Canada recycles, though not nearly enough
Most of us do think a lot about the environment these days in Canada, and many act on changing things in various ways. The manufacturers and companies who we feature in Recycling Product News are a great example of what is being done on a larger, commercial scale. Residential recycling activities by the average citizen is another story. Personally, I would go so far as to say that the state of the environment is the single most important issue facing the globe today. And I know many who agree with that statement. Yet, in Canada, it is not uncommon to hear things like: “Canadians, per capita, are some of the biggest generators of waste on earth.” This is something we all need to change, and recycling every single thing we can is a start.
The statistics on recycling and the generation of solid waste in this country are alarming. According to recent information from Statistics Canada in an annually produced government report entitled: Human Activity and the Environment, “Canadian households continue to generate more solid waste, and the majority of it ends up in landfill sites.” The report goes on to say, “Each Canadian generated about 383 kilograms of solid waste (equivalent to 30 green garbage bags) on average in 2002, of which about one fifth (an estimated 2.5 million tonnes) was recycled or otherwise diverted – a 17 percent increase from 2000. In 2002, the residential component of Canada’s waste was estimated at over 12 million tonnes, a 6.8 percent increase from 2000.” According to the report “waste management services cost municipal governments more than $1.5 billion in 2002. More than 40 percent of this money was spent collecting waste and recyclable material, 25 percent was spent operating disposal facilities, and 10 percent went to running recycling and composting programs.” The report shows that there is some growth on the recycling front, and it appears to be costing a great deal but still, things are moving along slowly. Governments in North America are definitely part of the problem we face. Our leaders need to put in a lot more effort, change policies and help make recycling more profitable. Money makes the world go around, and recycling is no different.
The fact that our solid waste generation is actually increasing shows how important it is to change our ways. Fundamental change is needed in the way we think, consume and live our lives. We need to put in more effort day to day, and change our “easy-come, easy-throw” lifestyle. It is more challenging than it sounds of course, to really change, but we can do it. Eventually.
Case in point. I was at a local farmer’s market recently in Campbell River, B.C. Farmer’s markets are a real trend these days and I sincerely hope they last. They promote local economy, and sometimes they provide a great opportunity for local groups and active citizens to educate the community. One of the booths at our farmer’s market was put up by the local municipal representatives, and had a big display about great products like rain barrels and low-flow toilets, and tips on using water more wisely. I picked up one great tip that I had just never thought of — “wash your car on the lawn,” they suggested. I only wash my car once or twice a month these days so it was extremely dirty. And I very rarely sprinkle my lawn as I feel green grass is a luxury I can do without in the summer. So I washed my car on the lawn, and I effectively made use of the water that otherwise would have been wasted. Simple. It just took a little extra effort, and for someone to put the idea out there where I could see it. Sometimes, this is how easy it can be for the average citizen to recycle and decrease their environmental footprint. It all helps. Little by little.
The statistics on recycling and the generation of solid waste in this country are alarming. According to recent information from Statistics Canada in an annually produced government report entitled: Human Activity and the Environment, “Canadian households continue to generate more solid waste, and the majority of it ends up in landfill sites.” The report goes on to say, “Each Canadian generated about 383 kilograms of solid waste (equivalent to 30 green garbage bags) on average in 2002, of which about one fifth (an estimated 2.5 million tonnes) was recycled or otherwise diverted – a 17 percent increase from 2000. In 2002, the residential component of Canada’s waste was estimated at over 12 million tonnes, a 6.8 percent increase from 2000.” According to the report “waste management services cost municipal governments more than $1.5 billion in 2002. More than 40 percent of this money was spent collecting waste and recyclable material, 25 percent was spent operating disposal facilities, and 10 percent went to running recycling and composting programs.” The report shows that there is some growth on the recycling front, and it appears to be costing a great deal but still, things are moving along slowly. Governments in North America are definitely part of the problem we face. Our leaders need to put in a lot more effort, change policies and help make recycling more profitable. Money makes the world go around, and recycling is no different.
The fact that our solid waste generation is actually increasing shows how important it is to change our ways. Fundamental change is needed in the way we think, consume and live our lives. We need to put in more effort day to day, and change our “easy-come, easy-throw” lifestyle. It is more challenging than it sounds of course, to really change, but we can do it. Eventually.
Case in point. I was at a local farmer’s market recently in Campbell River, B.C. Farmer’s markets are a real trend these days and I sincerely hope they last. They promote local economy, and sometimes they provide a great opportunity for local groups and active citizens to educate the community. One of the booths at our farmer’s market was put up by the local municipal representatives, and had a big display about great products like rain barrels and low-flow toilets, and tips on using water more wisely. I picked up one great tip that I had just never thought of — “wash your car on the lawn,” they suggested. I only wash my car once or twice a month these days so it was extremely dirty. And I very rarely sprinkle my lawn as I feel green grass is a luxury I can do without in the summer. So I washed my car on the lawn, and I effectively made use of the water that otherwise would have been wasted. Simple. It just took a little extra effort, and for someone to put the idea out there where I could see it. Sometimes, this is how easy it can be for the average citizen to recycle and decrease their environmental footprint. It all helps. Little by little.