Good news about garbage

We Quebecers can pat ourselves on the back for increasing how much we recycle. According to the province’s recycling agency, between 2006 and 2008 recycling was up by 9%. This means we are currently recycling approximately 57% of our waste.

The next step is to compost our organic waste. A few communities have municipal composting programs, but it’s much easier and environmentally friendly to do it at home. Anyone with a backyard or a balcony can do it. Some people even compost indoors with the help of worms or accelerators. For help on getting started, check out the Composting Council of Canada’s website.

Green Ideas for Spring Cleaning.

Before you haul out the commercial cleansers, consider going green when it comes to spring cleaning this year.
Plain old white vinegar, for instance, is an inexpensive cleanser/disinfectant/deodorizer that can be used on almost anything. We use it diluted with water to clean windows. But it can also be used on counters (not if they're made of granite or marble), mirrors, sinks, and toilets. The best part is that, unlike the powerful fumes from most cleansers, the vinegar odour dissipates quickly.
Baking soda is another great cleanser and deodorizer. We use it to scrub sinks and tubs, as well as clean and deodorize pet stains. If your fireplace or wood stove windows are black, you need not resort to noxious sprays. We're told that newspaper dipped in warm water and a bit of ash does the trick for cleaning them.
Try this link or this link for more ideas and information about making your own non-toxic, environmentally-friendly household cleaning solutions.

Go Green Hudson Environmental Seminar.

Please join us at 7:30 p.m. on January 15 at the Hudson Community Centre (394 Main Road) for "Making Cents of Going Green." Kimon Valaskakis, PhD, will talk about why going green makes economic sense in these turbulent financial times. Admission is free.

Dr. Valaskakis's work with the Conserver Society Project of 1979 was a precursor to today's notion of sustainable development. He is a former ambassador of Canada to the OECD and the current president of the Club of Athens/Global Governance Group—an international initiative that seeks positive reforms in the management of globalization.

Remember your reusable bags this week.

The Défi Survivre Sans Emballage asks you to join the challenge to live without plastic bags and other packaging. The week-long challenge organised by Les Éditions le Mémento, a non-profit organisation that promotes citizen action in Quebec, starts today and continues through October 26. The idea is to bring your own bags when you go shopping and your own coffee mug to the café, thereby reducing the amount of garbage generated by packaging.

The goal is to have 10,000 fewer packaging items used this week. Participants can register all the bags and disposable cups they did not use on the organisation's website at www.sansemballage.org.

Two important events coming up in Hudson.

Pesticide seminar:

The town of Hudson's Environment Committee is pleased to present a special seminar titled "From the Ground Up: Pesticides and the power of local communities", by Dr. Pralle, a professor of political science at Syracuse University.

Dr. Pralle studies environmental advocacy in Canada and the United States, with a particular interest in pesticides use, including Hudson's groundbreaking by-law. The seminar will take place on Sunday 28 September at 7:30 PM, at the Stephen F. Shaar Community Centre 394 Main Rd, Hudson. Admission is free. Contact Chris Buddle for more information at 514-449-7559.

Hazardous waste drop-off:

The Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC has set up several locations in Saint-Lazare and Hudson where you can drop off old paint cans, oils, paint thinners, insecticides, pesticides, batteries, tires, computers, printers and microwave ovens. These things should never be put out with the regular trash as they can harm sanitation workers and leach toxic chemicals into the groundwater.

The MRC says that more than 90% of collected items will be reused and recycled. Please bring ID that proves you are a Vaudreuil-Soulanges resident. Only hazardous waste from domestic use will be accepted.

September 27, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.:

Hudson: 525, rue Main (Municipal garage)
Saint-Lazare: 1301, rue du Bois (Community centre)