Holiday Magic

City Hall Does Christmas Up in Style!

I've just been to City Hall to get our volunteers settled in at their station by our Reuse Tree while the school choirs come and serenade everyone from 10 a.m. til 2 p.m. each day.

We're giving everyone who visits us there some blue bags and our Waste Branch web address: www.edmonton.ca/waste so they can check under "Publications" for the two instruction booklets for the Reuse Tree ornaments.

Later this week on that website, people will be able to check out some environmentally friendly Christmas suggestions.

If any of you have any suggestions or examples about how you make your holiday more "environmentally friendly", please think about sharing them with us.

Thanks! Karen, Mark, and Cecilia

Recycled holiday

Hey Folks,

Sometimes it is easy to forget about the "Master Recycler" part of our volunteer status. This is the best time of year to put on that hat and remind your friends and family about the importance of recycling used wrapping and packaging after the exchanging of gifts. Some special notes about items that are and are not recyclable:

Are recyclable:

• Wrapping paper
• Box board
• Cards
• Plastic packaging
• Cellophane wrapping
• Tissue paper

Are not recyclable:

• Foil wrapping paper
• Ribbons and bows
• Used paper plates
• Plastic cutlery
• Wax coated paper cups
• Wax paper

Many of these non-recyclable items are compostable or may be diverted at the Integrated Processing and Transfer Facility to be used as fuel for the future Waste to Biofuels Facility. So make sure you have both garbage and recycle bags at your Holiday festivities.

For a fun, packaging free holiday, consider giving the gift of an activity --like a tour for your whole family (10 people minimum) of the Edmonton Waste Management Centre and Materials Recovery Facility. Here is a video to get you inspired for recycling this holiday:

Shop til you Drop!

Have you heard? It's time to BUY!

The TV says you Want it!

The Radio says to Give it!

The Newspaper says it will help the economy!

Maybe you can plug this little tune into your brain before heading off to shop...





because the Earth is saying HEY! I just can't handle this anymore!!!

thanks to Suzy L for suggesting this, and best wishes to Suzy and Kevin on their engagement!

Vermicompost, a Living Soil Amendment

If you saw the November 19th facebook post you may still be wondering...

Whatcha gonna do with all that poo?

Here is a cool youTube video that if full of information to share...



Have you notices that there is now a link in the right column that will take you to all the branch videos on youTube? Check 'em out!

The Story of Electronics (2010)

The latest in the Story Of series:



...as one MC/R says "Makes me even prouder of GEEP and the city’s other waste initiatives..."

thanks to Maria for sending this in.