Green HOBN of Vancouver

Reduce-Recycle-Reuse by Kate Cannata

 Recycling has become common practice when we look at a bottle, can or newspaper but how often do we think about it with other household items or building materials?  Last month I did some extensive investigative research on recycling and discovered some interesting figures.  According to recent statistics:

 San Francisco leads all North American Cities in waste recycling at 69%.

• Vancouver sits at a low 50%. 
• A shocking total of 508,207 tons of municipal solid waste was disposed of at the Delta Landfill in 2008.
• And only 4,988 tons was recycled.  This amount is less than 1% of all waste generated in the city.  
• Only 25% of all Vancouver apartment/condo dwellers recycle as compared to the 50% of all single-family dwellings. 

 Thankfully an aggressive plan called the ‘Zero Waste Challenge’ is in place to encourage higher recycling practices to meet a goal of 70% by 2010.  Keep in mind this percent only applies to single-family homes and there is still more we can do.

 We can make great strides towards this goal by recycling household objects that many people don’t realize can be recycled or reused.

 Drywall – Drywall is 90% Gypsum which can be recycled is used to manufacture new drywall.

• Refrigerators – Trying to get rid of that old fridge? BC Hydro will actually pick up and recycle your old, junk fridge for FREE and give you $30 for it.
• Non-treated wood – Reused 2X4’s for construction
• Mattresses – Foam is reused to create new mattresses, wood is recycled from bed frames and fibers are reused or sold to make other materials.
• Concrete – Ground down and reused.
• Toilets – Toilets are ground down and recycled with concrete to create aggregate.

 If kept in good condition the following can be recycled and reused by organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

 Cabinets

• Countertops – If cracked it will be recycled as aggregate.
• Sinks – If cracked it will be recycled as aggregate.

 If you will be completing a large home renovation project or if you have a garage full of junk to remove, contact Fresh Start Recycling.  They charge by volume and will take in all of your renovation waste and bring it to a transfer station at which it will be sorted by type.  Contact Tom at 604.637.6400 for more information.

Before starting the teardown of your project with either a contractor or as a DIY’er you may also want to consider donating. Follow these important steps:

 1.    Plan early

2.    Consult a Contractor and Designer

3.    Conduct an audit and make a list of the potential donation items.

4.    Contact the following that can assist with recycling/reusing:

Habitat for Humanity can take the following in good/working condition; windows, doors, paint, counter tops, hardware, lumber, tools, lighting fixtures and even the kitchen sink. Find A Restore

 Surrey New & Used Building Materials will pick up just about anything in good condition especially kitchen and bath cabinets, counter tops, sinks, bath tubs and even toilets!  604.576.8488; toll free 877.570.8733; email surreynewandused@shaw.ca.

 Fresh Start Recycling www.freshstartrecycling.com Contact Tom at 604.637.6400 for more information

 Or consult the following websites for more information:

 www.metrovancouver.org/buildsmart

www.rcbc.bc.ca/

www.drywallrecycling.org