Minimizing Waste to Reduce Ecological Footprint at Construction Company Matt Brule

Plan for Minimizing Waste to Reduce Ecological Footprint at a Construction Company

By Matt Brule for SNC2P January 30, 2017

What the company I work for does:

 I work for Capital City Flooring and Renovations.  I am one of  about 10 guys in the company. We install flooring,  banisters and staircases. We  also renovate bathrooms, install showers and any other task you can think of provided our boss has someone who can do the job. Ron, my boss lines up jobs for us and we all meet in the morning. He tells us where to go for the job, we load tools into my van and then off we go do the job. The average job takes about 2-3 days. When job done is done there is always a lot of waste from everything we have torn out. During the job debris is put in garbage bags which we put in a big trailer. After the job is done I or my boss brings the load to the dump. We have to pay to have it dumped at the dumps site off Moodie Drive.  This is my plan to reduce and recycle the waste taken out.

My Plan:

To help the environment im putting in a plan at my work so a lot of the materials we normally bring to the dump get recycled. In order to do so we would need to get  a Blue Bin, a Green Bin, a Black Bin and a Re-use Bin in addition to the garbage bin/bags we already use  so we can separate all the waste and reusables from every job. This would eliminate the amount of garbage brought to the dump every week and it would be alot better for the environment.

List of materials that we normally bring to the dump:

-wood

-metal

-carpet

-cardboard

-plastic

-paint cans

-aluminium

What we would do differently:

Green bin

-wood

Blue bin

-Metal

-Paint cans

-Aluminum

-plastic

Black bin

-cardboard

Garbage

-carpet

Re-Use & Re-Purpose

We could also reuse some material that is still good at the end of a job for a different job in the future.  Anything that the company does not reuse can be brought to Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Follow the link below for more information on ReStore and how to bring used construction materials a new life while helping communities in need.

https://www.habitat.ca/restore

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are home and building supply stores that accept and resell quality new and used building materials. Shopping at a Habitat ReStore is a socially conscious decision, as funds generated are used to fund local Habitat for Humanity home building projects.

That is my idea to reduce our ecological footprint and help the environment.

The City of Ottawa website details how demolition and construction waste can be properly diverted https://ottawa.ca/en/residents/garbage-and-recycling/hazardous-waste-and-special-items#special-items

Construction material

Plaster, wood (including pressure-treated lumber), drywall, concrete, asphalt or other waste resulting from building construction, renovation or demolition are brought to the Trail Road Landfill Site or to another landfill.

The following companies offer a program for recycling some construction and renovation materials:

·   The West Carleton Environmental Centre has plans to improve waste management for companies  such as the one I work for to reduce waste going to landfills. More information can be found at this website: http://wcec.wm.com/wcec/facilities.jsp “The proposed facility will be aligned with the City of Ottawa’s long-term waste management goals and the province’s environmental values and policy statements relating to zero waste, climate change and green energy creation. “

·   In addition the Tomlinson Waste Recovery Centre http://wasterecoverycentre.com/ has a waste recovery centre for construction debris and waste materials. They accept construction and demolition waste, electronic waste, blue and black waste, metal decommissioned appliances, solid non-hazardous waste.

Skip the Straws

The Last Plastic Straw movement was started by the Plastic Pollution Coalition, an organization devoted to encouraging individuals to avoid using straws and other single-use plastic products. Per year, Americans discard more than 30 million tons of plastic, and most of it is not recycled. By refusing to use single-use plastic products, much of this waste could be avoided.

Over 500,000,000 straws are used on a daily basis in the United States and serve as a massive contributor to plastic pollution. The Plastic Pollution Coalition encourages individuals to sign a pledge stating that they will refuse single-use plastic straws when they are offered. The Plastic Pollution Coalition also provides a list on their website of several ways you can take action to help reduce plastic waste in your community.

Plastic does not biodegrade, and is often ingested by animals, causing a variety of problems. When incinerated, toxic chemicals are released into our air, which we then breathe. By refusing to use straws and other single-use plastic products, individuals can contribute to maintaining the health of our environment.




For more information, visit the links below:

https://thelastplasticstraw.org/ http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/

Stand with me on World Water Day....a look back to March 2017...and a look Forward...Call for Continued Action

In March 2017 Students at Banting Stood Up for Clean Water on World Water Day and Week. They went class to class brainstorming  on how to reduce water consumption. They also spoke to the classes about the concerns for First Nations Communities across Canada and the water quality issue particularly in our neighbouring community of Kitigan Zibi and Barriere Lake. Students signed the petition by the David Suzuki Foundation advocating to the government for clean and safe water in First Nations communities. In January 2018 Indigenous Services Minister Philpott announced 

"the Government of Canada is taking further steps to end long-term drinking water advisories affecting public water systems on reserve. Working with First Nation communities, the Government of Canada will work to ensure 91 long-term drinking water advisories are lifted by March 2021." 

However now in even after this commitment more First Nations Communities have been identified as having water quality issues. The David Suzuki Petiton "Clean Water for All" is still collecting signatures. Access to clean water for all Canadians is still an important issue. 

Here is the link for taking action
https://davidsuzuki.org/action/clean-water-for-all/

Ottawa River Keeper also has also been advocating for change. Here is the link 
https://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/riverkeepers-blog-world-water-day-2017/?mc_cid=721aa0002b&mc_eid=ebccc62816

Here is our student's e-mail sent to Banting Students to help "Stand with me for clean water on World Water Day" 

From: Banting Students 
Date: Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 11:48 AM
Subject: Fwd: Stand with me for clean water on World Water Day

Banting Students!

This is a follow up from our World Water Day and Week presentation last Wednesday and Friday!
We appreciate the time you have given us to share with you our concerns of the growing water crisis here in the world and the struggles First Nations communities around us face everyday due to their lack of fresh water available to them. 

Here in Canada it is incredibly easy to take our clean and fresh water for granted. But because of your participation and ideas on how to conserve water we are now reminded and mindful to take shorter showers, turn the tap off while brushing our teeth and using excess shower water to water plants in your home. We will be sharing the list of all of your creative ideas and suggestions for further discussion!

Thank you for providing us with your name and e-mail to participate in David Suzuki's petition to provide fresh water to First Nation communities here in Canada which will be sent to Justin Trudeau. 

By scrolling down and clicking the attachment below, you will be directed to the David Suzuki Foundation site where we you will have the opportunity to sign the petition. 

To read more on the local issues concerning our Anishinaabe neighbours in Kitigan Zibi and Barriere Lake are facing, visit Ottawa River Keeper: https://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/riverkeepers-blog-world-water-day-2017/?mc_cid=721aa0002b&mc_eid=ebccc62816

Mikayla Menzies, Kaylee McKay, Taylor McLean, Shannon Tisch , Janet Perry , Science- Room 2

Frederick Banting Alternate

613-591-7678 ext 236

Subject: Stand with me for clean water on World Water Day
To: janet.perry@ocdsb.ca

World Water Day highlights the importance of reconciliation Photo credit: Tjflex2 via Flickr Dear janet, Last month, I joined David Suzuki Foundation colleagues and courageous First Nations leaders from Nibinamik, ShoalLake 40 and the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Tribal Council encouraging the federal government end drinking water advisories. On World Water Day, I’m standing for every person in Canada’s right to clean water and calling for an end to the First Nations drinking water crisis. Will you join me? I’ve benefited from eons of careful stewardship of the land, air and waters where I grew up — long before I was ever aware of colonialism, injustice, or land rights and title. I was born on shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation land on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. I grew up across the road from the Salish Sea (the Georgia Straight), between two salmon-bearing streams, on a street called S-tálashen (orca). I didn’t know it at the time, but the shíshálh people harvested salmon from those streams for millennia, as the orca had done in the adjacent sea. Despite being born on traditional, unceded First Nation territory, despite going to school with Indigenous kids who lived on “reserves” on the periphery of my hometown, my education in Canada’s colonial history didn’t come till much later. I studied international development at university. I learned about Latin American countries scarred by colonial oppression. I began to wonder about wounds inflicted at home… My education continues to this day. I’m often shocked and heartbroken by the historical and ongoing injustices Indigenous peoples and communities face. In the spirit of reconciliation, I will continue to be curious about our history and act in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in Canada. And I encourage you to go exploring. Look under the rocks of Canada’s colonial past. You might experience heartbreak. But you will also find hope and healing. On, World Water Day, stand with me and Indigenous peoples who have lived here for thousands of years. Tell government to support First Nations-led approaches to providing drinking water in their communities. With hope, Alaya Boisvert Manager of Government Relations, Blue Dot The David Suzuki Foundation P.S. On March 22, World Water Day, will you join me to demand an end to the First Nations water crisis?

Monarch Butterflies and Climate Change

Monarch Butterflies and Climate Change by Corrina Walsh

A quick look at the positive and negative effects of climate change on Monarch butterflies, and what's being done as well as what you can do to contribute to the conservation of Monarch Butterflies.

The idea was inspired by the Monarch Caterpillar brought in a fellow student (Pearl)  that we then raised from a caterpillar until it emerged as a butterfly in Janet's class in September, 2017.

Once our Monarch Butterfly emerged we made sure it was fed, we tagged it for the Citizen Science Monarch Watch Tagging Program  (through Monarch Watch) and released it for it's migration to Mexico.

Our school also has a Monarch Weigh Station to provide habitat for Monarch Butterflies and other nectaring insects.

Here is my project to raise awareness on the impact of climate change on Monarch's and what we can do to help!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vTu6t8ibQGwzdC7MS4E9fpWBNacSEaXtH_sMJmKwx3JXrBpW9wEfzZ44ggJl2thHCHYGhb5qIhsVCdr/pub?start=false&loop=true&delayms=10000



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CCOHS - Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

CCOHS - Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Nature Man Dan's Asperger's Syndrome Discussion Presentation for College Biology SBI3C

Danyon gave this excellent presentation on her perspective and experiences

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-tOPA4QhNmE2SpJ3hlTWjIo8ICQbZV3FbLKrRdeilWs/edit?usp=sharing

Grassy Narrows and the Effect of Mercury Poisoning on First Nations People by Ally R NVB3E

An excellent presentation on the effects of environmental mercury poisoning impact on local Indigenous Peoples in Grassy Narrows area, Ontario

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRXTTepZ3aCNpZnVZfadTnZQP9rnaPYN7vZOD8cjp2wE-90-UzXdNiIb2Tp-ATIeTOdZ02Dmmonm9Da/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=10000