One of the better perspectives I have read on the negotiations is from Vancouver urban planner Stephen Rees who reminds us that we should not wait for politicians to make changes.  Climate leadership can come from cities; after all, 85% of Canada’s population lives in a city.  This was one of the points I was hoping to make with this panel discussion.  If you live in Vancouver, the best action you can take is to encourage and support the commitment that Vancouver has made to be the greenest city in the world.  And if you live in some other city, then let them know what Vancouver is doing and challenge your mayor and council to take us on.  As Andrea Reimer said in the panel discussion: “we’d be happy to get the pants beat off us if somebody was trying to be even greener.”

>> Click here to watch the 45 minute panel discussion

11am – 5pm
Saturday, December 12
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch Promenade
(350 West Georgia St – map)

Join us at the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch for a full day of climate action including a panel discussion, a signature and photo wall, music, kids programming, speakers, theatre, a candle-light vigil, and more.

In Copenhagen, at the site of the negotiations, TckTckTck partners will represent this show of global solidarity using the photos, videos and pledges sent in from around the planet at a special vigil happening just outside the summit building.

Sign up for the event on Facebook or on Avaaz.org.  Click here for other events being planned outside of Vancouver and around the world.  Tell your friends.  Let’s show Harper we care about the climate – and he should too!

Other ways to take action this week

Can’t make it to the library on Saturday?  No problem.  Watch the events live online.

If you are a member of a faith group, please consider adding your name to the Joint Faith Leaders Declaration on Climate Change.

Send a message to your MP.

Join one of the many Fasts for Courage in Copenhagen being planned around the Lower  Mainland.

Here is the interview

11 am: Cambie Street Bridge opens to public
12:30: Banner drop and Parade to Science World via Pacific Blvd
2 pm: Freem music, performance, art, action and more for the whole family at Science World.
7 pm: Inspirational speakers at Christ Church Cathedral.

We need your help making this day a huge success!

Get involved here: http://www.bridgecoolplanet.ca/en/get_involved.php

Volunteer orientations, 6-7pm, every Monday and Thursday night
at the Wilderness Committee office – 341 Water Street (4th floor)

We need to build a movement! If we are going to achieve the scale of changes needed to stop global warming, everyone is going to have to get involved.  Please encourage your organization, business, church, cultural group and sports team to take part in this day.  Invite your friends, colleagues, neighbours and grandparents too.

• Print out our poster and flyer and put them in your office, hockey rink, knitting club and give one to everyone you meet.  http://www.bridgecoolplanet.ca/en/download.php
• Email everyone you know who has a website and ask them to add a link to us.  Web banners can also be found on our downloads page.
• Ask your local MP, MLA and City Councilor to come out to the event.

Twitter: @b2cp
Facebook
www.BridgeCoolPlanet.ca

In response to declining revenues in the first quarter of 2009, Google has “imposed severe cost controls and slashed expenses”.  These actions are praised as mature and rational.  The very next paragraph then tells us that the clearest sign of change is a reduction in Google’s workforce.  The implication is that reducing the workforce is mature and rational.  Of course, we are in a recession and “no company is recession-proof”.

But hang on, Google isn’t losing money, their rate of growth has simply declined; they are still growing and still making gads of money, netting $1.4 billion in the first three months of this year to be exact.  What’s more, they have roughly $28 billion in cash and other liquid assets and negligible debt.  They are in great shape!

I will grant you that the layoffs were modest but my point is about the underlying ethos at play here: that it is mature and rational to lay people off during a recession, no matter what.  Google can afford those 58 jobs – they cut them because that is what is expected of a mature and rational company.  But in a climate where savings are at an all time low, debt at an all time high and people more vulnerable than ever, the number one priority ought to be maximum employment.  To me, these praiseworthy measures are reactionary and irrational.

Nearer the end of the article an analyst quotes: “Clearly the upside came from severe cost controls.” Clearly continued revenue growth and a hoard of cash are no longer considered upsides – more and more and more is the only goal.

The Act also requires that all of BC’s public sector organizations be carbon neutral by 2010 – this includes school districts, post-secondary institutions, and hospitals.  Specifically: by the end of 2010, all public sector organizations must have greenhouse gas auditing systems in place and must purchase carbon offsets for their emissions.  In addition, it is expected that public sector organizations will find ways to reduce their total emissions over time.

“I think the offset obligation is definitely something universities have to deal with but it’s not going to be the biggest challenge. I think the biggest challenge is going to be where they try to push their emissions down over time.  We are going to want to keep seeing reductions down the road.”  – Government respondent

This new policy direction will have profound impacts on how colleges and universities operate.

This study was undertaken to find out how post secondary institutions were responding: what actions they have taken and what challenges they are facing.

The primary focus for implementing the Act is on energy management because this represents the largest opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; but we must remember that climate change is not just about more efficient light bulbs and fewer parking lots, it is about breaking down traditional barriers and disciplinary thinking, it is about new ways of relating to the environment and each other and about reassessing what we value.  Catalyzing these essential cultural changes is where post secondary can make the largest contribution since it is here that each new generation of leaders are trained.  BC’s colleges and universities recognize that they play a critical role in this process and they are all committed to climate action.

Carbon neutrality is not the ultimate goal, but it is a first step which has the capacity to transform higher education in British Columbia which will in turn have profound cultural effects.  Ultimately, this is a grand experiment and people are watching.  What we do here will have an impact globally.

This is a project of the BC Working Group on Sustainability Education, also known as WalkingtheTalk.bc.ca.  Many thank-yous to Janet Moore, professor at the SFU Centre for Dialogue and the driving force behind Walking the Talk, for giving this project life.

Click here to read the full report.

How can we help government become more open and responsive?

How do we as citizens organize to get better outcomes ourselves?

These questions form the basis of a conference called Vancouver ChangeCamp happening on June 20.  A few weeks ago I sat down with Reilly Yeo and Steve Williams, two of the organizers, to talk about the event and public engagement more generally.  I begin this episode with a short reflection on the recent STV referendum because, after all, voting is the predominant form of citizen engagement.

Listen to the interview

—–
Credits: This episode was made using Creative Commons media. Bumper: “Songs of Triumph” by scottaltham, Ocean waves crashing by Luftrum, Urban herring gulls by acclivity, Road construction by Heigh-hoo

2) The Crisis of Credit Visualized: Part 1, and Part 2

Have you found yourself listening to a really good busker and wishing there was some way, more than just tossing a loonie, to show your appreciation?  Well Karen Fung has and it led her to conceive of Busker Idol.

“Busker Idol encourages crowds to participate, à la American Idol, to vote for the best buskers in a variety of categories.” What’s more, Karen envisions a highly interactive system that lets street performers share their creations and build a fan base directly. In this way, we, the public, gain a more direct role in promoting art in Vancouver.

Listen to the interview

—–
Credits: This episode was made using Creative Commons media. Bumper: “Songs of Triumph” by scottaltham, Ocean waves crashing by Luftrum, Urban herring gulls by acclivity, Road construction by Heigh-hoo, Episode: Market / busker sounds by vedas

Metro Vancouver also has an excellent page to help you find places that will take everything from baby clothing to large appliances.  http://www.metrovancouver.org/MetroVancouverRecycles/Pages/default.aspx

CDs and DVDs

Free Geek Vancouver
1820 Pandora Street
Vancouver, BC
604-879-GEEK (4335)

OPEN – Tues. ~ Sat.
11:00am – 6:00pm
CLOSED – Sun. Mon.

http://freegeekvancouver.org/en/computer_recycling

STYROFOAM:

*Regardless of whether or not it has recycling number

Packaging Styrofoam:

Mansonville Plastics (Surrey)
604-534-8626
*must call first – free drop-off

Genesis Recycling
(604) 607-1117
26049 30A Avenue, Aldergrove
*approx. $3 per garbage bag

Gibsons Recycling Depot
1018 Venture way, Gibsons B.C

Styrofoam packaging chips:

Styrofoam packing chips/peanuts are taken for reuse at UPS store locations. Check out their website for locations: http://www.theupsstore.ca/locations

Food Packaging Styrofoam:

Polystyrene (PS) food containers can be difficult to recycle. PS is not easily recyclable because of its light weight and low scrap value. The properties that make it an excellent packaging material – its weight, low cost, durability and strength – make it hard to recycle. The cost of operating trucks usually makes it cost prohibitive to transport PS to a recycling plant. Food containers are generally contaminated so require cleaning before they can be processed for recycling, which also makes it economically infeasible.

Pacific Mobile Depots, located on Vancouver Island, has set up a once monthly depot in North Vancouver. They take quite a bit of stuff.  Please note that they also take the chips and packing material.

www.pacificmobiledepots.com

PLASTIC CONTAINERS 3 & 6

Most blue bins only accept plastics #1, 2, 4 and 5.  Plastics 3 & 6 can be recycled with the following companies.

Pacific Mobile Depots
Monthly pickup in North Vancouver and Commercial Drive, 3rd Saturday from 9am – 12pm
333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver
www.pacificmobiledepots.com

Varsek Trading Group Inc.
6260 Mara Crescent, Richmond
604.277.6255
Hours: M-F 7:00am-5:00pm
Varsek Trading is a broker for household and industrial quantities of plastics #1-7. Call first.

West Coast Plastics
Richmond
604.247.1664
Hours: M-F 8:00am-4:00pm
West Coast only accepts #6 plastics.  Please call with material details for drop off location.

PLASTICS WITHOUT A NUMBER:

Unfortunately, the companies we know of on the Lower Mainland which accept plastics without the code only accept large amounts (ie/tons) of the material from businesses. Pacific Mobile Depots accepts a variety of plastics. These materials are also listed on their website: http://www.pacificmobiledepots.com/services.php

MILK CONTAINERS

Encorp now accepts milk containers at several of their depots.  Click here for a list of locations.

FOIL COMPOSITE COFFEE BAGS:

These are not accepted anywhere on the Lower Mainland.  Again, Pacific Mobile Depots is the only company we know of which accepts it (foil bags in general).

SOFT STRETCHY PLASTICS:

All Wastech Transfer Stations (www.wastech.ca) accept soft plastic for recycling. I have listed their locations here. Please note that the Vancouver Transfer Station is city-run and not a “Wastech” site. They do not accept soft plastics there:

Surrey Transfer Station
(604) 513-2409
9770 – 192nd Street, Surrey
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm / Sat & Sun 8am-6-pm

North Vancouver Transfer Station
(604) 929-4725
30 Riverside Drive
(3 blocks south of the Dollarton Highway, just east of the Ironworkers’ Memorial Bridge)
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-9pm / Sat & Sun 8am-6pm

Coquitlam Transfer Station
(604) 521-1715
1200 United Boulevard, Coquitlam
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-5pm / Sat & Sun 8am-6pm

OTHER METALS:

The Vancouver Transfer Station has a recycling area for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as a host of other materials such as appliances and household recyclables. Metals can be brought to their recycling area for free drop-off:

South Vancouver Transfer Station
(604) 326-4600
377 West Kent Avenue North
(2 blocks south of Marine Drive between Cambie & Main)
Hours: 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm

WAX PAPER:

Wax paper cannot be recycled.  However, according to one reader it is compostable in your home compost – thanks Melanie!!  Rinse off oily food first. You have to be sure that it is waxed paper, not paper with a plastic coating.  Paper cartons that used to be waxed, are now often coated with plastic.  Waxed paper in the compost degrades at about the same rate as leaves.

EMPTY AEROSOL CANS:

Unfortunately, these containers are not accepted as recycling because they are considered contaminated. To safely dispose of them, depress the nozzle until you hear nothing at all (not even air), and this can be disposed of as a regular garbage item.

PARTICLE BOARD:

Unlike wood, particle board is not recyclable as it contains a number of different materials, including glue. It is a garbage item and can be taken to the Vancouver South Transfer Station (above) as waste. They charge $65 per ton with a minimum charge of $6.

DRYWALL:

Drywall (gypsum) is banned from the landfill and must be taken to a special depot for recycling:

New West Gypsum Recycling
(604) 520-6647
38 Vulcan Street, New Westminster
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm / Sat & Sun 8am-5pm

Ecowaste Industries
(604) 276-9511
15111 Williams Road, Richmond
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm / Sat & Sun 8am-6pm

BATTERIES:

Alkaline:

Unfortunately, there is no provincial program in place for the recycling of alkaline batteries. They are not considered a hazardous waste due to the fact that mercury has been eliminated from their manufacturing. Accordingly, they can be disposed of as a regular garbage item. However, acid from alkaline batteries can create issues in landfills, as it can erode protective liners, creating opportunities for leakage. Accordingly, if you decide to dispose of them, please only place a handful of batteries out with each garbage container or bag.

Best Buy, Future Shop and Ikea accept alkaline batteries for recycling at their retail stores. No purchase is necessary. Please note that Best Buy and Future Shop also accept rechargeable batteries.

There are some private companies in Vancouver accepting alkaline batteries for recycling.

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation
2150 Maple Street
Vancouver, BC
(604)736-7732
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
*Free to drop-off batteries.

Vancouver Battery
2192 W. Broadway (Yew & W. Broadway)
Vancouver, BC
(604) 737-8463
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6:30pm /  Sat 10am-2pm
*small fee for alkaline batteries

Rechargeable Batteries:

Log onto www.rbrc.org for locations to drop off rechargeable batteries.

CELL PHONES:

There is an excellent program in place for recycling old cell phones. The program benefits local food banks. You can log onto their website to find the closest location to your house: www.think-food.com.

ELECTRONICS:

There are a number of places in Vancouver that will take old electronics.  Most of them want computer equipment but some may take old TVs and VCRs.  I suggest calling ahead to double check what they will take.

A province-wide end-of-life electronics recycling program is available to BC consumers and businesses. You can drop off regulated products at designated collection sites free of charge, and be assured they will be recycled responsibly. The program essentially covers computers, computer peripherals and televisions. For more information on the program and to find the depot closest to you, log onto http://www.encorp.ca/electronics/locations. For your convenience, I have listed the three depots currently accepting this material in Vancouver:

Regional Recycling
(604) 689-4722
960 Evans Avenue, Vancouver
(2 block north of Terminal, opposite Home Depot)
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm / Sun 9am-5pm

Salvation Army
(604) 874-4721
261 East 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30 **call first

Vancouver Central Return-It Depot
(604) 434-0707
2639 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm/Sun 10am-5pm

Electronic Recycling Association
#38 East 69th Avenue, Vancouver
(604) 215-4483
Hours: 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday
Drop offs are only accepted during business hours.

To make it convenient for everyone to donate their laptops and computers, the following depots accept computers and electronics on behalf of the ERA:

• HBC – ZELLERS – Accepts computers and laptops for donation ONLY. Do not bring TVs or Appliances to these locations.
• Landsdowne Shopping Centre, 8311 Landsdowne Road, Richmond
• Scottsdale Mall, 7155 120th Street, Delta
• Metropolis Center, 4545 Central Boulevard, Burnaby

Free Geek Vancouver also takes old computers free of charge and can recycle CDs and DVDs.

1820 Pandora Street
Vancouver, BC
V5L 1M5
604-879-GEEK (4335)

Computer Junkies accepts old computer equipment.  They may even give you cash for stuff in working condition.

201 – 1114 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
604-GET-HELP (604-438-4357)

OTHER ELECTRONICS:

Other electronic equipment is not covered under the provincial recycling program. Accordingly, they can be disposed of as waste. We do know of a company which accepts a variety of electronics for recycling. In most cases, it is free to drop off materials at their various sites. They are called Techno Trash Recycling: www.technotrashrecycling.com (604) 893-8901. You must call before dropping off materials.

USED FURNITURE:

Used furniture (in decent condition) can be donated to the HomeStart Foundation.  http://www.homestart.ca.  They may even come pick it up depending on your time and location.

Further questions can be directed to:

Recycling Council of British Columbia
Tel: (604) 683-6009
www.rcbc.ca

RCBC Mission Statement- Approved June 2006
The Recycling Council of British Columbia is a multi-sectoral non-profit organization promoting the principles of Zero Waste through information services, the exchange of ideas and research.

MEDICINES, VITAMINS & OINTMENTS:

Most unused stuff that comes out of your medicine cabinet should never be thrown in the garbage or washed down the sink.  Please take these items to your pharmacy.  If in doubt, don’t throw it out.

PAINT AND OTHER CHEMICALS

Paints, solvents and other hazardous chemicals are covered under the Product Care program, a province-wide recycling program for household hazardous wastes including household paint, flammable liquids and aerosols, domestic pesticides, and gasoline.  Because the program is in place, these items are banned from the landfill. The Vancouver location for disposing of paint and flammable liquids is:

East Van Bottle Depot
2605 Kaslo Street, Vancouver
604.255.4243
Hours: M-Su 9:00am-6:00pm

All products must be in the original container (except for solvents such as paint thinner), with the original label and sealed.  Up to 10 containers can be dropped off per visit, with a maximum volume per  container of 5 gallons for paint and 10 L for solvents. Solvents must be contained within metal containers (empty paint cans), well sealed and labelled.