Times Advocate, 1995-12-06, Page 5IT'S YOUR B1JSJT'JF'S
Times -Advocate, December 6, 1995 Page 5
•
Business reuses floral products
Brenda Burke T -A stag
CENTRALIA - A classified ad
in the back of Harrowsmith mag-
azine triggered a unique business
venture for Audrey McFalls and
her son, Darin.
in April they purchased A & C
Recycling and Outfitters, a re-
cycling franchise that began three
years ago in London and now has
a total of nine franchises in Sas-
katchewan, Manitoba and On-
tario.
The business involves col-
lecting reusable glass, wicker,
plastic and ceramic floral prod-
ucts and selling them at 20 to 30
per cent off their wholesale price.
The McFalls run the only busi-
ness of its kind in Huron, Perth
or Middlesex Counties.
The goal of A & C is to collect
and promote reuse of 50 per cent
of what would otherwise be dis-
carded floral items by providing
cost-free pick-ups at drop-off
sites such as churches, schools,
hospitals and senior homes. The
company then sells the used items
to customers such as florists, craft
enthusiasts and flea market deal-
ers.
Customers are reimbursed 20
cents per item, or for organiza-
tions and groups, a point system
is used to reimburse those who
wish to have their money put to-
wards fundraising. Depending on
the size and quality of the floral
articles, people may collect a
number of points that accumulate
and result in a twice -a -year pay-
ment from the company.
"We make sure we pay some-
body," said Audrey, adding if
customers prefer not to be paid
directly for articles, money may
be donated to charities.
The first area school introduced
to this reuse idea was McCurdy
Public School where students
used the point system to raise $15
towards their Chess Club in June.
"The kids are very enthusiastic
about it...Once the kids get in-
volved they will be our best am-
bassador," said Darin, who plans
to approach other public schools
nex,year with a special emphasis
on educating the children, whom
he feels are the advocates of re-
cycling.
"The big job," explained Darin,
"is educating because a lot of
people aren't into this...It's not
accepted in smaller towns like we
thought...lt's a throw -away so-
ciety. We've got to eliminate
that."
"When I go out and speak I'm
not always accepted positively,"
added Audrey, who claims mid-
dle-aged people generally have
the toughest time accepting re-
cycling. On the other hand, she
said the elderly and the very
young are keen to recycle. Some
older people have been.recycting
all their lives and the young are
being educated very early on.
The mother and son team has
already seen some products go
through their warehouse a second
time and in their eyes this is proof
the idea of reusing is catching on.
The business has pick-up sites in
ticks, you'd have to change your
name," explained Darin.
Most of the products the
McFalls deal with include glass
items.
"Wicker does not' move as
quick as glass," said Darin, add-
ing he often trades wicker items
for glass at the London Salvation
Army.
"We refurbish (articles) up to
new condition," he said, adding,
"We have no problem getting rid
of it. It's collecting it."
There is however, great demand
in London for their products
where they collect about 400
longing to the Recycling Associa-
tion and having previous knowl-
edge in recycling and an interest
in collecting, Audrey has a head
start in the business.
She begins her speeches by ask-
ing the audience, "Wouldn't you
like to leave a better world for
your grandchildren?' and later
adds,"Canadians are the worst
polluters in the world...Do you
want to be part of the problem or
do you want to be part of the so-
lution?"
Not only do you have to know
how to speak, sell and educate in
the recycling business, you have
Audrey and Darin McFalls in the warehouse of R&C Recyling and Outfitters, a Centralia
area busines's that promotes the reuse of floral products.
Huron,. Peth, Middlesex and Lon-
don and is working on getting
smaller surrounding communities
involved.
Although both admit user pay
systems will help people to re-
cycle more, they believe society
is going through a gradual phase
of rejecting, tolerating, then even-
tually accepting recycling.
The word 'outfitters' was added
to the business name so owners
wouldn't be restricted to solely
dealing with floral products. A &
C is experiencing changes that
may expand its list of reusable
materials.
"If you didn't have...'Outtitters'
in there, every time you add ar-
pieces per week. Some com-
munities even have collection
competitions.
"Our collection part of it - We
really have a handle on it now,"
added Audrey, explaining how
she and Darin began in the busi-
ness by looking for treasures at
garage sales.
Response has been especially
favorable from churches, partly
due to the willingness of the busi-
ness to collect funeral flower
products.
Darin, also a farmer. works
part-time at the job while his
mother works full-time engaging
in talks on recycling as well as
sorting and selling products. Be -
to like sorting.
"It's a different frame of mind
being a recycler," said Darin, who
added people may also rent floral
articles for weddings and other
occasions, saving up to 50 per
cent over purchased items.
The McFalls have many ideas
for the future, which they see as
full of exciting changes for their
business. As well as the possibil-
ity�of new items being added to
their reusable list of articles, they
may hire other companys' ser-
vices such as drivers for de-
liveries and pick-ups.
"Once you get into recycling
it's just a massive, massive gold
mine out there," said Darin.
Safe and Healthy Communities seminar
GUELPH - At the recent Safe
and Healthy Communities seminar
in Guelph, organized by the Feder-
ated Women's Institutes of Onta-
rio, several common themes
emerged from the small group dis-
cussions. They included a commu-
nity with no police, no politicians
and no day care facilities. Young
and old interacted in a chemical
and pollution free neighborhood.
Another common theme was the
lack of private vehicles, with habi-
tants either walking or using pub-
lic transportation to get around.
Dr. Trevor Hancock, a world re-
nowned puhlic health consultant
on sustainable communities, led
the 61 participants through the pro-
cess of envisioning their dreams
for their communities.
Anne Berhardt, coordinator of
Teen Esteem: The Lunch Bunch,
explained this program. It is imple-
mented by professional women
during their lunch breaks to help
girls in Grades 6-8 develop their
self-esteem and to increase their
knowledge of career opportunities.
Ms. Bernhardt noted that there are
over 70(X) job opportunities,, with
about 30,(XX) different names, but
girls identify with only 26 well-
known possibilities.
The Executive Director of the
Waterloo -Wellington John Howard
Society, John Bilton, suggested
changes which could cut down the
incidence of crime in our society.
.Some of these changes include en-
dorsing positive television pro-
gramming, promoting curricula on
life skills and encouraging parental
involvement in schools. He also
suggested the integration of public
and private housing, since studies
show that concentrated public
housing may focus people with
problems in small areas.
Seminar participants will be re-
turning to their communities across
Ontario to encourage community
development by fostering partner-
ships, creating networks and build-
ing community spirit.
Participants and organizers wish
to express their appreciation to the
Ontario Agricultural Training Insti-
tute for its support for the program.
Did You Know''
Where the funds raised by the
heart and stroke foundation of On-
tario goes: Research 61 per cent.
Fund raising 15 per sent: Health
promotion 11 per cent: Administra-•
tion nine per cent: Surplus four per
cent. this is for a three year aver-
age.
Gainer Kineale
235-2420, 2311.8484
• GIC rotes tuliftlet to change. Short term
rotes available. Segregarrd Ands rater
reflect *Waal pelt paibrwancs. Future
rentrns *II vary.
s
GIC I RSP
1Yr. -6.00%
3 Yr. 6.25%
5 yr. - 6.75%
Segregated Fundy
1YR. •15.28%
5 YR. - 11.22
"rig
i -
=
AMEN
$
1996 FINANCIAL PLANNER
DEC. 27,
1995
Changing times are increasing our needs for financial advice, and portfolios. We at the Exeter Times Advoct e ' e
bringing you a selection of articles and advertisements to help you plan for your future.
AN ADVERTISEMENT IN 'THIS EDITION WILL PUT YOUR BUSINESS IN FRONT OF
THOUSANDS OF OTENTIA IN VESTORS CAtL 23M331 OR FAX 23O766 Arm"
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•
1"
1996 Golf Privilege
Cards available
STRATFORD - How can a per-
son shoot a great round of golf on
twelve beautiful greens throughout
Huron and Perth Counties, and at
the very same time help The Lung
Association? The Lung Associa-
tion, Huron -Perth Counties wishes
to announce the availability of its
1996 Golf Privilege Card. This
card may be purchased for only
$40. from The Lung Association,
Jenny Trout Centre, Suite 121,
Erie St. It will entitle the purchaser
to receive savings at each of the
twelve participating courses
throughout Huron and Perth
Counties. These savings range
from 2 to 1 specials to a free round
of golf!
Participating courses are Bay-
view Golf Club, Bluewater Golf
Club, Goderich Sunset Golf and
Sports Centre, Ironwood Golf
Club, Listowel Golf Club, Mait-
land Country Club, Mitchell Golf
and Country Club, River Valley
Golf and Country Club, Seaforth
Golf and Country Club, St. Marys
Golf and Country Club, Stratford
Municipal Golf Course, and the
Wingham Golf and Curling Club.
Golf Privilege Cards are. valid
throughout 1996 and make excel-
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retirement, and other occasions. So
plan now to sharpen your golf
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The Lung Association's smoking
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rHARRY DOUGHERTY C�
Income Tax & Accounting Service
Farm & Small Income Tax
Business Preparation
• Financial • Personal
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• Payroll *Small Business
• Bookkeeping
85 Riverside Di, Exeter
Ont. 519-235-2156 i
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Details Call 472-3298
Notice is hereby given of the
ANNUAL
MEETING
OF MEMBERS
in the
Clinton Town Hall Auditorium
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
AT 8:00 P.M.
for the purpose of receiving Reports and Financial Statements for
the year ending September 30. 1995, electing Directors and Credit
Committee officers. appointing Auditors and Scrutineers; for the
purpose of amending Bylaws and of transacting all other business of
an Annual Meeting. Lunch will follow the meeting. Door Prizes to be
drawn.
Dated at Clinton this 15th day of November, 1995.
Marjorie Dobson
Secretary
•• Copies of the complete amending Bylaws are available at the
office and will not be available at the Annual Meeting.
CLINTON COMMUNITY
CREDIT UNION
48 Ontario Street 118 Main St. North
Clinton 482-3467 Exeter 235-0640
alBUSINESS 1.
DIRECTORY
AUCTIONEERS
Filson & Robson
35 Years Experience of
Selling or Appraisals
Call or fax 519- 666-0633
for yours
Mobile office, immediate
payment, 3 auctioneers
we pick up and sell com-
plete or partial household
effects
Specializing In real estate
and general sales
• i
AUCTIONEER
KEVIN
McARTER
"Certified Auctioneer"
Residential, Agricultural
Southwestern Ontario
School of Auctioneering
Graduate 1988
Serving Exeter area
235-3963
Bob Heywood,
Ucensed Auctioneer
Serving Exeter area for 10 years
Large Auction Centre
at 586 Main St. S.
We will consign anything you want
to sell or we will buy outright for
cash. Complete auction Service
Contact Bob
Res. 235-0874,
Bus. 235-4469 ,
REPAIRS
Sewing Machine
Repairs
to all makes
. Free estimates
90 Day Warranty
Experienced since 1952
Sew and Save
Centre Ltd.
149 Downie St., Stratford
Phone 271-9660