It all began as I was having my morning coffee... As I took my last sip, I searched for a garbage can to toss it in. Before I launched it into the trash, I peered down at my cup. The lid is recyclable?! But why aren't we recycling it? I wonder how many Vancouver citizens are discarding these lids each morning. What about those free daily papers that I see strewn about the city? What a waste and what a mess! I would like to see a more sustainable, green Vancouver. We have such a beautiful city and I strongly feel that there should be a push for more recycling options, especially on Robson Street.
I'm sure that it would be relatively inexpensive to put some paper/plastic recycling bins on Robson street to start. I am personally willing to volunteer my time to encourage others to recycle. I can get a team of people together who could physically hold the recycling bins and approach citizens outside of establishments like Blenz and Starbucks. This would be virtually free for the city to implement. We could save a ton of materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Who's with me? What are your thoughts?
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I love it.
ReplyDeleteIt's about time that the city do something about this. We're looking for ways to reduce our garbage and this would seem like a no brainer (although, I suspect collecting the bins might be a challenge for the city...requiring new trucks most likely).
Good for you for recognizing a need and for being willing to do something about it!
Thanks for the comments Sebastian! It seems like something that could be implemented fairly easily. It may be hard to get more trucks, but perhaps the city could rely on sponsor organizations and volunteers to carry this out. I'm excited to see where this goes!
ReplyDeleteLast year I visited Wolfville, NS, the first official fair trade town in Canada. What this means is that the city officially supports fair trade and brings in as many fairly trade goods as possible. Not only this, but this beautiful small town has also done a lot to embrace the tenants of sustainability. I was particularly impressed by the town's disposal areas where multiple receptacles can be found in one spot and refuse is divided into cans, plastic, paper, and other. Although Vancouver is much bigger than Wolfville, I would love to see out beautiful city also embrace what you've suggested. I would also like to see more municpalities in Metro Vancouver adopt curbside compost pick-up programs.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what I can do to help you on your quest!
Cheers,
Kristen
Hey there, fellow marketer!
ReplyDeleteI loved today's post. I think every city, regardless it's location, should enable recycling! Why not start in sschools? where tons of people waste way too much paper and other recyclable materials.
I suggested this to the college I attend, for I love everything about it, the people, the teachers so eager to pass on their wisdom, but my favorite part (aside from the courses I'm in) is watching the distant scenery, "staring into the horizon", for it is surrounded by huge, beautiful trees and grass,.. but now, I realize, if we don't start by recycling in our communities,... who will?
Great post!
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I was surprised actually when I found out most paper coffee cups are recyclable but have to be processed differently or something... given the sheer number of coffee shops in Vancouver you'd think we could find a way to recycle all the paper cups as well as the lids. Obviously the best plan is to carry a mug, but it's not always feasible given there's no easy way to wash them while you're out and about.
ReplyDeleteI would like to have a variety of receptacles in my own home haha... but I love your idea. Not sure how fiscally feasible it is, but if you could find someone who could make a product out of them, like the people who make bags out of pop cans/water bottles/plastic wrappers, it might make sense for them to also collect and process them.
I would totally embrace the idea of recycling the paper cups and plastic lids, but here is the small problem we are all plagued with. We have to have critical mass to make recycling a certain product feasible and two we actually should try to make use of reusable cups before we use disposable cups.
ReplyDeleteBoth are very altruistic goals, I have struggled with owning and keeping a reusable mug, but I also have had trouble finding decent recycling for coffee cups.
I try to use a combination of getting most coffee's to stay and bringing my own mug, But know that far to many times I have found myself using a paper cup when no easy alternative could be found.
But check out:
http://coffeevancouver.ca/2007/05/29/byom-bring-your-own-mug/
and
http://coffeevancouver.ca/2007/10/10/bump-and-grind/
To see what some cafes are doing to combat the issue!
Thank you to everyone for your comments! I'm so happy that you are all so passionate about this issue! I am working on pushing this further. I will keep you posted on my progress. Thanks again for your support!
ReplyDeleteTanya