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GREEN ACTIVITIES
The following is a list of some of the exciting initiatives being carried out by different groups in the Terrace Bay and Schreiber region to improve our environment. Also, below is a list of some GREEN websites, regional GREEN product/service companies, and various GREEN resources to help residents and businesses learn about ways they can lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
June 2010 - Composting Class Held
Serg Co-op Inc held a composting class for 9 residents that featured theoretical and practical information on how to start your own backyard composting system. Participants were shown different techniques and equipment they could use generously donated by Terrace Bay Home Hardware. As well, samples were donated from BB Worm Factories from Schreiber of worm castings generated from vermicomposting. For more information, visit www.serg.ca.
April 2010 - Green Tradeshow a Success!
The 2010 Green Tradeshow held on Saturday, April 24 from 12pm to 4pm was a great success. The Tradeshow had over 800 people in attendance, 72 exhibitor tables, and raised close to $4,000 for local community groups, schools and charities. Exhibitors booths encompassed the many shades of green including renewable energy, green products/services, gardening, composting, recycling, and healthy living. Delicious food was provided as a fundraiser by the Kids Corral Child Care Centre and Lions Club. Hydro One graciously donated 500 compact fluorescent light bulbs to the first 500 visitors. For more information visit the Green Tradeshow webpage which features a photo gallery, video, and wrapup. Planning Committee Chair Sean Irwin would like to thank the amazing efforts of the volunteer planning committee and Katimavik group, the support of our sponsors the Township of Terrace Bay, Serg Co-op Inc., Ontario News North, and AZMPC, and the incredible efforts of the exhibitors and presenters who made the show such a great success.
March 2010 - Recycling of Lights, Batteries, and Cellphones!
Terrace Bay Home Hardware, in partnership with the Township of Terrace Bay, EcoSuperior, Ontario Power Generation, and the Call 2 Recycle Program now offer a drop off point for 'free' recycling of the following:
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Tubes, Rechargeable Batteries, and Cellphones
Residents can bring these materials to Terrace Bay Home Hardware during regular business hours and they will be sent away to the proper recycling facilities. The products should be in reasonable shape and shattered bulbs or tubes will not be accepted.
Handling of Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Tubes
Compact fluorescent bulbs and tubes contain trace amounts of Mercury and they should be handled with care. However, if a bulb or tube shatters, the following steps should be taken: open the windows and let the room air out for 15-30 minutes, then remove as much material as possible without a vacuum cleaner. Using disposable gloves, scoop the glass onto a piece of cardboard and wipe the area with a wet paper towel. For smaller pieces of glass and powder, use duct tape to pull up the fragments and wash your hands after cleaning up the debris.
Electronic and Hazardous Waste
The Township of Terrace Bay is planning on again organizing an annual Special Waste Recycling Day and residents should take advantage of it in Fall 2010 for the following products: paints and stains, single use batteries, car batteries, propane tanks, pesticides, fertilizers, computers, monitors, televisions, fax machines, printers, and computer peripherals like mice, keyboards, and wires.
March 2010 - Earth Hour Coming Up!
On March 27th at 8:30 pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for an hour to demand action on climate change. But that's just the beginning. Every hour, Canadians are taking small steps to lessen their impact on the environment. From hanging your clothes to dry to taking transit to work, those small steps add up to huge changes for the better. Get inspired by others who are living Earth Hour every hour, and tell your story. For more information visit www.wwf.ca/earthhour/ and sign up.
October 2009 - Special Waste Recycling Day Held
A special waste recycling day will be held on Saturday October 17, 2009 from 11am to 3pm at the Tourist Information Centre. Residents will be able to bring eligible materials and their original containers to the special event dropoff depot where they will be handled by trained professionals and then transported awat to be recycled. Eligible Hazardous Materials include: paints and coatings and their containers, single use batteries, solvents and paint strippers, used oil filters, oil containers of 30 liters or less, anti-freeze, pressurized containers such as propane tanks, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides & containers. Eligible Electronic Waste includes: computers, computer monitors (CRT & LCD) CPUs, laptops, televisions, desktop printers, fax machines and peripherals (keyboards, mice, cables, and disk drives). This is open to residents only. Please do not bring any materials not included in the above lists.To download a copy of the flyer, please
click here. This initiative is part of Terrace Bay Councils 2007-2011 strategic plan and isin partnership with Stewardship Ontario, Ontario Electronic Stewardship, the Lake Superior Binational Forum, and Eco Superior. For more information contact Sean Irwin at 825-3315, 231 or s.irwin@terracebay.ca.
May 2009 - How Much is Idling Your Car Costing You?
Having your car idle to warm up or cool off has significant costs to you and the environment. The City of Pickering has developed an excellent website that allows you to measure how much your daily idling is impacting you and the air quality in your area. Click on the Sustainable Pickering link to measure your impact.
May 2009 - Free E-Waste Recycling in Thunder Bay
Residents throughout Northwestern Ontario
can now recycle their old television sets and laptops free of charge in Thunder Bay. Pack Pros Plus has recently been certified by the Ontario Electronic Stewardship for the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment program. The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Environment, and allows residents to drop off their e-waste at
no cost (regional residents are responsible to transport materials to Thunder Bay themselves without compensation). Pack Pros Plus will accept the following e-waste: destop computers, laptop computers, periphals such as mice, keyboards, disk drives, desktop printers, fax machines, televisions and computer monitors. Televisons and computer monitors need to be intact without broken screens to be accepted. Pack pros Plus is located at 1439 Rosslyn Road and its hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30am until 5:00pm. The company's phone number is (807) 344-8799 or toll-free (866) 344-8799 and its email address is
info@packprosplus.com.
May 2009 - Green Tradeshow a Huge Success
The 2009 Green Tradeshow was held in Terrace Bay on Saturday May 2, 2009 and it drew a crowd. The event had over 700 people in attendance from throughout the region with visitors coming from Marathon, Wawa, Geraldton and Thunder Bay. The Tradeshow also raised 10 large boxes full of food donations for the North Shore Harvest Food Cupboard and financial donations for the Food Cupboard, the Navy League, the Catholic Womens League, and the Kids Corral Centre. There were over 55 exhibitor tables encompassing the many shades of green including: alternate energy, composting, healthy living, fuel efficient vehicles, government rebate programs, and environmentally friendly products and services. The Planning Committee Chair Sean Irwin said he was extremely proud of the commitment of the volunteer planning committee and the food and funds raised for various community groups will go a long way. For more information on the event, people can visit
www.serg.ca and click on the Green Tradeshow link which has pictures and information on the exhibitors in attendance.
April 2009 - Increased Home Renovation Grants
The Federal and Provincial governments have increased grant amounts available under the EcoEnergy program for homeowners by 25%. The grants can be used to carry out home renovations aimed at improving energy efficiency including adding insulation, replacing furnaces or air conditioners, new windows, and many more. The grants are also in addition to the recently announced home renovation tax rebate in the 2009 Federal Budget. For more information contact Canspec Inspection Services or EcoSuperior in Thunder Bay or meet a representative at the 2009 Green Tradeshow
March 2009 - Recycling in Terrace Bay
The Township of Terrace Bay is continuing to develop a means to provide recycling throughout the Township. In the past 12 months, extensive research on the process, funding partners, and regional service providers has been carried out. A regional recycling study was begun in March 2009 with an expected completion date of June 2009. This study will then provide recommendations and options for Council to consider in its evaluation of offering this service. Research will also be conducted at the 2009 Green Tradeshow with a questionnaire to better understand the needs of residents. If you are a local business that would like to inquire about providing this service, please
contact us
.
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October 2008 - Great Refrigerator Roundup
Hydro One is running a promotion whereby they will take away refrigerators that are older than ten years and save you the cost of running an inefficient appliance. For more information and/or to book an appointment, visit www.everykilowattcounts.com/roundup or call 1-877-797-9473.
October 2008 - Enjoy The Energy Wise Tour
The Superior Renewable Energy Co-operative (SREC) and its partners have organized a tour of different homes, businesses, and facilities in Thunder Bay. The tour will take place on October 4th from 10:00am to 4:00pm and will highlight energy efficient technologies as they are being practised in buildings and vehicles. Pricing ranges from $25/person to $10/person and for more information download the event poster or visit SREC. |
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September 2008 - Recycle Used Eye Wear
The Canada Post Corporation located in Simcoe Plaza is a drop-off point for used eye glasses on behalf of the "Lions Recycle for Sight" initiative. If you have used eye wear please utilize this service and tell your friends!!!
September 2008 - Smart Meters
Hydro One has sent out notices that it will be installing Smart Meters throughout Terrace Bay this week. Residents and businesses may experience a slight outage while they are being installed. Smart meters allow Hydro One to receive real time wireless updates on how much power is being consumed by a home or business. This provides for a more accurate reading and the future use of time-of-use pricing. Time of use pricing is expected to be introduced shortly after the 2010 deadline for installing the smart meters. It will involve different electricity pricing at different times of day and season to promote using energy at off-peak hours and reduce the peak demand levels. For more information visit the Smart Meters website.
August 2008 - Energy Meter available for lending from Public Library
The Terrace Bay Public Library now has available for lending an energy meter! The device, which can be signed out for a five day loan period, connects to your home appliances and tells you how much electricity that appliance is using. Great for homeowners who are trying to reduce their electric energy consumption and bill! The Library strives to be "Green" through recycling where it can, turning off lights when not in use and the use of energy efficient fluorescent bulbs, as well as using power savers on our computers and photocopier. WIth the purchase of the energy meter for its patrons to use, the Library is encouraging and helping everyone to do their best! For more information contact the Library at 825-3315 ext. 222.
June 2008 - Community Planting Day
Through the assistance of an Environmental Grant, Ecole Franco Terrace and St. Martin School worked together with staff and parent volunteers to create a 'green' schoolyard. This was done through joint planning and the planting of trees and shrubs throughout the property. Feel free to drive past the school and take a look at their hard work.
April 2008 – Clothing Drive
A clothing drive by Terrace Bay public school and the Canadian Diabetes Association resulted in 96 garbage bags of clothing being received from the community.
March 2008 - Earth Hour
Earth Hour was observed on March 29th with residents and businesses turning off their lights from 8:00pm to 9:00pm.
February 2008 - Reinvention of SERG
The Sustainable Energy Resource Group (SERG) Co-op Inc. has been re-established with a new board of governors and a mission to develop and promote local sustainable green energy initiatives in the region. For more information on the organization and its future plans or ways you can help out, visit www.serg.ca
October 2007 – February 2008 GREEN workshops
The Schreiber Training Centre organized one day courses on Solar Power, Wind Power, Home Energy Conservation and Green Building & Renovations that were taught by Hubert Den Draak from the Nolalu Eco Centre. Class sizes averaged approximately 20 persons and feedback from participants was quite positive.
October 2007 - Introduction of Reusable Bags
In response to growing demand, local businesses have begun offering reusable shopping bags for purchase by customers.
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September 2007 - GREEN tradeshow
The GREEN tradeshow was held at the Schreiber Training Centre with approximately 300 persons in attendance from Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Rossport, and the region. Regional experts on energy efficient technologies gave presentations and answered questions from residents and businesses. |
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September 2007 - Terrace Bay Pulp CoGen Ground Breaking
Ground breaking ceremonies were held at the site where a condensing steam turbine will be installed to generate electricity utilizing the current pulp making process. The project, which has received immense support from the Government of Ontario, should go a long way to making Terrace Bay Pulp energy self-sufficient and cut down on the use of non-renewable resources.
Jackfish Bay - Area of Concern
The Jackfish Bay Area of Concern is one of 43 Canadian and American Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) identified in the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. These areas are locations where environmental quality is significantly degraded, resulting in the impairment of beneficial uses for humans and wildlife. Beneficial use means the ability of living organisms to use the ecosystem without adverse conditions.
Jackfish Bay was designated an AOC because of restricted fish consumption, degraded fish and invertebrate populations, loss of fish habitat, and degraded aesthetics. The Jackfish Bay AOC consists of Blackbird Creek from the Terrace Bay pulp mill, including Lake "A" and Moberly Lake (Lake C), to Jackfish Bay proper in Lake Superior.
Actions to restore the beneficial uses in each AOC are guided by a specific Remedial Action Plan (RAP), developed by a Public Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local community members, in cooperation with federal and provincial agencies. For more information on the Jackfish Bay Area of Concern please visit the website at www.ecosuperior.org/forum
Eco Superior - partnership organization dedicated to the environment
Go Solar - education program by Clean Air Foundation
SERG - regional advocacy group for Top of Superior
SREC - Thunder Bay region advocacy group
ZWAT - Thunder Bay region group dedicated to eliminating waste
Green Website of the Month
To suggest a website be added to this list please email us.
Afortek
- experts/retailers of solar, biomass, electric bikes, etc
Five Forty - recycled textile handwoven rugs and jewelry
NatureMill
- indoor composter with a Thunder Bay dealer
To suggest a company be added to this list please
email
us.
To suggest a resource be added to this list please email us.
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