December 2009 Notes from the Depot…………
This past October management and committee members attended the CWMC conference. It was held in Victoria from October 21st-23. Again the idea ZERO waste was stressed. The need to remove bio-mater (food waste) from the waste stream is at the utmost importance. We learned that green-house gases caused by the methane these bio-maters produce in the land fill are 71 more harmful to their CO equivalent.
Another interesting speaker hailed from San Francisco and informed us that San Francisco has reached a 75 % diversion rate of their waste. San Francisco has invested heavily into their infrastructure and into public education to achieve this diversion rate.
On October 28th-29th I attended the Canadian Waste and Recycling Expo. The items of interest at the show where a EPS Foam Densifier a unit that compacts Styrofoam to one 90th it size and turns it into commodity. A “Universal Lamp Compressing Machine” for light all types of light bulbs was also of interest.
Staff and management are preparing for the depots upgrade and are awaiting the “Request For Proposal” from the Regional District for the first phase of the depots upgrade. A preliminary site plan is available for public viewing at the depot.
We are planning to keep the doors to the depot open during the construction phase and will work together with the Regional District and the contractor to minimize any inconvenience to the public.
The 2010 recycling budget was approved by the HIRRA membership and a new enhanced service called ‘Beach Waste Management’ . The extra cost for this service will be $6000.00 this year. This money will be administered by HIRRA to manage the waste that gathers on our beaches.
Another reminder that smoking is not permitted on depot property. Flammables are deposited at the depot and although the chances seem slim for a accidental fire caused by a smoker the danger is real. For the safety of the island please refrain from lighting up at the depot.
For those who make use of our account system the terms are 30 days and we appreciate prompt payment of your accounts.
We would like to remind everyone that the depot works on a honour system and that garbage that is deposited at the depot has to be paid for. We expect ‘everyone’ to pay for the waste that they are leaving at the depot. If you are unsure how much your deposit is please feel free to contact staff or management.
A note that the tipping fees have been reduced to off season prices. They are as follows:
Small Size 16½ x 20" (42 x 51 cm) are $1.25. These are the “Kitchen Catchers” style bags.
Medium Size: 26 x 36" (66 x 91 cm) are $2.50. These are the regular green garbage bags.
Large Size 31 x 42" (78 x 107 cm) will be $4.00. These are the large orange garden and construction style bags
Another reminder that there “IS” a charge for large items left at the depot. If you bring furniture, mattresses, lawn chairs, arm chairs, tables, couches, washers, dryers, water heaters, fridges, stoves, kitchen islands, sideboards, beds, chest of drawers, and any other big items;
“PLEASE PAY FOR THEIR DISPOSAL!”
Thanks to those who already do.
………..Stani
November 2009 Notes from the depot......
This October the Coast Waste Management Conference was held in Victoria and recycling committee members and management attended this years conference. The annual Waste and Recycling Expo was held in Vancouver and the Hornby Island Recycling Depot was present as well.
Staff and management are preparing for the depots upgrade and are awaiting the “Request For Proposal” from the Regional District for the first phase of the depots upgrade. A preliminary site plan is available for public viewing at the depot.
We are planning to keep the doors to the depot open during the construction phase and will work together with the Regional District and the contractor to minimize any inconvenience to the public.
There was a break-in into the depot office on the 7th of October 2009 at about 6:20pm. Nothing was missing but the door/lock mechanism had been compromised. RCMP called the fire-department to investigate and the alarm-monitoring station informed management. Both arrived about 6:35 pm at the depot to find the depot empty.
Budget time is around the corner and depot management has been asked by HIRRA to add a new enhanced service called ‘Beach Waste Management’ to our 2010 budget. The extra cost for this service will be $6000.00 this year. This money will be administered by HIRRA to manage the waste that gathers on our beaches.
A reminder that smoking is not permitted on depot property. Flammables are deposited at the depot and although the chances seem slim for a accidental fire caused by a smoker the danger is real. For the safety of the island please refrain from lighting up at the depot.
For those who make use of our account system the terms are 30 days and we appreciate prompt payment of your accounts.
We would like to remind everyone that the depot works on a honour system and that garbage that is deposited at the depot has to be paid for. We expect ‘everyone’ to pay for the waste that they are leaving at the depot. If you are unsure how much your deposit is please feel free to contact staff or management.
A note that the tipping fees have been reduced to off season prices. They are as follows:
Small Size 16½ x 20" (42 x 51 cm) are $1.25. These are the “Kitchen Catchers” style bags.
Medium Size: 26 x 36" (66 x 91 cm) are $2.50. These are the regular green garbage bags.
Large Size 31 x 42" (78 x 107 cm) will be $4.00. These are the large orange garden and construction style bags
Another reminder that there “IS” a charge for large items left at the depot. If you bring furniture, mattresses, lawn chairs, arm chairs, tables, couches, washers, dryers, water heaters, fridges, stoves, kitchen islands, sideboards, beds, chest of drawers, and any other big items;
In an attempt to increase waste diversion and reduce the amount of waste we send to the land fill the committee has decided that the recycling centre will dismantle mattresses and box springs instead of sending them to land fill. The wood and metal in these mattresses will be re-used and/or recycled. The remaining material will be land filled. The extra man hours for this procedure will be covered by a raise in the tipping fees for mattresses and box springs to $15.00 per unit. Futons and foam mattresses are not part of this program. This program has proven most successful and we are planning to extend it to hide-beds and perhaps couches as well.
“PLEASE PAY FOR THEIR DISPOSAL!”
Thanks to those who already do.
………..Stani
October 2009 Notes from the Depot.........
As we are approaching the end of the year we are approaching the start on the long awaited upgrade to the Horny Island Recycling Depot. Drew Hadfield of the Regional District recently met with members of the Recycling Committee, management, and members of HIRRA to discuss these upgrades. Because considerable funds are required to implement all upgrades; the construction/upgrade process will be ‘phased in’ during the next three to four years. It was decided at the meeting that we start by building a new ‘free store’ at the site that is currently housing the electrical shed/pole. We are expecting a ‘Request For Proposal’ from the Regional District by the middle of October for this project. We where ensured that the Islands feel can be retained in the new structures and that costs of different innovative building techniques will be explored. Strong emphasis was put on the possibilities to recycle parts of our current building, such as the roof, and the recycling of our glass/concrete in the construction of the new buildings.
This will start the first phase in the construction process. Increasing our water storage capacity and an emergency shower are part of the first phase as well. The Biffy will also be connected to our new water supply during the first phase.
Phase two will see the current recycling area and the old ‘free store’ transformed into our new recycling building. Phase two should be well on the way by the end of 2010 (We Hope).
Phase three will consist of finishing up any upgrades that have not been completed in phase one and two including a Hazardous Material Shed and paving the road leading to the depot. A preliminary plan is available for public viewing at the depot.
The idea to purchase a glass pulverizer/crusher has been approved in concept by the Regional District and will be part of the upgrade. We are also to receive a used forklift to help us with our material handling challenges.
The gardens and trees that have been planted by volunteers in the past will not be affected by any of the planned upgrades.
We have been told that funding for the project will be provided by the Regional District’s ‘Solid Waste Management Coffers’, and these are filled by the tipping fees from past present and future. Current tipping fees will not be affected by this project, however we have been warned that tipping fees will increase in 2011 regardless.
Property taxes will not be affected by the Recycling Depot’s upgrade; so we’ve been told.
We are planning to keep the depot open during these construction phases and will work together with the Regional District and the contractor to minimize any inconvenience to the public.
The concept of an on site caretaker is still in discussion and we are waiting to get clearance to go ahead with this idea. Once the concept has been approved by the Regional District we will implement it into our depot upgrade plan.
Budget time is around the corner and depot management has been asked by HIRRA to add a new enhanced service called ‘Beach Waste Management’ to in our 2010 budget. The extra cost for this service will be $6000.00 this first year. This money will be administrated by HIRRA to manage the waste that gathers on our beaches.
As the Recycling Depot as we know it is changing, we invite all artist to capture it before it undergoes its transformation and make a record of this truly great place.
…………………..Stani
September 2009 Notes from the Depot.........
The summer passed quickly this year at the depot. The Free Store’s shelves were filled and emptied at an incredible rate and it seemed that the Free Store was busier this summer then it had been in many. Tipping fee revenue was down this year, which we contribute to a slower economy and people taking more care of how much they deposit into the trash.
The depot’s back hoe has received new rubber this summer. The Regional District has purchased “Flat Proofed” tires and new rims for our back-hoe thus hopefully eliminating some of the downtime we’ve been experiencing due to the age of the old tires.
The upgrade to the depot will commence this fall and Drew Hadfield of the Regional District will give a presentation at the next HIRRA meeting. This should prove to be an informative meeting and we are looking forward to be working together with the Regional District on this project.
We will attempt to make this upgrade as smooth as possible and with minimal service disruption. We’ve also been told that work needed to be done at the depot will be put out to tender. Stay tuned for more information
Our supplier of composters has stock again and we will soon have them available for sale for $45.00 at the depot. As well as the regular composters we have the “GREEN-CONE” The “Green Cone” is a Food Waste Digester. Tried and tested for 15 years, the Food Waste Digesters accept all types of food including raw and cooked meat or fish and bones. Using a Food Waste Digester immediately reduces the amount of waste collected from your home by up to 30% These Food Waste Digesters are available at the depot for an introductory price of $115.50. The Food Waste Digester should be used along side your regular composter dealing with the food waste while you regular composter would deal with other compostables materials.
T-Shirts sales for our fund raiser have been going well and we are closing in on what the depot owes HIRRA for the construction of the Biffi.
We will return to “off season” prices for garbage disposal after the Labour Day weekend and prices will be as follows:
Small Bag 16 ½” x 20”(42x51cm) Kitchen Catcher Style Bag………………….$1.25
Medium Bag 26” x 36”(66x91cm) Regular Garbage Bag……………………….$2.50
Large Bag 31”x 42” (78x107cm) Construction/Gardening Bag………..………..$4.00
On the 4th of July depot staff found the remains of a fire still burning when they arrived in the morning. 911 was called and depot staff started extinguishing what was left of the fire. The “Hornby Island Volunteer Fire Department” responded with in less than 10 minutes to completely put out the fire and make sure that there was no threat from it. The depot staff and management would like to thank Giff and all the Volunteer Firefighters who arrived at the scene to protect the depot and the forest surrounding it. It was discovered that the Hazardous Material Shed had been broken into, hazardous materials where removed, assembled in an area and set ablaze. This prank could have gone dangerously wrong and set the forest on the island ablaze.
In light of the 4th of July events discussions about the possibility of having a caretaker at the depot where had with HIRRA and the Regional District. The idea was received positively and the Regional District is looking into liability issues and how/if we can implement the idea of a caretaker at the depot. More on this as things unfold.
Thanks to all who play their part.
…..Stani
July 2009 Notes from the Depot .......
The staff and management apologises for the recent closure due to the power outage that effected the whole island. Occupational Health & Safety Regulations prevent us from operating without electricity. We need power at the recycling station to run our bailers and compactors. Without them operational we would quickly drown under the constant flow of recyclables and create an unsafe environment for the staff.
The need to purchase a back-up generator had been brought forward to the regional district in 2007 and will be incorporated in the recycling depots upgrade this fall.
The regional district's insurance companies' structural engineer has commented on the recycling depots structures and recommend that they are to be taken down. This will commence in the fall with the upgrade of the recycling depot. Current structures are not satisfying local building codes a present a liability to the regional district. HIRRA, the recycling committee, volunteers, staff and management met with the project manager of Chadwin Engineering at the depot in the first week of June to discuss and observe the depot. A first draft plan should reach us in July and construction is to begin in September. Possibly service will be interrupted for a short time. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this will cause. More information will be made available as soon as we know more.
The upgrade of the depot will change the face of the depot as we know it and we put out call to all artist to capture the depot before it undergoes transformation.
The Hornby Island Recycling Depot is featured in the new book “ECO CRAFT” by Susan Wasinger, published by Lark Books. It presents the depot in the great light we know it and some great ideas what one can do with recyclables.
We have now switched to our summer pricing for garbage disposal. Prices are as follows.
Small Size 16½ x 20" (42 x 51 cm) are $1.50. These are the “Kitchen Catchers” style bags.
Medium Size: 26 x 36" (66 x 91 cm) are $3.00. These are the regular green garbage bags.
Large Size 31 x 42" (78 x 107 cm) will be $5.00. These are the large orange garden and construction style bags
A reminder that there “IS” a charge for large items left at the depot. If you bring furniture, mattresses, lawn chairs, arm chairs, tables, couches, washers, dryers, water heaters, fridges, stoves, kitchen islands, sideboards, beds, chest of drawers, and any other big items;
“PLEASE PAY FOR THEIR DISPOSAL!”
Thanks to those who already do.
As well in an attempt to increase waste diversion and reduce the amount of waste we send to the land fill the committee has decided that the recycling centre will dismantle mattresses and box springs instead of sending them to land fill. The wood and metal in these mattresses will be re-used and/or recycled. The remaining material will be land filled. The extra man hours for this procedure will be covered by a raise in the tipping fees for mattresses and box springs to $15.00 per unit. Futons and foam mattresses are not part of this program. This program has been a great success and since we’ve started it in January we have processed over 60 mattresses
The T-Shirts for our annual .fund raiser have arrived and are available at the depot for only twenty dollars. So come up to the depot and support us.
…………………..Stani
June 2009 Notes from the depot…………..
Last month members of the recycling committee, HIRRA and Drew Hadfield from the Regional District had a “Start-up Meeting” with “Chadwin Engeneering” from Nanaimo. They are the engineering firm hired to design the improvement plan for the Hornby Island Recycling Depot. Current estimates have site improvements start in September 2009. We’ve been told that work needed to be done at the depot will be put out to tender. Stay tuned for more information.
The depot would like to take the opportunity to thank Ed Hoeppner for being the man in background making sure that our beloved “Spiffy Biffy” is running as it should and making sure that the red wigglers are well. Thanks as well to Colleen Work for working hard keeping the “Biffy” clean. An extra special thanks to Pat Perry for repairing our aging back-hoe once again and saving us from having to ship it of the island.
For those who are visiting our depot for the first time thank you for taking the time to read our signage and pre sorting your clean recyclables. It is with your help that we can recycle as much as possible.
The depot has received their shipments of ”Green Cones”. The “Green Cone” is a Food Waste Digester. Tried and tested for 15 years, the Food Waste Digesters accept all types of food including raw and cooked meat or fish and bones. Using a Food Waste Digester immediately reduces the amount of waste collected from your home by up to 30% These Food Waste Digesters are available at the depot for an introductory price of $115.50. The Food Waste Digester should be used along side your regular composter dealing with the food waste while you regular composter would deal with other compostables materials. If you currently throw your food waste into the absolute garbage bin; this may be the solution for you. The regular black style composter are available for $45.00 each.
A reminder that demolition and construction garbage should not be deposited into the regular garbage bin, but has its own bin.
The recycling committee decided to increase the garbage tipping fees for bags during the summer rush this season. It proved successful last year in generating revenue to hire some extra staff that deals with the increase in traffic. Summer prices will increase as follows:
Small Bag 16 ½” x 20”(42x51cm) Kitchen Catcher Style Bag………………….$1.50
Medium Bag 26” x 36”(66x91cm) Regular Garbage Bag……………………….$3.00
Large Bag 31”x 42” (78x107cm) Construction/Gardening Bag………..………..$5.00
This pricing schedule will commence the second weekend in June through Labour Day weekend.
And another reminder that there “IS” a charge for large items left at the depot. If you bring furniture, mattresses, lawn chairs, arm chairs, tables, couches, washers, dryers, water heaters, fridges, stoves, kitchen islands, sideboards, beds, chest of drawers, and any large items;
“PLEASE PAY FOR THEIR DISPOSAL!”
Thanks to those who already do.
As well in an attempt to increase waste diversion and reduce the amount of waste we send to the land fill the committee has decided that the recycling centre will dismantle mattresses and box springs instead of sending them to land fill. The wood and metal in these mattresses will be re-used and/or recycled. Remaining material is land filled. The extra man hours for this procedure will be covered by a raise in the tipping fees for mattresses and box springs to $15.00 per unit. Futons and foam mattresses are not part of this program.
Lastly a new T-Shirt for our annual fund raiser will be available soon. Join in and thanks for supporting your depot.
…..Stani.
May 2009 Notes from the Depot…………..
Spring has sprung and the warmer weather has been bringing out many visitors to the depot. The free store was extremely crowded on Easter weekend and the shelves where overflowing with all kind of merchandise. A great big thank you to all the volunteers who keep showing up every week-end and are making the free store work for us all.
For those who are visiting our depot for the first time thank you for taking the time to read our signage and pre sorting your clean recyclables. It is with your help that we can recycle as much as possible.
The recycling committee has decided to increase the garbage tipping fees for bags during the summer rush again this season. It proved successful last year in generating enough revenue to hire some extra staff to deal with the increase in traffic. Summer prices will increase as follows:
Small Bag 16 ½” x 20”(42x51cm) Kitchen Catcher Style Bag………………….$1.50
Medium Bag 26” x 36”(66x91cm) Regular Garbage Bag……………………….$3.00
Large Bag 31”x 42” (78x107cm) Construction/Gardening Bag………..………..$5.00
This pricing schedule will commence the second weekend in June till the Labour Day weekend.
The depot has received their shipments of ”Green Cones”. They are a Food Waste Digester. Tried and tested for 15 years, the Food Waste Digesters accept all types of food including raw and cooked meat or fish and bones. Using a Food Waste Digester immediately reduces the amount of waste collected from your home by up to 30% These Food Waste Digesters are available at the depot for an introductory price of $115.50. The Food Waste Digester should be used along side your regular composter dealing with the food waste while you regular composter would deal with other compostables materials
The regular black style composter are also available for $45.00 each.
Members of the recycling committee, HIRRA and Drew Hadfield from the Regional District have had a meeting selecting “Chadwin Engeneering” from Nanaimo as the engineering firm to be designing the needed improvement plan for the Hornby Island Recycling Depot. To our knowledge no engineering firm from Hornby Island submitted a proposal. The current estimate to begin site improvements is September of this year. We have been told that all work needed to be done at the depot will be put out to tender. We also have been told that ideas such as reusing the recently purchased roof of our depot in the new structure are very welcome.
Another reminder that there “IS” a charge for large items left at the depot. If you bring furniture, mattresses, lawn chairs, arm chairs, tables, couches, washers, dryers, water heaters, fridges, stoves, kitchen islands, sideboards, beds, chest of drawers, and any other big items;
“PLEASE PAY FOR THEIR DISPOSAL!”
Thanks to those who already do.
As well in an attempt to increase waste diversion and reduce the amount of waste we send to the land fill the committee has decided that the recycling centre will dismantle mattresses and box springs instead of sending them to land fill. The wood and metal in these mattresses will be re-used and/or recycled. The remaining material will be land filled. The extra man hours for this procedure will be covered by a raise in the tipping fees for mattresses and box springs to $15.00 per unit. Futons and foam mattresses are not part of this program. Since we started this program in the beginning of this year we have dismantled 20 box springs and/or mattresses so far and diverted the amount we sent to the land fill.
…..Stani
March 2009 Notes from the Depot…………..
Just some numbers for those who find them interesting. In 2008 the Hornby Island Recycling Depot carted 113,120 kg of construction waste off the island and 115,690 kg of household waste. Eight forty yard bins of recyclable materials where shipped to the recyclers. 28 tons of scrap metal was picked up by Walkers Scrap Metal providing a revenue of $883. That includes 120 fridges and freezers that had their Freon removed prior to crushing and disposal. We shipped 20 pallets of computers, monitors, TV’s and peripherals to the electronics recycler. We shipped approximately 20,470 refundables containers of island generating $13446. We increased the glass pile by approximately another 11 yards. We transported close to 10,000 bottles of milk of the island. We shipped roughly a hundred large bags of clothing to the Salvation Army in Courtenay. 220 propane tanks where collected and shipped to viper fuels to have them recycled. 2000 litre of used oil where picked up by the oil recycler New-Alta.
We have met with the new Manager of Solid Waste for the Comox Valley Regional District a Mr. Drew Hadfield and are looking forward to be working with him on the necessary upgrades at the recycling centre.
For those who where away throughout the winter, a note that a price structure for the various garbage bags we see at the depot has been introduced. The list as follows: Small Size 16½ x 20" (42 x 51 cm) are $1.25. These are the “Kitchen Catchers” style bags. Medium Size: 26 x 36" (66 x 91 cm) are $2.50. These are the regular green garbage bags. Large Size 31 x 42" (78 x 107 cm) will be $4.00. These are the large orange garden and construction style bags
This price structure will allow the depot to charge more accurately for the garbage being deposited
Another reminder that there “IS” a charge for large items left at the depot. If you bring furniture, mattresses, lawn chairs, arm chairs, tables, couches, washers, dryers, water heaters, fridges, stoves, kitchen islands, sideboards, beds, chest of drawers, and any other big items;
“PLEASE PAY FOR THEIR DISPOSAL!”
Thanks to those who already do.
As well in an attempt to increase waste diversion and reduce the amount of waste we send to the land fill the committee has decided that the recycling centre will dismantle mattresses and box springs instead of sending them to land fill. The wood and metal in these mattresses will be re-used and/or recycled. The remaining material will be land filled. The extra man hours for this procedure will be covered by a raise in the tipping fees for mattresses and box springs to $15.00 per unit. Futons and foam mattresses are not part of this program.
The recycling committee will need a member for 2009. This should an important year for the recycling centre and we hope to finally plan the much needed restructure of the recycling centre. Anyone interested working with a great team on a great cause should contact HIRRA, a recycling committee member or myself
…….Stani
Febuary 2009
Notes from the Depot:
The Snow storm of 2008 will be remembered by many. It caused mayhem on the island and the depot was covered in a blanked of snow for three weeks. Thanks to Eben Walmsley for doing a tremendous job clearing the road to the depot.
The snow did some structural damage to the depot as well. We lost the roof to our tool storage shed, the propane bottle storage shed, the water supply cistern, our lean on shed for the refundable bottles, the office skylight, and most of our eaves. We will need to rebuild some of these structure in the months to come to be ready for the coming summer season.
This spring we will be able to make “Green Cone” available to he public. This is a food waste composter that works along side with your regular composter. It is especially designed to breakdown food scraps containing fish bones and other bones as well. More information bout the green cone is available at www.greencone.ca
In an attempt to increase waste diversion and reduce the amount of waste we send to the land fill the committee has decided that the recycling centre will dismantle mattresses and box springs instead of sending them to land fill. The wood and metal in these mattresses will be re-used and/or recycled. The remaining material will be land filled. The extra man hours for this procedure will be covered by a raise in the tipping fees for mattresses and box springs to $15.00 per unit. Futons and foam mattresses are not part of this program.
We have also decided to introduce a price structure for the various garbage bags we see at the depot. The list as follows:
Small Size 16½ x 20" (42 x 51 cm) are $1.25. These are the “Kitchen Catchers” style bags.
Medium Size: 26 x 36" (66 x 91 cm) are $2.50. These are the regular green garbage bags.
Large Size 31 x 42" (78 x 107 cm) will be $4.00. These are the large orange garden and construction style bags
This price structure will allow the depot to charge more accurately for the garbage being deposited.
The Comox Valley Regional District has recruited a Mr. Drew Hatfield as Manager of Solid Waste. Upon his arrival the terms of reference for the Hornby Island Recycling Centre “upgrade” will be released.
Another reminder that there “IS” a charge for large items left at the depot. If you bring furniture, mattresses, lawn chairs, arm chairs, tables, couches, washers, dryers, water heaters, fridges, stoves, kitchen islands, sideboards, beds, chest of drawers, and any other big items;
“PLEASE PAY FOR THEIR DISPOSAL!”
Thanks to those who already do.
The recycling committee will need a new member for 2009. This should an important year for the recycling centre and we hope to finally plan the much needed restructure of the recycling centre. Anyone interested working with a great team on a great cause should contact a recycling committee member or myself.
…….Stani
December 2008
Notes from the Depot…….
At the recent Coast Waste Management Conference in Courtenay witch committee members Ilze Raudzins and Kathy Sauve and myself attended major issues addressed where:
- The $ value of the commodity “RECYCLING” has dropped with the current global financial crises.
- Single stream recycling is most successful (This is what we’ve done on Hornby Island for 30 years)
- All Vancouver Island Regional Districts will be raising their tipping fees in 2009. Comox Valley Regional District is planning to raise their price 45% for regular household waste and up to 100 % for construction and demolition waste.
It was stressed be several speakers that RECYCLING a product into a new raw material requires far less energy than producing it from scratch.
To increase waste diversion and reduce the amount we send to the land fill the committee has decided to dismantle and recycle mattresses and box springs instead of sending them to land fill as a whole unit. Starting t in the New Year the wood and metal in these mattresses will be re-used /recycled. The remaining material will be land filled. Extra man hours for this procedure will be covered by a raise in the tipping fees for mattresses and box springs to $15.00 per unit. Futons, foam rubber mattresses are not affected.
The committee has decided to introduce a price structure for the various garbage bags we see at the depot. The list as follows:
Small Size 16½ x 20" (42 x 51 cm) are $1.25. These are the “Kitchen Catchers” style bags.
Medium Size: 26 x 36" (66 x 91 cm) are $2.50. These are the regular green garbage bags.
Large Size 31 x 42" (78 x 107 cm) will be $4.00. These are the large orange garden and construction style bags
This price structure will allow the depot to charge more accurately for the garbage being deposited and will commence in the New Year.
The proposed price increase by the Regional District would increase the bag prices according to the Regional Districts price increase and has yet to be determined.
The management and committee chair attended a meeting with the Regional District on November 18th 2008 at witch we where informed that a tender will be issued in December 2008 for a consulting engineer to work on a needs assessment for the depot. No capital improvements will be made until this assessment is completed. This seals the issue of a glass pulverizer at the depot in the near future.
Current steel prices have dropped considerably and the depot no longer reaps the financial rewards it enjoyed . With the improvement in the global economy the steel prices, without a doubt, will change again.
Another reminder that there “IS” a charge for large items left at the depot. If you bring furniture, mattresses, lawn chairs, arm chairs, tables, couches, washers, dryers, water heaters, fridges, stoves, kitchen islands, sideboards, beds, chest of drawers, and any other big items;
PLEASE PAY FOR THEIR DISPOSAL!
Thanks to those who already do.
Finally now that this year come to a close, a warm thanks to all who have made 2008 a great year at the depot. Thanks to all the volunteers who keep the free store running even in this cold season. Thank you to the committee who forge on every meeting to make your depot a better place. Thanks to everyone at HIRRA for their support, guidance and encouragement. Thank you to the amazing staff. We could not do it without you. And thank you to you, the user for being part of the solution.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…………….
………Stani
November 2008
Notes from the depot……..
Fall is here and the Recycling Depot Committee is in budget mode and we are comparing/preparing numbers for the 2009 Budget. To date we transported 131,200 kg regular of waste of our Island. We send 120,820 kg of construction waste of the island.
This large volume of construction waste surpasses the estimated budged for construction waste . We colleted 49 tones of scrap metal for $1544.70. We shipped four forty yard bins of recyclables and $4132.25 worth of refundable so far.
The 50 cent price per bag increase generated approximately $4250.00 enabling us to hire the extra needed staff this summer.
This years fund raisers raised over $2000.00 so far.
There are is a growing concern that many of the bags that are deposited in the “Absolute Garbage Bin” contain recyclables; and much of “Frees Store” drop off’s should have been deposited in the “Absolute Garbage”. This type of public leads to low morale by the volunteers in the “Free Store“. The “Free Store” can only accept items that are in good working order. Any clothing needs to washed before it is deposited in the “Free Store” Please remember that the “Free Store” is run by volunteers and not paid staff. Once they have had enough rummaging through filthy dirty clothing and decide to stay home; there will be no “Free Store” regardless if the Regional District supports it or not.
There has been discussion to hire a “MONITOR” to help curb such activities. This would be part-time position with work through out the year. This person would be doing spot checks at the garbage bins, informing the public in the proper recycling/waste deposit procedure, and would move about the “Free Store” advising the public.
Note that there is a nominal charge for all furniture items left at the “Free Store including mattresses, box-springs, couches, chairs, tables and large appliances.
The committee, management and members of HIRRA executive met with the outgoing Manager of operations Jennifer Brunn of the RD and her interim replacement Michael Zbarsky to discuss upgrades at the recycling depot recommended by the safety audit the depot was subjected to on September 11 2006. She informed us that a tender will be put out to hire an engineer who will present a site plan/cost estimate within this fiscal year and with the recycling committees/community’s involvement. No capital improvements will be made currently.
Maintaining the depot with no capital funding has pushed the site maintenance part of the operating budged over its estimate and more money is for necessary improvements next year.
A video surveillance system was requested to monitor the depots of hour activities; but the request was rejected.
HIRRA requested we research the possibilities to assist residents in the removal of derelict vehicles. The issue remains the cars’ fluids. Vehicles void of fluid it could be shipped off the island 6 at a time. This could be done with very little cost.
The depot has been approached to make the Green Cone available for sale a the depot. It is a food waste double walled composter that used passive solar to speed up the decomposition process. It is designed as a food waste composter to work along with your garden waste composter.
…….Stani
October 2008 Notes From the Depot....
Congratulations to Patty Tsurumi and S. Muggs the winners of the wood raffle fund raiser. Thanks to all who participated. Thanks to everyone who stooped by our table at the fall fair ans said hello.
The Recycling Committee and Management will be working on our 2009 budged Presentation later this year. In this we plan to address some major site improvements to resolve issues that where brought to our attention in the 2006 safety audit. Plans to to meet with the Regional District on these improvements are in the making.
We will be attending the 2008 annual Coast Waste Management Association Conference this October. This year it is held in Courtenay and goes from October 29 – 31. This promises to be and informative event with many examples close to home. A presentation from Pigeon Lake is on the agenda as well. This is where the islands waste is transported to.
Note that when bringing bulky items to the free store there is a nominal charge for those items. Ninety percent of bulk items left at the free store end up in the waste bin. So please remember when you bring up these items that there is a nominal charge to cover the cost of removing it from the Island.
It was brought to the attention of the committee that there may be the one or two individuals that bring salvaged materials from the depot to their homes and stockpile them. We were asked if we could control/police this behavior. It is not in our mandate to do so. We would like to encourage recycling at all levels. We would however to ask you to keep the environment in mind when you are stockpiling materials at home and not let them disintegrate into the everyones water table.
Depot vandalism is way down since labour day. Summer is definitely over and we will resume to lover staffing levels for the winter.
Thank you to who ever returned the slow down sign to the depot. It is very much appreciated and we are happy that it was returned.
Thank you. ............Stani
September 2008 Notes from The Depot....
Congratulations Hornby your Recycling Depot celebrates its thirtieth birthday on Labour Day 2008. Well-done Hornby. While other communities are struggling with their waste management philosophies Hornby has led the way in recycling for thirty years now and is an inspiration to many a municipality. This summer alone we had inquiries from, Edmonton Alberta, Port Alberni BC, Lasqueti Island BC, the City of Vancouver BC, Malcolm Island BC, Gibsons BC and New York New York. The stone was thrown into the Pacific 30 years ago and the ripples are still reaching far. Way to go Hornby and thank YOU for takind the extra time and effort it takes to make the islands recycling depot what it is today. Thanks to all the volunteers past and present that have taken time out their lives spend it at the depot instead of the beach.
Speaking of volunteers they have asked me to let everyone know that the Free Store can only make use of items that are clean and in good working order. The Free Store’s focus is on the “Reuse” of clothing and other household items and not on “Recycling” worn out clothing and broken household items. There simply is not the room or manpower to do that.
This summer we had freon removed from 130 fridges and freezers, crushed them and shipped them to the metal scraper in five 40 foot dumpsters. We transported 10 six foot high pallets of TV’s and computer monitors to Encorp in Nanaimo.100 gallons of latex paint was shipped to the Product Care Centre in Comox. We transported 10 dumpsters of absolute garbage, eight dumpsters of construction waste, and four dumpsters of recyclables of the island. In the middle of August the free store seemed almost empty proving that the Re-Use concept is well and alive here on Hornby Island.
The new T-Shirt design by Elizabeth Macdonald is a hit. Many where sold during the summer working down the Biffy’s debt. In the fundraising spirit we will be attending the Hornby Island Fall Fair. We will have raffle tickets for firewood and T-Shirts available for sale.
The depot would also like to use this opportunity to thank our summer staff for making this summer a success. We had a great team of enthusiastic individuals working hard in the depots spirit. Thank you Deb, Scott, Mark, and Charlie.
Thanks to Charlie as well for doing the art work for the Hornby Island 30 year pin. It looks great.
As a final note ; Signage from the road to the depot asking drivers to slow down has been stolen. These where two beautiful signs made by Elizabeth Macdonald and are necessary to remind our users to slow down. Would anyone who knows the whereabouts of these signs please help to have them find their way back to the depot.
………..Stani
June 2008 - Notes from the depot….
The Hornby Island Recycling Depot would like to thank all who applied for the summertime positions at the depot. The turnout was great and thanks to all applicants. Unfortunatly we are only able to accept a few persons, but thanks again to all who applied.
A reminder that the tipping fee for absolute garbage has increased to $3.00 per bag and will come back down to $2.50 in the off-season.
As of May 15th 2008 the Comox Valley Regional District will be charging $150.00 per tonne for any loads containing recyclable materials. These include all household recyclables such as tin, glass, plastic, cardboard, paper, magazines, scrap metal, tires, clean wood waste and brush. Since our current system is an honor system we have little control of what is being recycled and what is not. This could put us into a situation where if our waste is not free of recycled materials we would have to pay $150.00 per tonne as apposed to the regular $65.00 per tonne, and thus requiring more funding than we had allocated in the budget for tipping fees. Please consider this when you are tossing your trash.
Although we will accept your old computers and TVs, you would help out the depot by bringing them to the Courtenay Return Centre at 1255 McPhee Avenue in Courtenay the next time you are off island. They will take these items free of charge and you will have done the depot a great service by dropping these items of yourselves.
There was new graffiti spray painted Easter weekend. Along with the standard tossing of free store items on the floor, remnants of a fire in the free store where found on May 3rd. On Monday May 5th, 2008 the cash window was smashed. Nothing was taken this time, but the constant vandalism and the potential of “serious” damage to our depot are threatening the free access to the depot that islanders are enjoying currently. Cherish the freedom that you have been given before it is taken away. The depot belongs to us all and we all have to take care of it if it is to remain the free spirited place it is. It is in your hands.
The volunteers in the free store would request that all items that are dropped of to the free store are in good working order, the clothing clean, shoes should be in good condition, toys should be complete and playable. There is limited room and limited time to sort though the goods and help on your part is needed to make the free store the success it is.
Elizabeth Macdonald has designed a new T-Shirt for the depot annual fundraiser. Put yourself into some cool depot wear this summer and help out the depot at the same time.
We have tickets for our wood raffle at the depot. The first and second price are one tcord of Hornby Island Fir firewood each, which was generously donated by HIRRA. There are only 450 tickets printed so the chances for winning are great. Tickets are only $2.00 each. The draw will be made on September 13th 2008 during the fall fair at Olson’s Farm. It’s an easy way to get your hands on some firewood for the winter.
Last but not least we would like to thank you for the response to the “Glass Recycling(Crushing) Presentation” at the May HIRRA meeting. We will continue to investigate the possibilities, requirements, and the feasibility to introduce a Glass Recycling(Crushing) system here on Hornby Island.
…Stani
June 2008
May 2008 - Notes from the depot….
Another reminder that the tipping fees for absolute garbage will increase to $3.00 per bag next month and come back down to $2.50 in September. The increase of traffic during these three months is felt by all Islanders and as well at the depot. Our trips to the pigeon lake landfill jump from twice monthly to twice weekly in these months. The tourism we are enjoying on the Island requires the depot respond with higher staffing levels and more shipping off island thus generating more costs. Cost that are reflected in everyone’s taxes. So we try to offset those cost by increasing the tipping fees rather then increase the revenue we require from the taxpayer. Tipping fees are only applied on the waste that is deposited at the depot and with the focus on the “planet” more and more recycling is being done; free of charge to the user. The cost of recycling is completely absorbed by revenue generated from taxes. With the current system in place, the more we recycle, the higher is the revenue required from taxes.
With this in mind the recycling depot would like to ask all visitors to Hornby Island to come and enjoy the free store but please take the packaging from goods you brought to the island back with you.
Tickets for the wood raffle are available at the office. It has been decided by the committee that all proceeds will go to “Free Store Upgrades”.
A new depot T-Shirt design has been created by Elizabeth Macdonald and new T shirts will be available soon. Funds raised from these T-Shirts will be used to pay back HIRRA for the cost of the Biffy.
The committee has decided to accept trailers for a fee starting at $100.00 per trailer. This is the base rate for a small trailer and will increase with the size of the trailer. The trailers must be empty. Additional cost will apply if they are not. The $100.00 fee is designed to cover the cost of dismantling the trailer and shipping its debris of Island.
A note on compostables in the waste stream. Whenever possible do not trash your compostables. The best thing you can do is compost it in your very own composter, available at the depot for only $45.00. The next best thing you can do is dump it into the depots compost pile for free. No meat of fish please. Please remember by trashing your compostables you are not only increasing the amount of trash we have to ship to the landfill; but you are also contributing in creating greenhouse gases. The methane that is created by rotting compostables in landfills is twenty times more harmful to the environment than the carbon monoxide coming out of a cars tail pipe. Not only does proper composting save you some money in tipping fees, it also helps out our planet.
Thanks again to all those volunteers out there the recycling depot and free store work. Your work is appreciated.
…..Stani
May 2008
April 2008 - Notes from the depot….
The Hornby Island Recycling Depot is looking for additional staff to help with the influx of recycling the depot sees during the summer months. If you are interested joining our energetic team of recyclers this summer, drop of your resume at the free post or come and see us at the depot. We are offering $15.00/hour for the material handlers positions available at the depot.
A reminder that the tipping fees for absolute garbage will increase to $3.00 per bag in the summer months and come back down to $2.50 in the off season.
Jed of Pacific Arbor Care will be at the depot on Sunday April 20 to chip branches. No yard rakings please. These may contain small stones that could damage the chipper. Thanks to Jed for volunteering his time and services to us. This is a free event but donations are encouraged.
The depot is still looking for some gardening volunteers to keep our community garden in shape. Any one who would like to spearhead this task can talk to us at the depot or leave us note in the free post.
At the recent budget presentation the Comox Valley Regional District held at the community hall on March 18, 2008 it was announced that the recycling budget wich was approved by HIRRA‘s membership, was not accepted in its entirety by the CVRD. The CVRD objected to paying $600.00 for the capital expenditure required to upgrade our Biffy. If there are any readers out there who can afford a $600.00 donation, the depot could use one right now. (Just kidding) Otherwise the budget was accepted in its entirety.
The CVRD also announced their plans to conduct a needs assessment of Hornby Island’s Recycling Depot in the near future. We will keep you updated as things progress.
For those who are wanting to go of island, April 19th will be host to many Earth Day events at the exhibition grounds and compost education site on headquarters road. The Regional District is also sponsoring a Comox Valley Household Hazardous Waste Event on April 19th at the Driftwood Mall from 10 am to 4 pm. The RD will be enlisting the services of HAZCO Environmental Services to manage this event. There will also be an Earth Day special bus providing transit service between the driftwood mall and Earth Day Family Festival from 9am to 3 pm on that day. So take your household hazardous waste with you and easy the load on the Recycling Depot.
Recently in the Nanaimo Garbage & Recycling Schedule it was noticed that Nanaimo only has one day of collection per week. Likewise most of Canada. Hornby Island Recycling however is open to the public three days a week and even four days a week in the summer. A great service to the user. Also do we open our doors from 9am till 1pm; giving the user four hours deposits their waste. However; there are some who ignore these opening hours and decide to dump their waste at the bottom gate or walk it up and drop it in front of the closed dumpsters. Then animals rip open the bags and make a mess that the staff is left with to clean up etc. bla bla bla . We would like to ask everyone’s co-operation in depositing their waste only during our opening hours.
Thank You ! …….. to those who do.