Northern Environmental Action Team Fort Nelson is claiming its place in the green revolution. Be sure to show your support to local businesses and keep toxic items out of the landfill.
Important Phone Numbers:
NEAT’s Green Directory– Fort Nelson Converting Awareness into Action!
Fall 2010
Bottle Drop Helps Local Charities With the help of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Wide Sky Disposal, local charities are getting a financial boost.
Local volunteers clean, sort and return the bottles donating proceeds to Fort Nelson Minor Hockey, Fort Nelson Senior Secondary Band and Hope Africa.
Last year, Wide Sky agreed to donate use of land beside their store to the benefit of local charities. NRRM stepped in and together, they put up a bottle drop bin.
To help, place clean cans and plastic bottles in the blue bin beside Wide Sky, 4903-49th Ave. Or call NRRM at (250)774-2541 to volunteer.
NEAT Fort Nelson 250-321-6328 NEAT Toll Free 1-888-689-6328
Local Environmental Contacts
BC Recycling hotline 1-800-667-4321
Antifreeze • Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528
Environmental Emergencies 1-800-663-3456 (antifreeze, oil, etc.)
Appliances • BC Hydro Fridge Buy Back (must be working) 1-866-516-4357 • Landfill (fees apply)
BC Hydro Fridge Buy Back 1-866-516-4357 Eco-Depot Fort St John 250-785-0300 1-866-913-3760 Encorp Pacific “Return It” 1-800-330-9767 Tire Stewardship BC 1-866-759-0488 Northern Rockies Regional Municipality 250-774-2541
Automotive Parts • Archie’s Auto Wrecking (250)774-3054 Batteries-Rechargeable • TELUS (Wireless Edge) (250) 774-6453 Batteries-Non-rechargeable • Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528 • TELUS (Wireless Edge) (250)774-6453 Batteries-Vehicle (small quantities) • Archie’s Auto Wrecking (250)774-3054
• Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528 Beverage Containers • Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528 • Overwaitea Foods (250)774-6830 • IGA Grocery Store (250)774-2791 Beverage Containers— Alcoholic Beverages • BC Liquor Stores (250)774-6757 • Dan’s Liquor Store (250)774-3414 • Woodlands Inn (250)774-6669 • Roadhouse Liquor Store (250)774-7622 .Books • Fort Nelson Public Library (250)774-6777 • Overwaitea Foods (250)774-6830
• Fort Nelson Literacy Society (250)774-4415 Bottle Depots-See Beverage Containers Bus Lines • Greyhound (250)774-6322 • Diversified Transportation Ltd. (250)774-3767 Cloth Bags • Down to Earth Health Shop (250)774-7203 • Goldfever (250)774-2871 Various grocery stores
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NEAT’s Green Directory
Local Environmental Contacts (Continued) Cell Phones • IDA Pharmacy (250)774-2323 • Fort Nelson Public Library (250)774-6777 • TELUS (Wireless Edge) (250)774-6453 Composters • NEAT Office (250)321-6328 • Hardware Stores Community Gardens • Fort Nelson Family Development Society (250)774-2596
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” - Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
Corn Gluten Meal • Down to Earth Health Shop (250)774-7203 • Various grocery stores Diapers-Cloth • Down to Earth Health Shop (250)774-7203 Eye Glass Recycling • Northern Vision Care (250)774-2020 Fair Trade Coffee • Capp a Lu’s Coffee House (250)774-7222 • Dan’s Neighborhood Pub (250)774-3929 • Down to Earth Health Shop (250)774-7203 Fence Rentals • Jazee Oil Services Ltd. (250)774-7205 • Finning (250)774-7275 • Ketek Industries Ltd. (250)774-6618 • Total Oilfield Rentals (250)774-2332 • U-haul (250)774-4949 Free For All www.peacecountryclassifieds.ca
Furniture • Fort Nelson Buy, Sell or Give Away (Facebook Page) • Fort Nelson Stuff www.fortnelsonstuff.com • Swap and Shop starlightmedia@theedge.ca Low-Flow Toilets and Shower Heads • Ed’s Building Supplies (250)774-6636 • Diemert Home Hardware (250)774-6303 • True Value Hardware (250)774-3206 Medications • IDA Pharmacy (250)774-2323 • Overwaitea Foods (250)774-6830 • Down to Earth Health Shop (supplement bottles) (250)774-7203 www.medicationsreturn.ca Metals • Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528 Thrift Store Behind the Catholic Church5311 Airport Drive. Saturdays only from 10-12 Tires • Kal Tire (250)774-7030 • Tirecraft (250)774-6372 • Archie’s Auto-Wrecking (250)774-3054 Oil, Oil Filters, Oil Containers • Husky Bulk Plant (250)774-7340 • Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528 www.usedoilrecycling.com/bc Office Supplies (Eco)
• OC Office Supplies (250)774-4499 Paint Depots • Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528 Phone Books • Local schools • Northwestel (250)774-1111 Plastic Bags
• Overwaitea Foods (250)774-6830 Printer Cartridges • TELUS (Wireless Edge) (250)774-6453 • Fort Nelson Public Library (250)774-6777 Propane Cylinders (Empty) • Neufeld Petroleum and Propane Ltd. (250)774-6111 Rental Companies • The Cat Rental Store (250)774-6812 • Normandeau Rentals (250)774-7806
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NEAT’s Green Directory
Hazardous Waste CFL bulbs contain small amounts of mercury and need to be recycled. CFL bulbs are accepted at Marcy’s Bright Ideas and the Eco-Depot in Fort St John.
Hazardous Waste (Household) • Hazco (250)774-3027 • Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528 Hazardous Waste (Industrial) • Wide Sky Disposal (250)774-6528 To find other locations, check productcare.org
Hazardous waste in landfills can leach into water supplies contaminating soil and air. Proper disposal is important.
Cadmium in batteries can dissolve and leach into soil and water, creating serious health concerns. Recycling batteries eliminates this risk.
Green Cleaners All Purpose Cleaners
“That’s the thing about Mother Nature, she doesn’t really care what economic bracket you’re in.”
1. Add 1/2 cup of Borax to a gallon of water. 2. Mix vinegar, castile soap & water.
Spot & Stain Removers 1. Coffee cup stains = moist salt 2. Coffee pot stains = mix salt & ice 3. Ink spots = cold water, 1 Tbsp cream of tartar, 1 Tbsp lemon juice. 4. Grease Removal = Borax on a damp cloth.
-Whoopi
Tub & Tile Cleaner
Goldberg
1. Mix equal amounts of vinegar & borax on a cloth. Rub on, rinse off.
2. Combine vinegar & baking soda on a cloth. Rinse well.
Oven Cleaner Drain Cleaner Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and baking soda. Quickly pour down the drain & cover. Let sit for 15 mins. Rinse with 2 quarts of boiling water. Follow with a plunger.
Fabric Softener 1. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda or vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Window Cleaner 1. Mix 2 Tbsp vinegar in 4 cups of water. 2. Mix 3 Tbsp ammonia, 1 cup vinegar & 2/3 cup of water in
Phone Books Northwestel has a Directory Recycling Program, where participating schools are rewarded with cash contributions for school activities and programs. Participating schools are: Chalo School (250)744-7651 Fort Nelson Secondary (250)774-6958
a spray bottle.
G.W. Carlson 250-774-6941 J.S.Clark Elementary 250-774-3145 R.L.Angus Elementary 250-774-2738 Phone books can also be dropped off at Northwestel (250) 774-1111.
Protect the oven floor with aluminum foil. Mix 2 Tbsp of liquid castile soap & 2 cups of warm water. Apply to the oven & let sit for 20 minutes. Scrub off. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of baking soda and water.
Microwave Cleaner Put 2 Tbsp of lemon juice in a bowl. Microwave for 2 mins. Wipe down inside of microwave. Careful, juice is HOT!
Converting Awareness into Action!
Green Shopping Tips Approximately 1/3 of household garbage is packaging and many of these items go straight to landfill. Especially in the north where recycling options can be limited, keep these tips in mind when cruising the aisles of the grocery store.. Phone: 250-321-6328 Toll Free: 1-888-689-6328 Fax: 250-785-6378 E-mail: info@neat.com
We’re online! www.neat.ca
1. Is the packaging necessary? Do your cucumbers need to be individually wrapped? Can you portion cookies yourself in reusable containers rather than buying a box with 12 individual packages inside? 2. Can the package be reused, refilled or recycled? Try not to purchase items that will end up in the landfill. Styrofoam and unnumbered plastics are not recyclable. Purchasing supplies in glass jars or plastic tubs that are reusable will reduce household waste.
3. Does the packaging or the product contain recycled content? Supporting producers that are making sustainable choices will further their ability to do more in the future. 4. Is the product going to last? Disposable items, even those that are recyclable, make up a large portion of our waste and consume vast resources. Disposable shopping bags, coffee cups and razors are just a few items that can easily be replaced with durable goods. 5. Can you grow it, make it or bake it yourself? 6. Can you get it bigger, in concentrate or in bulk? This reduces packaging and saves you money. Now that’s bang for your buck!
7. Is there an organic option? Choosing organic products reduces the toxic chemicals you are exposed to. 8. Can you buy it used? Purchasing a used item does not contribute to any new waste. 9. Buy as local as possible. Northern communities often have trouble purchasing local items. Choosing apples from the Okanagan rather than Chile is still making an environmentally minded choice to reduce product transport even though they aren’t grown in your backyard. 10. Are you being greenwashed? Products that claim to be “green” but don’t list their ingredients or have recognized endorsements probably aren’t.
Final Thoughts…... The Northern Environmental Action Team has been working to protect the environment in Northern British Columbia for the past two decades. During this time, we’ve learned a lot of things and celebrated some exciting milestones. That said, there’s still a long way to go. By far, the most important resource we have is you. You do not have to write a letter, join a club, or even go organic. All you need to do is ask yourself is two questions: 1. Why do I do A, B or C in this way? And 2. Can I reduce the impact of those actions? It is the small actions that make
a difference in many cases. Things as simple as switching to reusable lunch containers or carrying a travel mug can keep hundreds of single use containers out of the landfill each year. Installing low flow toilets or even fixing leaks (a running toilet can go through 12 m³ of water a day!) can make a big difference.
mental movement, is a undeniably effective way of reducing waste. It takes little effort and you hardly even have to leave the house. (Make sure you have a tight fitting lid to keep unwanted critters out!)
Reusable shopping bags are handy at any time, reducing plastic pollution and saving resources.
Over the past twenty years we have watched fads come and go, technology change and priorities shift. The one thing that has remained consistent in that time is the power one person has to make an effective and lasting difference. We urge you to join us, changing habits one by one. And if you need a little help along the way, we are always here to help.
Composting, although not the glamour sport of the environ-
Call us, we’d love to hear from you: 1-888-689-6328.
Switching to CFLs and making sure non-essential lighting is off is a super way to save energy.