Klune demonstrated how we can eliminate many types of garbage as she removed various items from a full garbage bag and placed them in a Blue Box. Items included a wine bottle that can be returned for refund on deposit, various plastic containers that can be recycled, and cardboard items such as a tooth paste box.

Klune expressed her frustration with the manufacturing industry that she says “… contributes to the confusion of consumers by creating seven different types of so called recyclable plastic.” She says that consumers are confused about what types of plastic can be recycled and what types of plastic cannot be recycled. She also said that many municipalities have different policies regarding what plastics can be accepted in a blue box.

She went on to say that consumers need to make choices when purchasing products and should stay away from plastic packaging wherever possible including plastic shopping bags. She encourages consumers to use cotton or hemp bags when going to the grocery store. Also, you should purchase products in aluminum cans or glass bottles wherever possible. “The manufacturing industry is driven by sales” Klune said. “If we choose to not buy or use products that are packaged in plastic, we can help our environment and change the marketing programs of the manufacturing industry.” Klune says.

Klune further suggested that each municipality is faced with its own set of problems in dealing with items left at the curbside in Blue Boxes. Because there are 7 different types of recyclable plastic, the municipality is forced to sort and separate items from Blue Boxes into seven different groups and many municipalities do not have the resources to deal with it. This causes higher taxes and more strain on the environment because after sorting, many plastics end up in landfill sites due to the inability of the municipality to handle the various types. Consumers think they are doing the right thing by placing items into a Blue Box. “However, many of those items still end up in the landfill site.” she said.

Klune reported that The Association of Municipalities of Ontario has produced draft legislation that would force the manufacturing industry to pay for the handling of certain types of garbage. The policy is called Extended Producer Reuse Program (EPR). If these policies are adopted, the manufacturing industry would be forced to either pay for the handling of plastics or seek other alternatives for the packaging of goods.

But in the mean time Klune says “We should make conscious choices to eliminate plastic from our consumption habits.”

Kelly Klune was thanked by Washago Rotary member Marilyn Brooks who presented Klune with a reusable coffee mug wrapped in recyclable paper.

For information about the Rotary Club of Washago & Area – Centennial, you can visit their website at www.washagorotary.ca.

The image you see the top of this webpage was painted by local artist Elizabeth Schamehorn. We gratefully acknowledge her permission in using this wonderful image of our local landscape. Please feel free to email her at Elizabeth Schamehorn.

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