Sustainable Red Deer
Getting from Guilty to Green
Do you feel sometimes feel guilty about not being 'green' enough?
Here's an opinion post that you might identify with, from Life As A Human.
Posted in General Sustainability by: lornedaniel 2010/03/09 0 Comments
City annouces environmental plan
City to develop environmental plan
The City of Red Deer will develop its first comprehensive Environmental Master Plan as a key step towards identifying, prioritizing and addressing Red Deer’s environmental issues.
City council approved to spend $200,000 within the 2010 operating budget on the planning document.
“We’re looking at an environmental master plan that will guide the city over the next 20 to 25 years,” said Environmental Services manager Tom Warder.
Warder said the city will look at a wide range of issues, including water and air quality, land resources and energy consumption.
The public will be asked to give input on concerns and priorities.
Extensive research will also be done on current corporate environmental initiatives and anticipated environmental regulatory requirements.
When it’s finished, the plan is expected to guide decisions on the design of major capital projects and infrastructure upgrades to anticipate future requirements.
The master plan didn’t receive unanimous approval.
Councillor Gail Parks voted against the plan because she said the city shouldn’t be spending so much during tougher economic times.
“The economic picture coming out of Ottawa is slow,” Parks said later. “Ultimately, we need that study but I thought it could wait.”
Parks said $40,000 of the budgeted amount will be tax-supported. The remainder would be utility funded through water, wastewater and waste management fees.
Overall, the Environmental Services Department has budgeted $54.7 million in total expenditures, $54.1 million in revenues, with a net tax levy of more than $600,000.
- Red Deer Advocate, Tuesday January 19, 2010
Posted in City Planning by: from Red Deer Advocate 2010/01/19 0 Comments
Mayor Flewwelling on Sustainability
We are pleased to announce that Mayor Morris Flewwelling will be joining City Manager Craig Curtis for the first ReThink Red Deer presentation of 2010. The Mayor and City Manager will provide information on steps that The City is taking to meet its sustainability goals.
Join us at the RDC Margaret Parsons Theatre on January 21 for a discussion.
Posted in City Planning by: lornedaniel 2010/01/11 0 Comments
Sustainable holiday season
Can we reduce seasonal waste?
Christmas has become such a commercialized occasion in our society that it generates massive amounts of waste. Take a look at the garbage piles alongside curbs a few days after the holidays. Check the stats on how many of those gift cards are never even redeemed - economic waste that produces nothing for the economy. Think about the overflow of food that, too often, gets discarded after our overfed bodies finally say "no more."
We are bombarded with millions of messages encouraging to express our love and generosity by spending as much as possible. When we think about it, though, love and generosity really don't have much to do with spending.
So this holiday season is an opportunity to rethink our actions in ways large and small. There are a number of sites that offer tips for the interested. Here are just a few of those hints:
- SNUB - 'Say No to Unwanted Bags' - take your own shopping bags rather than leaving the mall with half a dozen new plastic bags
- avoid overpackaged products - buy necessary foods and supplies in bulk where possible
- pre-sort the after-Christmas trash to reuse, recycle and compost as much as possible - aim to have the smallest trash pile in your neighbourhood after the holidays
- switch to reusable gift bags and boxes, eliminating paper wrap
- use a potted tree (trim it like a bonsai to keep it compact year-to-year) or if you need a 'traditional' tree buy one from a tree farm - they are shown to have less environmental impact than artificial trees
- consider family commitments to charitable donations in lieu of unnecessary gifts to people who really don't need more "stuff"
- when buying gifts and foods, buy locally produced as much as possible - both to support the local economy and minimize transportation impacts.
There are, of course, many more ideas - just Google "Christmas waste" or a similar term.
Posted in General Sustainability by: lornedaniel 2009/12/07 0 Comments
Where to take old electronics in Red Deer?
What do you do with outdated electronics?
It is an unfortunate fact that much electronic gear is obsolete within five years. Even when we try to hold onto older equipment and keep it running, software changes often force our hand. The IT industry has certainly taken the 'planned obsolescence' of the car industry a few steps further...
There are of course a number of charities that gather electronics for re-use and distribution to organizations or places in the world where they can still serve some useful purpose. If, however, you have dead electronics hanging around your home or office, don't throw them out with the trash.
In Red Deer, electronic equipment can be recycled at two locations:
Recycle Logic, 4645 - 62 St. (Riverside Industrial area), OR
City of Red Deer Waste Management Facility (on Delburne Road). Note that you have to be weighed in and out so that the facility can track the volume and types of materials coming in and out.
For more information on recycling in Alberta, visit Alberta Recycling Management.
Posted in Recycling & Waste Reduction by: lornedaniel 2009/11/24 1 Comments
