentation on recycling in the region but was careful to point out that isn't the only way to take action.

"It's also about reducing, not just recycling," Brown noted. "Look at what you are buying and reuse whenever possible."

Brown reviewed what can be deposited in the recycling bins located on Girouard Street in Plaster Rock. Boxboard, such as cereal and tissue boxes, plastic goods marked with one, two, four or five inside the triangle, tin and steel cans, newsprint and paper, including flyers, can be deposited.

One resident questioned why glass pop and juice bottles can be returned through the province's refundable beverage container program but glass isn't accepted at the recycling bins. Brown noted Valley Solid Waste doesn't have a market for the glass.

While most recyclers observe the rules of depositing only clean, acceptable materials in the bins, Brown notes the receptacles do yield some undesirable objects.

"We've had lots of radios and big plastic toys," Brown said, adding if someone fails to rinse their dirty food cans, it leads to a big stink during summer months.

On a more encouraging note, Brown said the amount of items recycled has increased every year. In 2002, there were 205,380 kg while in 2007, there were 324,480 kg.

"We'd still like to see more," Brown observed.

Household hazardous waste collection days continue to be held in Plaster Rock and Perth-Andover and provide a place for people to dispose of everything from old paint to fluorescent lights. Basically, Brown said if containers are marked flammable, explosive, corrosive, or toxic, it belongs at the hazardous waste collection site. While the program is valuable, it isn't cheap.

"It cost $38,000 to do five sites last year," Brown said.

Local residents asked what they should do with electronic waste like old computers. Brown said there was one location in Edmundston that was accepting them but she wasn't sure it is still in existence.

"We do need a program to address that," she said.

Composting is also an important part of the waste management system and Brown encouraged local residents to give it a try. Garden waste, grass clippings, vegetable and fruit peels, egg shells, coffee grinds along with filters, tea bags and numerous other items will break down into nutrient-rich material that can be added to flowerbeds and vegetable plots. The amount of waste going to landfills can be substantially reduced by composting at home, Brown added, and it helps to reduce greenhouse gases generated at landfills.

Sweatshirts, travel mugs and recycling bins were given away in a draw at the end of the program.