Early recycling 1988 CRD pick up of glass and tin cans
|
In December 1985, Ann Johnston and Ron Pither donned safety helmets and, adjacent to the Ag Hall, began crushing glass and cans in two 40 gallon drums with a heavy metal plunger. Thus began recycling on Mayne Island. Soon, dozens of volunteers, eager to move recycling forward on Mayne Island, turned out to help. Begun as a volunteer organization, the strength of our volunteers has kept us in touch with the community with the idea of ever expanding our mandate.
Soon cardboard was being taken and then paper. Materials were transported from Mayne Island to Vancouver Island by the Capital Regional District (CRD). In 1988 Mayne Island Recycling Society (MIRS) was incorporated, gained charitable status and elected Ron Willick as its first President. The society acquired a very large leaky tent and set up in a corner of the lumber yard courtesy of the Deans. The Men’s Breakfast Club at the Church decided it was their “Christian duty” to help us and became the core of our volunteers for the next decade. For two years, in addition to providing a curb side blue box system, the society signed a contract with the Mayne Island Improvement District to collect garbage as well. |
|
In 1990, MIRS signed a contract with the CRD to provide a service comparable to the curb side blue box program in the city. With that in hand, we moved forward to securing a location on which to build a recycling depot. Maggie and Richard Brown generously offered one and a half acres of their land for us to lease. That generosity has been continued by the current owners Kristine Webber and Peter Robinson. The community rallied around the building of a depot (designed by Ron Willick and Bob Irving) raising $16,000 with 66 volunteers giving over 1,700 hours of labour and $3,800 worth of goods in kind. Barry Wilks did all the earth moving to allow access to the site and give us a level spot to build. That is the kind of generosity and determination of Mayne Island residents that has kept the depot operating for 35 years. Ron Willick became the first depot manager.
|
|
In 1990, MIRS also became a founding member of the Southern Gulf Islands Recycling Coalition. This group has been of critical importance with negotiations with the CRD as well as with lobbying all levels of government. But probably the most important aspect of the relationship has been visiting the other depots and learning from their experience. This was particularly important in early 2020 when we were struggling with how to operate safely in the era of Covid-19.
In the past, as well as operating as a depot, the MIRS has taken on many other services to the community including garbage collection, hazardous waste roundups, collection of large appliances, composting education, providing food digesters, wood chipping, beach cleanup and education and awareness programs in the school and the community at large. Much of this activity has been possible because of the generosity of Mayne Islanders in bringing us their empty beverage containers. Nearly 20% of our budget comes from these donations and keeps us able to expand into new collection programs that do not cover their full costs, such as small appliance, batteries, smoke alarms, electronics, light fixtures, paint, community outreach and many more. Once again, the dedication of Mayne Islanders is allowing us to expand and move forward with one of the best and most comprehensive recycling programs in the province.
Over the years there have been many changes in recycling. We are lucky to be in BC where the government has a comprehensive Recycling Regulation. The provincial government has instituted a multitude of Extended Producer Responsibly (EPR) programs or Stewardship programs. These programs put the responsibility and cost of the collection and recycling of materials in the hands of the producers. This government mandated industry operated system results in BC having the most extensive and progressive recycling system in North America.
We thank Toby Snelgrove for allowing us to post his 2007 video of the operations at the Mayne Island Recycling Depot. The video clearly shows the support and enthusiasm our community has for recycling on the island. We hasten to add that we have ‘pulled up our socks’ in terms of safety procedures and protocols at the depot since that time!
MIRS at Fall Fair Parade 1997
|
Ann Johnston, Fall Fair Parade
|
2007 Fall Fair Parade
|