Green Coast Rubbish

Organic Waste Reduction Part 2

Andrea — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:16:43 +0000

In our last blog we shared with you some eye-opening stats on the amount of organic waste produced every day. As well some solutions on how to responsibly dispose of this type of waste. To continue the conversation we present Part 2 of the Organic Waste Reduction blog. Here we will educate you on the process that your organic waste goes through when processed.

The majority of the organic waste in Metro Vancouver is sent to Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre, the top organic processing facility in British Columbia. Municipalities they service include the North Shore (North Shore Recycling Program), Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey and Burnaby.

Once at the processing facility, the organic materials are mixed together in large piles with other already composted material. These piles are then covered with carbon activated ash which helps reduce odors. After 7-9 weeks, the pile is sorted to separate the finer material, which is marketable, from the larger pieces which still need to break down.

The finished compost is then either sold as pure compost or is used to make garden and turf soils. In total, the entire composting process takes between 10 and 12 weeks. Click here for a quick video that illustrates the process.

Digging into one compost cell. Photo source: Fraser Richmond

Compost product getting loaded. Photo source: Fraser Richmond

Feedstock in loader. Photo source: Fraser Richmond

An energy garden is also currently under construction at Fraser Richmond Soil and Fiber which will allow the addition of another composting process (High Solid Anaerobic Digester). It will be up and running by July 2012.

Rendering of energy garden. Photo source: Fraser Richmond

Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre is a proud supporter as is GCR of Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge. The work they do has long-lasting sustainable effects on the environment. To reach the goals of the Zero Waste Challenge it starts with each person and household. Make sorting your waste a priority. Organic waste can have a powerful second life providing renewable fuel, power and heat source.

More information on Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre can be found on their website: www.fraserrichmond.ca. Or chat with the Green Coast Rubbish team on Twitter or Facebook.

Getting Serious About Organic Waste Reduction

Andrea — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:09:03 +0000

Approximately 40% of all materials that are thrown away are organics according to Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge Strategy. This includes all food scraps (meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, bones and plate scrapings) food-soiled paper (paper towels, napkins and pizza boxes) and yard trimmings (grass clippings, leaves, plants and flowers).

These materials can and should be diverted from the landfills as they can be re-purposed and recycled. In fact, the Zero Waste Challenge Strategy estimates that 265,000 tonnes of organic waste needs to be recycled annually if Vancouver is to meet their goal of 70% diversion by 2015.

Recently, the North Shore Recycling Program launched its Green Can initiative, to encourage all three North Shore municipalities to recycle their organic waste. Starting May 2012, organic waste will be collected alongside the Curbside Yard Trimmings Program. According to the Green Can, approximately 2,000 tonnes are expected to be diverted (10%) in 2012 with that number jumping to 3,800 tonnes (20%) in 2013 and 4,700 tonnes (25%) by 2014.

With 40,000 households expected to participate, several upgrades are being made to the North Shore Transfer Station green waste area where the organic waste is held until they are transported to the Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre facility.

A full list of what is acceptable materials and what is not can be found on the Green Can website or by clicking here.

Several other cities in Metro Vancouver have similar programs or have initiated pilot programs. Programs like this and other ones such as backyard composting are extremely important to the environment and should see a marked increase in participation once food scraps are banned from the landfill (to take effect 2015).

Organic waste recycling and composting will be critical towards achieving a zero waste future for Metro Vancouver.

Spring Clean Green

Andrea — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:22:23 +0000

In the business of rubbish removal it is no surprise that spring is busiest time of the year for cleaning out dusty attics and cluttered garages. Although it may not look like spring outside today, trust us, it is just around the corner! But what many homeowners don’t realize is how much of their unwanted junk can actually be recycled or reused in an environmentally friendly way.

We find that many of our eco-conscious customers keep clutter and unwanted goods around the home because they don’t want to fill up the landfills and they don’t know where to recycle.

Here are some of the most common materials that can easily be recycled and some tips on how stay green as you spring clean:

Electronics- The environmentally safe disposal of old electronics has become a rampant issue over the past decade. Electronic Recycling is a growing trend North American and Asia and electronic recycling facilities have sprouted up in thousands of cities. The Green Coast Rubbish team can help to ensure your e-waste ends up properly disposed of.

Concrete – Concrete recycling is becoming an increasingly popular way to utilize aggregate left behind from renovation and landscaping projects. In the past, this rubble was disposed of in landfills, but with more attention being paid to environmental concerns, concrete recycling allows reuse of the rubble while also keeping construction costs down.

Metal- Steel, copper and aluminum are common metals that can be recycled. Scrap metal yards and metal recycling facilities will accept an assortment of scrap metal and will often pay a commission based on weight and value of the metal.

Drywall- There are a growing number of drywall drop-off centers across North America, many of which are affiliated with local Habitat for Humanity chapters. These facilities will accept large sheets of drywall for reuse in housing projects.

Wood – As we recently shared on our blog Green Coast Rubbish partner with Urban Wood Waste to properly dispose of your unwanted wood.

Once you have green cleaned for spring your home, here are some tips to keep your home green year round:

Switch from disposable to reusable products: food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, razors, diapers towels and shopping bags
Replace paper napkins with cloth napkins
Buy in bulk and transfer the products to your own reusable containers.
Instead of buying these items new, save and reuse all: bags (plastic and paper), rubber bands, twisties, boxes, and packaging material.
Donate your old clothes and other products to charity.
Purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery recharger (some battery rechargers will also recharge regular alkaline batteries).
When you buy new tires, ask if your old tires will be recycled – if not find out if there is a tire recycling center in your area.
If you are traveling and no recycle bins are available, pack your recyclables home with you whenever possible.
Recycle your printer’s ink cartridges through available programs (ask for recycling sources where your

Urban Wood Waste: Canada’s Largest Recycler

Andrea — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 18:14:43 +0000

According to the City of North Vancouver’s Businesses in Action initiative, garbage tipping fees are going to continue steadily increasing. “With land at a premium and landfill sites filling up, garbage tipping fees will rise from $82 per tonne in 2010 to $182 per tonne in 2015.” Although bad news for our wallets, perhaps this is a green blessing in disguise. Residents are now showing a greater focus on diverting their waste.

One group leading the charge is our partner in diversion Urban Wood Waste Recyclers (UWWR). They are Canada’s largest recycler of construction and demolition debris. UWWR’s Louise Roxy says, “We divert over 150,000 tonnes of materials annually from landfills and have over 90 employees at our 2 locations in Vancouver and New Westminster. We strive to help the Lower Mainland achieve its goal of recycling 70% of our waste by 2015.” Take a peek at their recycling process here.

Green Coast Rubbish in conjunction with UWWR are committed to repurpose, reuse and recycle waste that would otherwise go to the landfills and reaching a zero waste future. In fact, last year we recycled or composted almost 66 tonnes of wood and green waste – an amazing feat that wouldn’t have been possible without UWWR and our clients eco-responsiblity.

Building a sustainable future is hard work but companies like UWWR make it easier for everybody.

DIY Natural Home Cleaning Products

Andrea — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:27:33 +0000

Walking down the cleaning aisle of any grocery or specialty store can be an overwhelming experience for both your shopping list and your sinuses! The options seem to be endless and there is a specialty product for almost any surface in your home.

The unfortunate fact is many of these items, even those marked ‘green’ are the furthest thing from eco-friendly. To ensure your cleaning products are free from harmful chemicals and are friendly on mother nature, we encourage Green Coast Rubbish clients to make their own cleaning products. We promise it is easier than baking a cake, and can save hundreds of dollars annually. Here are a few of our favourite cleaning product recipes courtesy of local cleaning company Aspen Clean and David Suzuki’s Queen of Green:

All-Purpose Cleaner

▪ Mix 30ml (2 tbsp-tablespoons) pure soap (such as Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap) with 1 liter warm water. Add 60 ml (1/4 cup) lemon juice to help cut grease.

▪ Mix 60 ml (1/4 cup) baking soda (or Borax) with 1 liter (4 cups) warm water. Add 60 ml (1/4 cup) lemon juice to help cut grease.

Glass Cleaner

▪ Mix 60 ml (1/4 cup) vinegar or 15 ml (1 tbsp-tablespoon) lemon juice with 1 liter warm water.

Disinfectant

▪ In 1 liter spray bottle, add 2.5 ml (1/2 tsp-teaspoons) citric acid powder, 1.2 ml (1/4 tsp) borax, 250 ml (1 cup) vodka, 25 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract, and 750 ml (3 cups) purified water.

▪ It is safe to use on carpets, bed linens, etc.

Air Freshener-Lavender Mist

Add 30 drops of lavender essential oil to a 150 ml glass mister bottle filled with warm distilled water. Shake well before spraying. Enjoy the aromatherapy.

Lastly, taken from the David Suzuki site here is a quick video showing you How to Make Laundry Soap.

With spring just around the corner we encourage all GCR fans to use natural products to keep your homes clean and green!

Green Your Way Through a Demolition Project

Andrea — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:08:34 +0000

The amount of waste that is produced during a demolition project is astronomical. In fact, Construction Specification Canada estimates that demolition and construction waste makes up 23% of all waste sent to the landfills. According to the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, in 2008 the City of Vancouver sent approximately 480,000 tonnes to the landfill and 97,000 tonnes of that was from the demolition and construction sector.

However, over half of all demolition and construction waste can actually be diverted from the landfill, and one way to ensure this happens is through a process called deconstruction. The main objective of deconstruction is to recycle, re-use, or salvage materials from demolition or construction projects that are more often than not taken to the landfill. A process that is simple in theory and execution, but rarely practiced.

Green Coast Rubbish advocates demolition done the green way. Recently, our team were called in for a large deconstruction job for a single family, 3 story, 4500 square foot, detached house in North Vancouver, BC. The owners wanted their newly purchased home completely gutted so they could have a blank canvas for the slated renovations.

To achieve this starting point we had to strip the house down to its bare studs, which involved tearing down the large chimney that ran straight through the house, removing all stairs, flooring, cabinets, drywall, insulation, plumbing, and wiring. In total, we removed 33.65 tonnes of material. All from just one home!

As Green Coast is fully supportive of Vancouver’s Greenest City initiative and Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge this project was a great opportunity to use deconstruction to divert from the landfill. As seen below, our overall diversion rate for this project was 91.3%, and we managed to divert a total of 29.78 tonnes from the landfill. Additionally, all kitchen cabinets were donated for re-use to New Leaf Interior Design.

A recent article in the Globe and Mail, ‘A growing green gap in the construction waste market’ suggests that the “future of construction-waste disposal is definitely green” and we couldn’t agree more. In our day to day business, everything we can divert from the landfills is a step in the right direction.

If you’re considering a deconstruction or renovation project of your own, contact us to discuss how we can ensure it is done the green way!

How to be Greener in 2012

Andrea — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:01:52 +0000

With a new year upon us, a great way of starting it off right is to make a committment to be greener in 2012. Here are 5 tips which are simple and easy to do:

Think Resuable: Help reduce landfill waste by using resuable products such as water bottles and shopping bags. Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan wants to reduce landfill waste 50% by 2020 and the only way we’re going to get there is if families starting thinking about what stuff they can throw away and what stuff they can re-use.

Get Creative: Start thinking outside of the box. Make your own shampoos and bath products using do-it-yourself recipes found online. Host swaps with your friends to trade clothes, books, electronics etc. There are so many possibilities so get your thinking caps on.

Use Transit: We’ve been blessed with a great public transit infrastructure which means that you can get virtually anywhere in Vancouver using a bus, skytrain or seabus. Plus, you can get up to 15% back on your federal tax return if you buy monthly transit passes.

Buy Local: By buying local, you’ll support small businesses that have smaller environmental footprints. Consider visiting farmer’s markets or even the Public Market at Granville Island to find local, delicious food goodies.

Go Meatless: We’re not advocating becoming vegetarian or vegan, but limiting your meat consumption by even 1 meal can go a long way to reducing human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Meatless Monday has several delicious vegetarian recipes that are healthy for both you and the environment.

Make a choice to promote sustainable lifestyle choices by being greener for 2012.

Think Recycle and Help Us Tackle E-Waste

Andrea — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:48:49 +0000

Green Coast Rubbish is excited to be partnering with e-waste organization Think Recycle. In 2010, we were able to divert 50.80 tonnes of e-waste and other materials from the landfills. In a time of the year when many new electronic powered toys, TV’s, computers and other presents are sure to be unwrapped from the tree it is important to think about what happens to electronics when they need to be recycled.

Think Recycle is an innovative environmental fund raising program that takes unwanted and old electronics and disposes of them properly through refurbishment, recycling or reuse. They take electronics such as laptops, tablets, blue-tooths, cell phones, digital cameras, inkjet cartridges and more.

A full list of electronics and the rebates can be found here. Green Coast Rubbish is encouraging everyone to join Think Recycle.

Signing up is easy:

Register to become a member on the Think Recycle website.
Collect a minimum of 10 electronics and pack them in a cardboard box.
Request a pre-paid shipping label, attach to your box and drop in the mail!

The funds you earn can be used for whatever your organization needs or given to the charity arm of your choice. All funds generated by Green Coast Rubbish will be donated to the David Suzuki Foundation.

Together we can create a positive environmental impact. Call us today to properly dispose of your old, unused electronics and help us raise funds for a great organization!

Create Memories, Not Garbage

Andrea — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:40:35 +0000

This holiday season, Metro Vancouver is encouraging people to become ‘green angels’ by creating memories, not garbage. In other words, help reduce the amount of garbage this season by giving high quality and meaningful gifts such as experiences or home-made goods.

Metro Vancouver’s Create Memories, Not Garbage campaign is one that we at Green Coast Rubbish fully endorse and support. It’s just one step in many towards creating a Zero Waste Vancouver by 2020.

And to get into the holiday spirit, here are some of our green gift ideas …

Treat friends and loved ones to a spa treatment such as haircuts, pedicures, manicures and massages.
Purchase cooking classes for the aspiring cooks in your life.
Book those much needed dance lessons for that ‘dancing impaired’ friend.
Buy toys that are high in quality and durable. That way you can pass them along to others.
Take your significant other zip-lining or skiing at Whistler.

Visit the Create Memories, Not Garbage website for fantastic green gift ideas (many submitted by readers), e-Cards, videos, and information about our waste issues.

Help reduce the impact holiday-related garbage will have on the environment by joining us in becoming green angels this season. Happy holidays from everyone here at Green Coast Rubbish!

Win up to $1500 to Cobre Restaurant!

Andrea — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:09:49 +0000

Who doesn’t “like” a free meal now and again? Green Coast Rubbish wants to treat you to dinner; thanking you for supporting us in our drive to win Small Business BC’s Successful You Awards, ‘Best Green Business’ of 2012.

Hungry? Here are 3 quick n’ easy steps to getting your hands on $50 gift certificates to Cobre Restaurant (we promise, it’s quick and easy):

STEP 1: “Vote Green Coast Rubbish for “Best Green Business” of 2012
STEP 2: “Like” our Facebook Page (if you haven’t already)
STEP 3: “Share” this post on your Facebook Page

That’s it! Every 24 hours we will be giving away up to $100.00 worth of Cobre Restaurant gift certificates. The more you ‘Share’ our post on your Facebook (FB) page or with your FB buds, the better your chances are that you get to eat and drink for free at Cobre!

There aren’t any hidden rules but in case you’re still wondering, here are the terms of our delicious giveaway:

All you have to do is vote for Green Coast to win Best Green Business of 2012, ‘like’ our FB page, and ‘share’ this post on your FB page or with your buds, and you automatically get a chance to win $50.00 gift certificates to Cobre Restaurant -Vancouver’s renowned destination for “Nuevo Latino” cuisine.

Up to $1500.00 in gift certificates available. Every 24 hours we will pick one lucky winner. Unlimited likes and shares! The more buds that you get to like our page and vote for us, the better your chances are to eat and drink at Cobre.

Disclaimer: You can only use $100.00 worth of Cobre gift certificate per individual per sitting. Cobre gift certificates are not cash redeemable. To be eligible, you must like our FB page, cast your vote for Green Coast and share this post on your FB page in order for you to win gift certificates. The give-a-away ends when we give away $1500.00 worth of Cobre gift certificates.

Not a fan? Not a problem. As soon as you ‘like’ our FB page and vote for us you become automatically eligible.