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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-11-21, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990. Walton landfill ends second year of recycling The Councils of the Township of Grey and McKillop, along with a number of other municipalities across the province have officially declared the week of November 19 to the 25 as “Recycling Week’’. The recycling program at the Walton Landfill Site has just com­ pleted its second year of operations with very encouraging results. Almost 92 tons of residential recyclable material has been diver­ ted from the landfill site and this represents an approximate savings of three and a half months of landfill space in two years, or a 15 per cent savings. A 12 to 15 per cent reduction in residential waste is considered successful in the recycling industry. In addition to the residential waste being diverted, approximate­ ly 160 tons of scrap metal is removed from the landfill site annually by Zubick Scrap Metals of London. A separate area for scrap steel is located at the landfill site and users of the site are strongly encouraged to separate scrap me­ tal. The recycling program at the Walton Landfill Site has however not been without its problems, problems which have faced the entire recycling industry. The 50 cubic yard recycling bin was ini­ tially designed with three compart­ ments to hold tin, glass and newspaper. However, the demand for clear glass has resulted in landfill employees colour sorting glass into gravity bins at the site. In late 1989, there was such an oversupply of mixed glass that it was very difficult to ship it, but there was still a demand for clear glass. The glass recycling industry was also very specific about con- taminents in the glass and it made the shipping of glass very risky because of possible rejection. How­ ever, these problems appear to have been resolved as glass is now being shipped from the site in lots of either glass or mixed coloured glass without any problems. The recycling of newsprint has also been very difficult lately with the recent strike at the Quebec and Ontario Paper Co. mill in Thorold, Ontario. This mill is the only mill in Ontario that handles used news­ print and this has resulted in a temporary surplus of newsprint. However, more mills with de-ink- ing facilities are expected to be on stream shortly and it is expected that the recycling of newspapers will be come much more economi­ cally viable. However, the overall success of recycling cannot be overlooked. It is difficult to determine in quanti­ tive terms the value of landfill space that has been saved, but tipping fees in excess of $100/ tonne in the Toronto area may be a good start. Both Councils are very suppor­ tive of the concept of recycling and will continue to look at ways to improve its operation. In the mean­ time, residents in Grey and McKil­ lop Townships are being asked to continue to observe the criteria for recyclable materials and to separ­ ate their recyclables as much as possible, especially glass recycl­ ables. Either the attendant at the recycling bind, or if you have garbage pick-up, a private contrac­ tor, must sort the glass into clear and coloured lots and their job is made so much easier if the glass is properly separated and unbroken. Why not recycle a little bit more, and make use of extra cardboard boxes, plastic pails, etc. to colour sort your glass and keep your recyclables separate. Residents are also asked to flatten their metal cans as much as possible. Resi­ dents with scrap metal are also encouraged to use the scrap metal pile. Finally, both Councils are also of the opinion that recycling has heightened the general public’s awareness of the need to recycle - that is if you’re not recycling, then why not? Perhaps this attitude will result in the new provincial govern­ ment looking at alternative ways to compliment the reduction of waste, such as deposits on soft-drink containers, etc. WALTON LANDFILL SITE RECYCLING PROGRAM A TWO-YEAR SUMMARY The following quantities of materials have been removed from the Walton Landfill Site during the first two years of recycling. 37.41 tons of newspaper 22.70 tons of tin cans 31.85 tons of glass bottles & jars Blyth Council briefs Council seeks new Pride grant Service clubs and groups in the village of Blyth are being approach­ ed about projects they might be considering that might be included in a new Pride program grant for the village. Rebekah Lodge holds meeting The regular meeting of Morning Star Rebekah Lodge was held on Tuesday, Nov. 13 with Noble Grand Sister Mary Lowe presiding. At this meeting there were visitors from Forrest, Seaforth and Goderich. The members of Morn­ ing Star Lodge and sisters of other Lodges were pleased to meet Sis. Pat Frayne, vice-president of the Rebekah Assembly of Ontario as she paid her official visit to the District. Plans were made to send repre­ sentatives to a meeting at Clinton Lodge Hall Friday, Nov. 16 to plan for the annual speak-off in March 91. The winner of this will enjoy a trip to New York and be part of the U.N. Pilgrimage for Youth sponsor­ ed by the l.O.O.F. and Rebekah Lodges of Ontario. Plans were made to enter a float in the Santa Claus parade in Brussels, December 1. St. John’s Anglican draw winners St. John’s Anglican Church draw for a quilt was won by Elaine Allen, London. The Gingerbread House, donated by Jane Draper, was won by Bev Palmer, Brussels. A Doll donated by Jane Draper, was won by Becky Corrigan, Bluevale. Village council, Wednesday night approved the idea of applying for the grant for the 1992, 1993, 1994 period, after the current Pride program runs out. Because the application must be put together soon councillors agreed to split up the list of groups and approach them in person. Reeve Albert Wasson said that the fact the village was trying to co-ordinate the spending of various groups and of the various mini­ stries to make the money work the best had helped it win grants in the past. Meanwhile councillors engaged in a little dreaming of what the money could be used for. Originally part of the current project’s money was to have gone to improving main street when Highway 4 is reconstructed but the construction was delayed beyond the limit of the grant so it might be included in a new grant. There is also the Morris St. rebuilding project plus sidewalk and street light improvements, all of which could quickly gobble up the $200,000 grant. One suggestion was to try to spruce up the riverfront area along the railway tracks and there was even a suggestion to rehabilitate the old railway water tower east of main street on the raillands.***** Councillors are still troubled with what to do about blocked private drains. Often residents with block­ ed cellar drains come to the village for help but it has been pointed out that it’s not really the village’s business to get involved and it could get into trouble for trespass­ ing on other people’s property. Reeve Wasson said the village has to make a decision each time someone asks for help as to whether it should get involved and whether the drain is strictly a private one or if it is an ancient municipal drain. Once the mapping of village drains is completed such decisions may be easier, the Reeve said but “in the meantime we’re going to have to feel our way along.”***** Council approved the village sponsoring advertising in the 1990 Stratford Festival Visitor’s Guide going to 250,000 visitors to the area and approved buying a member­ ship in the Southwestern Ontario Travel Association, which circu­ lates village tourist information, at a cost of $393.23.***** Councillors were told a map showing all street lighting in the village and where improvements could be made will soon be presented to council. The map is being made by Gus Boussey of Clinton who has been working for some time on the study. Mrs. Grubb said there apparently won’t be a need for a large number of additional lights, just some redis­ tribution to make better use of the lights that are there. Councillors have also been looking at the possibility of replacing current high-energy, high-maintenance lights with new high pressure sodium lights that require far less power and far less maintenance. Help Spread The Word: LITERACY To dona**, or for more information contact: The CODE Literacy Foundation 321 Chapel St. Ottawa, .r-r-i. Ontario KIN 7Z2 (Wl 16131232-3569 RECYCLING WEEK PROCLAMATION We, Leona Armstrong and Marie Hicknell, Reeves of the Corporations of the Township of Grey and Township of McKillop respectively, hereby declare the week of November 19th to 25th as Recycling Week. Leona Armstrong Reeve TownshipofGrey Marie Hicknell Reeve TownshipofMcKillop A small quantity of plastic soft drink bottles [PET] have also been recycled. The above represents 91.96 tons of residential waste material that has been diverted from the landfill and represents a savings of approximately 508 cubic yards of landfill space. In two short years, your recycling efforts have extended the life of the landfill site by 31/2 months which represents a 15% savings in landfill space over the 2 years. In addition to the above noted quantities of residential waste material, over 160 tons of scrap metal [scrap steel, wire, etc.] was removed from the landfill site in 1990. The Councils of the Townships of Grey and McKillop congratulate their residents on their recycling efforts and encourage the continued participation in the recycling program. The future is R’s - continue to reduce, reuse and recycle. Townships of Grey & McKillop 1] NOTICE WALTON LANDFILL SITE RECYCLING PROGRAM A compartment bin for recyclable materials is stationed at the Walton Landfill Site. Recyclable materials will be accepted as follows: NEWSPAPER:Newsprint and flyers that are made out of newsprint. Please bundle or place in boxes or bags. No magazines, catalogues, telephone books, glossy flyers, envelopes, fine paper, etc. 2) 31 GLASS: METAL CANS: PLASTIC SOFT Household bottles and jars, preferably without the lids and preferably colour sorted into clear glass and coloured glass. Must be rinsed or washed and the labels may be left on. No window panes, light bulbs, china, ceramics, etc. Glass must also be in a recognizable form i.e. not crushed. Food cans must be rinsed out, pop acceptable as is. Please flatten as possible. 4] DRINK CONTAINERS:Remove the lids and flatten if cans are much as possible. BE A GOOD SORT - CONTINUE TO RECYCLE TOWNSHIPS OF GREY AND MCKILLOP If you have any questions, please ask the attendant on duty or contact your municipal office. NOTE: Any resident that did not receive a blue box when they were initially distributed in 1989, please contact your municipal office.