Louise McIntosh, owner operator of Bowen Waste, says that due to a high level of participation in the refundable beverage containers program at BIRD (Bowen Island Recycling Depot), has put $44,000 into the hands of local community groups in the past year. She says Bowen has also managed to achieve a landfill diversion rate of 72%, while the rest of the Vancouver region sits at a 61% diversion rate. The target for Metro Vancouver is 80% by 2020.
“I think this we can do this in part because as a small community we are conscious of one another’s habits. This contributes to a greater sense of social responsibility and participation among people,” says McIntosh. “I also think there are a lot of new residents on the island who are eager to bring their recyclables to the depot. What’s different about our system is that it’s sort of one-stop shopping. In the city, bottles get picked up at curbside, but if you want to recycle other household goods like electronics, batteries, or vacuum cleaners you may end up having to drive to three different locations.”
On the topic of vacuum cleaners, McIntosh says that on a monthly basis, islanders drop off between 25 and 30.
“The same goes for coffee makers and printers, and I expect this number will likely go up over time,” says McIntosh. “People need to understand that only a small portion of the materials within these things can actually be recycled. They are mostly plastic, which ends up being garbage.”
McIntosh says there are still many people who get upset when they bring items to the depot that can not be recycled.
“They ask me, why can’t you recycle that? My response is simply, why did you buy that? I think if we are serious about cutting the amount of garbage we produce, we should consider having some kind of conversation about consumption.”
This year, Bowen Waste collected, sorted and transported a total of 1,400 tonnes of product.
McIntosh says there will be a few small changes coming to the recycling depot and to the curbside pick-up service, and she wants to ensure that islanders are aware and understand them
UPCOMING CHANGES AT BOWEN WASTE
Organic waste bags: Until recently, bio-degradable bags to hold green bin waste were not allowed in the Metro Vancouver composting system. This changed at the end of December 2016. The kind of bag allowed is very specific (there is a number on them to indicate this), so don’t use any random biodegradable plastic bag you find. Louise McIntosh says she’s spoken with both the General Store and Building Centre to make sure they stock the correct products.
Closing time at BIRD: Staff is contemplating a procedural change to allow the depot to close at closing time. The gates to the depot may soon be shut 10 minutes prior to official closing time so that the people already in the depot can wrap up their business and staff can clean up without worrying about new customers.
Don’t cram your bins too full
The maximum weight for a garbage or compost bin is 40lbs. This is a Worker Safety issue
ETIQUETTE REMINDERS
Bring your bins right out to the street: McIntosh says that service has continued despite challenging weather, but Bowen Waste workers have found themselves climbing through snowbanks at times to access the bins.
Have your bins ready to go at 8am.
