Going beyond the Blue Box

A year-long joint fundraising campaign by St. Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital foundations has raised $10 million toward magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in both hospitals: $7.6 million will bring home the first MRI to St. Mary’s General Hospital, while $2.4 million has helped to upgrade the second MRI machine at Grand River Hospital.

Elmira church introduces TerraCycle program that collects items not covered by regular municipal recycling systems

Leah Gerber Observer Staff

SOME ITEMS NOT RECY-

CLABLE VIA the traditional Blue Box program can now be diverted via a new program in Elmira.

Barb Smith of Gale Presbyterian Church said she attended a Reep House webinar about recycling items that are difficult to recycle. She learned about the concept of recycling hubs, which are places around the region set up to take in items that can’t be thrown into the blue bins, and she thought Gale could be one of those hubs.

“I’ve been involved with environmental things since 1989, since the water crisis started here in Elmira. So it’s something that I am aware of and go out of my way to do,” she said.

The recycling program is organized and run by TerraCycle, a company that collects and recycles items not accepted in the municipal diversion system. The company offers programs to recycle various products and packaging that anyone can participate in. Smith connected with Connie Lum, who set up a recycling hub at Rockway Community Centre in Kitchener in 2022. Lum heard about TerraCycle in the course of her work as an environmental consultant.

In 2021, she approached the Eastwood Neighbourhood Association with her idea to start a TerraCycle recycling hub at the community centre, a plan soon approved by the board. Then she held a survey through the group’s Facebook page to see if the neighbours would be interested and what kind of items they would like to recycle. That determined which recycling programs she selected.

“In 2022, we made two shipments – a total of 7.64 kg (16.84 lbs) of waste was diverted from our little community. I am work- ing on filling up the third shipment (the first in 2023) in bigger shipping boxes,” said Lum. She says this year they are expanding to include Brita water filters, and that other recycling programs have popped up at other community centres after she held the webinar with Reep Green Solutions

What are fibroids?

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 27 and have heavy menstrual cycles. In the past year, I have begun to have more pelvic pain, especially during my period. A friend said I should get checked for fibroids. What are fibroids, and how do you treat them?

ANSWER: Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas, are benign masses that come from the muscle portion of the uterus.

▢ Mayo Clinic

Professional Clinical Health Advice

Fibroids are common. Approximately 80% of people born with a uterus will develop fibroids, but not everyone has symptoms. Fibroids are most often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.

The cause of fibroids is unknown, although estrogen and progesterone appear to promote the growth of fibroids. Scientists are looking into other possible risk factors, such as family history, early onset of menstruation and lifestyle factors. People of African descent have a greater risk of fibroids, which can occur at an earlier age and produce more severe symptoms.

The main types of symptoms caused by fibroids are:

Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. This can include changing a tampon or pad every hour, having bleeding for more than seven days or bleeding that prevents you from doing normal activities like going to work.

Pain. Most commonly, fibroids cause pain during your period, but if they are large, they can cause a constant feeling of pressure or fullness — similar to being pregnant.

Bulk symptoms. This can include seeing a bulge in your abdomen, about how to set up these recycling programs. Smith said she picked the first three programs that have so far worked for Lum at the Rockway

Centre, including oral care products like used toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and mouthwash bottles, disposable razors and packaging, and used Swiffer refills. The oral care and razor programs are open to any brands. The Swiffer refill program is for the Swiffer brand only.

People can come by the church anytime it’s open and drop off their used products into the labeled containers inside the vestibule at the front door. People don’t even have to come all the way into the church, said Smith.

The church’s hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.), Fridays 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sundays mornings during the worship service, which starts at 10:30 a.m. Smith will go through the bins to take out anything that can’t be included in the recycling programs such as plastic like looking pregnant when you are not; urinary frequency; difficulty passing bowel movements; or feeling full constantly.

In some women, reproductive issues, including difficulty getting pregnant or miscarriage, may be a sign of fibroids.

Given that excessive menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain may be signs of any number of issues, I always recommend that any person experiencing pain or heavy periods should visit their gynecologist.

Fibroids often can be felt on physical exam. Usually when the uterus is enlarged or irregular, an ultrasound is ordered as the first test to diagnose fibroids.

Both medical and surgical treatment options are available to treat fibroids.

Treatment is individualized to each patient, depending on which symptoms are most both-

As a customer you are given your own account. For each one of your vehicles you can check to see repairs & maintenance that are due at your next service or coming due in the future. These quotes will include pricing. You are also able to view your maintenance timelines and a note from your service advisor on the plan for your next appointment.

This way you can be prepared for any future expenses while always being aware of your vehicle’s health.

Maintaining Your Car And Your Schedule