Does Lego really need to spend $150 million on building a better block?
Lego is one of my all-time favourite toys. As a kid, I loved building and creating, and the blocks brought out the inner architect in me. As a parent, I was thrilled that my kids loved Lego, so I could buy as much as my budget would allow for them to play with, of...Recycled Crayons and a new way of doing business
I am always looking for real-life applications of the circular economy. If you’re not familiar with the term, while it’s been around for awhile (and put into practice more than you might recognize), it’s still not widely known outside of...Should Cities Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags?
As Montreal debates whether or not it should ban plastic bags, it’s an opportunity for me to express my opinion on the subject, yet again. Toronto began charging a 5¢ fee for all plastic bags in mid-2009. A few years later that ever-forward-thinking mayor, Rob...The Problem with Incinerating Waste (and it’s not what you think)
While in Poland, we attended Poleko 2014, Poland’s largest environmental protection trade fair. I had meetings with many people around the subject of construction waste management. Europe in general and Germany in particular are known for its progressive...PPHU Polblume Recycling Plant — An example of the emerging circular economy
While in Poland, our Canadian delegation was invited to tour a new state of the art electronic recycling facility, PPHU – Polblume. It is one of 158 similar recycling and recovery companies within Poland. It is here that old appliances, computers, TVs, and...The Rogers Cup Montreal Tournament Diverts Mountains of Waste from Landfill
I confess that I’m a bit of a tennis nut. It is my favourite pastime and I play as often as I can when I’m not injured (current injury is an annoying pulled calf muscle that just won’t heal!!). I also attend the Rogers Cup every summer and until this...Revisiting Plastic Bag Charges
In May, 2010 I wrote a post about the then spate of waste management efforts that had been implemented by the City of Toronto. One of those programs was a 5¢ charge for single use plastic bags by retail organizations in the city. Anyone who has the unfortunate...
Why Can’t You Recycle Your Pizza Boxes?
In many municipalities pizza boxes can’t be recycled because of the oils left on the cardboard.
Waste Not…Kitchen Renovation
I hate waste. It makes me cringe, so putting garbage bags out for pick up is not something I do lightly. My mind travels with the garbage and goes to the landfill site, and it stays there, as does the garbage, well, forever. So, I try to put as little into garbage as...
Semi Rigid Cork Insulation
One product from Alex Wilson’s top ten list of green building products, 2013 is semi rigid cork insulation produced by Amorim, a Portuguese company. Amorim also happens to be a partner of Jelinek Cork, a Canadian company who distributes this product in Canada....Aspera Recycling and Greentree Provide Carpet Recycling for the Maritimes
I’ve written about Aspera Recycling before. They already work with a few municipalities and retailers in Ontario to keep old carpet out of landfill. For those who live in the Maritimes, here is some good news about how to get rid of your old carpet! HALIFAX...
Recycling Electronics in Quebec: Environmental Handling Fee
The Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) charged to a variety of new electronics purchased in Quebec. Quebec will join 7 other provinces which currently charge an environmental handling fee for safe disposal of electronic items. The EHF is included in the price of the...
Aspera Recycling and Rosedale Group launch Carpet Recycling Program in Ontario
When we renovated our house in 2002, we tore up many square yards of 1970s chocolate-brown carpet that had seen better days. In 2002, there was no other place for it but landfill. Carpet may not seem like a big deal in the grand scheme of the waste stream, but...
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