Quinte residents divert waste electronics from local landfills

Trenton ON – The mild weather was welcomed Saturday as Leon’s Superstore Trenton and Quinte Waste Solutions (QWS) partnered up once again to divert unwanted televisions and waste electronics from local landfills.
"We saw everything from old model PCs and rotary phones to brand new, unfortunately broken 52 inch Plasma televisions", explains Jennifer Salutari, Waste Electronics Program Supervisor for Quinte Waste Solutions.

The volume of space unwanted electronics and televisions take up in a landfill site is quite staggering, not to mention the harmful toxic materials such as lead and mercury that could potentially leach into our ground water. By diverting waste electronics, we increase the lifespan of these sites, and give these unwanted items another chance at life to be used in new products. The event held on Saturday diverted the equivalent of four 53’ tractor trailers of waste electronics from landfill.

A recent report by the United National Environment Program (UNEP), identified the need for developing countries to put in place, responsible Electronic Waste Collection programs to meet the rapidly growing amount of waste electronics in these countries. With electronic waste increasing by a suggested 40 million tonnes annually worldwide, action must be taken now.

Operating under Ontario Electronic Stewardship’s (OES) Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Program, Quinte Waste Solutions is considered an "approved collector" of waste electronics. This program identifies roles and responsibilities for approved consolidation points, collectors, processors and transporters of waste electronics. It is a voluntary program, with strict guidelines and approval processes to ensure that materials collected are tracked and dealt with responsibly, from collection to end market.

Quinte Waste Solutions’ Hazardous Waste Depot operates year round at 75 Wallbridge Crescent in Belleville. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment can be dropped off at this location, however televisions can only be collected at special drop-off events like the one held at the Leon’s Superstore in Trenton this past Saturday.

Recognized for Environmental Excellence!

Trenton, ON – The 2009 Robert Argue Scholarship was awarded to Lela Hicks, a graduate of St. Theresa Secondary Catholic School during the Centre & South Hastings Waste Services Board meeting on December 21, 2009.

The Robert Argue Scholarship Award was founded in honour of Bob Argue, the chief architect behind the creation of the recycling and waste reduction program that currently serves the Centre & South Hastings area, including Prince Edward County. The primary aim of the scholarship is to encourage environmental activism and innovation, and to make possible the participation in an environmental endeavor for one deserving recipient.

An amount of $800.00 was awarded to Ms. Hicks, recognizing her commitment to the environment through her efforts at school as well as her volunteerism in the community. Lela was a devoted member of St. Theresa’s Green Team, and a driving force behind St. Theresa’s endeavor to become an Eco-School.

Lela volunteered her time with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity as well as Fixed ‘Fur’ Life, an organization that spays and neuters homeless or abandoned animals. Lela, just like Robert Argue, pioneered the creation of St. Theresa’s book club R.I.C.K. ((Reading Is Cool Kids), and through book drives, Lela and her club members donated over 500 books to local charities; Big Brothers and Big Sisters as well as the Salvation Army.

Lela is attending the University of Guelph, and says the reason she chose Guelph is because of their reputation for being an environmentally friendly school.
Applications and deadlines for the Robert Argue Scholarship Award are provided to the local Boards of Education each spring. For more information on applying for the Scholarship, or for those interested in making a charitable donation to the Scholarship fund, please visit www.quinterecycling.org.

For more information please contact:
Jeff Lauritsen
Communications Coordinator
Quinte Waste Solutions
613 394 6266

Highschool Fashionistas!

Trenton, ON – Art students from St. Paul’s Catholic Secondary School in Trenton demonstrated that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure with their 10th annual Haute Couture fashion show on the 12th of November.

The theme for this year’s show was "Anything Recyclable". Students from St. Paul’s graduating grade 12 Art class could use any recyclable materials at their disposal. Some outfits were made using film plastic grocery or newspaper bags, boxboard packaging from various brands of soft drinks and just about anything else you would find in your blue box.

Katrien Reed, the Visual Arts Coordinator at St. Paul’s, said "This year’s turnout was a huge success, and drew more than 150 people". The price to attend was $5.00 with all proceeds going to the St. Paul’s Catholic School Art Department. Funds will be used to help finance an opportunity for students to work with well known artist and Professor of the Fine Arts Program at Queen’s University, Otis Tamasauskas.

"The fashion show, which is really a show of wearable art, is always met with great enthusiasm and support. Prizes are given for Most Wearable, Most Haute Couture and Most Unique", explains Katrien. "Students had to do research and ensure that their materials were completely recyclable. We had dresses made from plastic bags, colourful cardboard boxes, pop tabs, bread tabs... You name it!" ,adds Katrien.

Prizes were awarded to Jordan Reilly for Most Wearable, Emily Gebhardt for Most Haute Couture and Holly Young for Most Unique.
Congratulations to all those involved in this awareness raising project. Can’t wait to see what next year’s event has in store!

Blue Box Exchange Day 2009

Trenton, ON – The sun was shining on Quinte Waste Solutions’ 1 Day Waste Reduction Event which was held
this past Sunday May 3rd, 2009. Quinte residents came out in numbers to purchase rain barrels, blue boxes and composters, all in an effort to reduce their environmental footprint.
“This year brought even more people than last,” says Jeanne Vilneff of Quinte Waste Solutions. “With the increased awareness of the state of the environment, people are making positive changes in their lives, especially in the areas of waste reduction”.
Norseman Plastics was also on location and sold a little more than 800 Systern Rain Barrels.
With a capacity of 208L, these rain barrels will amount to a lot of savings when it comes to our municipal water consumption, not to mention the potential 40% savings annually on personal utility bills.
The event brought the familiar sounds of musical talents Andy Forgie and the Whystle Dawgs as they “busked” for “Change for the Environment”, a not-for-profit group dedicated to improving our air quality through the planting of trees as well as contributions to the Ontario Lung Association.

Quinte and area residents were serenaded by the Whystle Dawgs’ traditional roots music while they exchanged their broken blue boxes and shopped around for the various products Quinte Waste Solutions sells at cost.
Recognizing the demand for Systern Rain Barrels throughout the area, Quinte Waste Solutions will be carrying a limited supply for those who did not have a chance to purchase one last weekend.