- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor
What did we find on our first full day of Butt Blitzing? Besides a few thousand cigarette butts to send off for recycling, four buckets of litter and 19 returnable beer cans, we found some new acquaintances and lots of information.
We met four people who had spent the night outside or were about to – two with a tent and two with only sleeping bags and woven milk bag mats. One talked about the paper drives they used to have when he was a kid playing hockey. He helped pick up lighters and other recyclable waste, and warned us of the bio-hazard of the syringe (no needle) we were removing.
We met a man with a local business that receives shipments packed in styrofoam which he reluctantly has to throw in the garbage. He wants to know why Meaford, with little more than half our population, can recycle styrofoam.
We Waste Watchers know the answer – the will to do it. Transition Meaford proposed to the municipality a one-year pilot project of once a month styrofoam drop-off which they started in October 2021. In the first 15 months they had kept 881 kg. of styrofoam out of the landfill – the equivalent of 815 full garbage bags. “The upcycled styrofoam is the equivalent of 500 pieces of 8'x2'x 2” durable insulation panels – enough to insulate approximately three new homes.”
“In 2023, Council reviewed the program and have decided that the Municipality of Meaford will maintain year-round operation on the Styrofoam Depot until January 2026, when the program will be reviewed once again by the new council.” The municipal budget for this program does not, however, cover the cost of commercial or institutional users, so they will be required to cover the costs of recycling which is $25 per 2 cubic yard bag.
Laura Wood was also able to give our new friend some great advice to help his business neighbour who has been throwing her plant waste in the garbage for want of a composting option. Laura (who admits she now likes growing soil at least as much as growing plants) suggested he provide his neighbour with a five-gallon pail and lid (another commercial neighbour has lots) and take her easily compostable material home to his own compost pile for his wife's productive garden.
The wind kept us chasing litter in the afternoon. The gutters up 10th Street West were empty of the winter sand and garbage thanks to the City's streetsweepers that are out on their spring rounds. I was headed for the garbage pail on the south side to dump what I'd collected so far when I discovered an odd pile of textile waste. I contacted the City, and plans were made to pick that up.
When you see an issue on city property, let them know, online or by phone at 519.376.1440.
We have lots more to share, but we're off again in the sunshine to other corners of our community. This morning we'll be picking up butts where people leave them on their way into the hospital's “Smoke Free Zone”. An unintended consequence for sure, but one for which we hope there is a solution.
Join in any pick-up – just an hour makes a difference!
