the ReNews Edition Summer 2010
Some interesting stories about Urban Impact's growth and our commitment to the environment.
ARTICLE
WHAT'S NEXT FOR OUR REGION'S WASTE PLAN?
By Nicole Stefenelli
On July 14th, Metro Vancouver completed public consultation on its new Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant (ISWMP). Now the Waste Management Board of Metro Vancouver will go into the final phase of preparing the plan for submission to the Ministry of Environment (MoE). The MoE has the final say and must approve the plan.
Metro Vancouver is responsible for managing our garbage; the last ISWMP Metro Vancouver dates back to 1995 and is largely outdated. Accordingly, the region’s municipalities, government officials, community and environmental organizations as well as vested industry stakeholders such as Urban Impact have been long awaiting this new plan.
You’ve likely heard on the radio or read in the paper some of key concerns that came up in the public consultation process, some of which I’ve written about before: concerns over increased pollution and toxins in our Fraser Valley air shed, if we incinerate our waste (essentially make it disappear) we are taking the easy way out and not incentivizing citizens to reduce. And although burning the garbage would result in district heating we are losing or destroying the resource for ever, with no chance for further recovery.
But the real issue is our need to reduce the amount of garbage we create in the first place. How can our society or our region not realize the importance of using all resources carefully and not wastefully? Every day, we need to make important decisions and choices to reduce the goods we buy and create less waste in the process. If we choose to buy things packaged in less “stuff” or choose to buy goods that have a longer life … we will be positively contributing to creating less waste for our region to dispose of now and in the long term.
The average Canadian still creates 500 kgs of garbage each year. Staggering when you think about it!
Metro Vancouver’s current goal is to improve reduction, reuse and recycling efforts so that by 2015, 70% of the region’s waste will be diverted from landfill. It is an achievable goal, but we as region need to take a serious look at our selves and take this issue of garbage seriously. Many European cities boost diversion rates in excess of 80%, a lofty goal for our region considering our current situation.
In my view an increase to 70% diversion is a great start, but the real and only solution that I think we should be aiming for is Zero Waste. Achieving zero will likely never be achieved, but we could certainly try.
Jenny Rustemeyer & Grant Baldwin are a Vancouver couple who endeavored to prove that they could live Zero Waste for a year. They decided to make it an official project The Clean Bin Project (cleanbinproject.com) and have made a documentary movie about their year long journey (cleanbinmovie.com). Jenny & Grant are on a Canada wide tour (by bike) and are promoting their movie and their vision for what we could all do in producing zero waste! Urban Impact hopes to secure a private viewing for interested clients and suppliers in the later fall 2010. Please stay tuned for more details – and consider doing your part each day in reducing the garbage that goes to landfill. Do one thing each day, and another thing the next day and repeat. If we all take this attitude … our region’s garbage would not be a hot news or political topic.
In the meantime, to review Metro Vancouver’s Waste draft plan and consultation details, visit http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solidwaste/planning/Pages/default.aspx
URBAN RECYCLING
Bosses tossed In The Dunk Tank!
On July 16th, Urban Impact celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a fantastic a staff party at Urban headquarters in Richmond. With perfect sunny weather, tents set up in the yard and a catered BBQ dinner, the highlight of the party was indeed the dunk tank!
Urban Impact founder, Nicole, was the first to hop into the dunk tank and as you can imagine, employees lined up to purchase 3 balls for $5! [Money went towards draw prizes!] Co-founder Rod then did the honours, followed by Mark Popp, Operations Supervisor.
Nicole gave a lovely speech to thank all the employees for their hard work and for contributing to the company’s growth and success over the years. Nicole and Rod also honored Mark Popp for his 10+ years with the company with a weekend getaway in Tofino and a chartered plane to the hot springs.
More than 50 employees, alumni and special guests enjoyed the festivities. Each guest received a custom Urban Impact 20th Anniversary designed shirt as a take home gift.Giving Back To Our Communities
Urban Impact is celebrating its 20th year in business this year by giving back to the communities we work in each month in themes of 20’s. Some of the initiatives including paying the registration fees for 20 kids for Kid Sport BC in June, sending 20 kids to YMCA summer camp this month, sponsoring 20 acres of Rainforest in Costa Rica in August, registering 20 kids to play in Coastal Squash League in September, and planting 20 large trees in Delta in October and more! Stay tuned on Twitter to hear more!
Expansion Into Calgary
On May 1, 2010, Urban Impact officially launched its operations in Calgary, where the company services 750 new clients with four collection vehicles. We are thrilled about our expansion over the Rockies into Calgary and look forward to providing recycling, shredding and zero waste consulting services to many more clients in the Calgary area. We now have more than 90 staff in our three facilities across Western Canada, and we look forward to continuing to grow.
Working with Recycling Councils
As many of you know, we’ve always been very active in the Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC). And with our expansion into Calgary, we’ve also joined The Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA). We wrote a greetings article for their newsletter in June and we’ll be working with the RCA on school education programs during Waste Reduction week this October as well other public education and PR initiatives this fall. For more information, visit www.recycle.ab.ca
URBAN SHREDDING
Shredathons A Big Draw This Spring
This spring and early summer’s Shredathons were a real success around the Lower Mainland and we’re pleased to report that over the past few months Urban Shredding and its Shredathon partners have raised more than $5000 for local charities through our combined efforts.
Upcoming Shredathons include:
| September 11th | 10am - 2pm | Vancity Mission Branch 32555 London Avenue, Mission BC |
| October 2nd | 10am - 2pm | Vancity Morgan Creek Branch 15795 Croydon Drive, Surrey, BC |
If you would like to host a Shredathon and raise money for a local charity, contact Mike Sales at 604.273.0089 extension 3 or mike@urbanimpact.com.
Shred Days At Urban Shredding Headquarters
Meanwhile, Shred Days at Urban Impact Headquarters are always 2pm-4pm on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Upcoming dates include: August 4, August 18, September 1, September 15, October 6, October 20, November 3, November 17, December 1, and December 15.
We encourage you to drop off your boxes of files and paperwork for secure, confidential, on-site shredding right before your eyes at our headquarters,15360 Knox Way in North Richmond, just east of 6 Road and River. Get directions here.
$25.00 minimum charge for up to 100lbs (equates to approximately 10 full file boxes). $0.25 per each additional lb thereafter
Don't Get Skimmed!
Summer holiday season and long weekends especially, such as BC Day long weekend, tend to bring out the ‘skimmers’: identity theft and fraud criminals who place card reading devices in ATMs at bars, restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores etc. Basically, these card reading devices can be placed in just about any ATM machines except for at most bank branch ATMs. So to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft and from having your account skimmed: make sure to use an actual bank branch ATM, which has a security camera, when withdrawing cash from your account!
For more tips on how to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft, visit Office of the Privacy Commissioner http://www.priv.gc.ca/fs-fi/02_05_d_10_e.cfm
URBAN SOLUTIONS
Zero Waste De Delta
We’re happy to report that this year we were the Environmental Sponsor for the popular Tour de Delta bike race, which took place July 9, 10, 11th in Delta, BC. In addition to our $5,000 sponsorship, we provided Zero Waste composting and recycling services on-site, and also organized fun contests for kids featuring our popular Hybrid recycling truck–the first hybrid recycling truck in Canada! In addition, spectators had the opportunity to win bike and recycling themed prizes from Urban Impact by throwing large tennis balls into recycling bins.
The Tour De Delta brought out more than 200 professional cyclists from across Canada, the U.S. and New Zealand to compete in the renowned event road race. With great weather, a challenging Criterium course around Ladner Village and very enthusiastic spectators, this year’s Tour de Delta was a huge success.
For more information, visit www.tourdedelta.com/
Urban Impact Supports World Partnership Walk
On May 31st, Urban Impact sponsored The 25th Annual World Partnership Walk with Zero Waste composting and recycling stations along the walk route. More than 7000 Vancouverites took part in the walk that raised more than $1.7 million–100% of the funds go to alleviating world poverty via organizations such as CIDA.
Mayor Gregor Robertson dropped by one of the Urban Impact Zero Waste tents and commented on how helpful our composting and recycling support was to the walk, and what a great message we are sending to the larger community about zero waste practices. For more information on the event, visit www.worldpartnershipwalk.com
The BC Ismaili Council is the organizer of the World Partnership Walk. The Council recently had its annual dinner event at the PNE with more than 3000 attendees and hired Urban Impact to provide zero waste recycling and composting services for the event.
Urban Impact Sponsors Filmmakers’ Ride From Vancouver to CalgaryUrban Impact sponsored the Clean Bin Project and Clean Bin Movie this May and June with a $2500 donation to support Jen and Grant on the biking film tour from Vancouver to Calgary. That’s right, after their world premiere in Vancouver of The Bin Project on May 29th, the documentary filmmakers rode the bikes to Calgary, with numerous stops along the way to screen their film. Urban was there in spirit to give them helping hand along the route, and Nicole Stefenelli gave opening remarks at the Calgary Film Premiere on June 24th.
Jen and Grant continue their cross-Canada bike film tour, which will finishes in Halifax! That is one long ride and great message about Zero Waste along the way! This is a fantastic film and an inspiring initiative about doing so much with so little.
Urban Impact hopes to set up a viewing of the film for our clients this fall. We will keep you posted on the details. In the meantime, read more about Jen and Grant’s initiative at cleanbinmovie.com and cleanbinproject.org
AWARDS
Urban Impact Awarded Highly Revered BOMA Contract
On May 15th, BOMA BC announced the new industry recycling agreement was awarded to Urban Impact Recycling Ltd. The five year BOMA Umbrella agreement replaced the expired contractual agreement with Metro Waste Paper Recovery Inc.
In looking for a new agreement, BOMA asked interested suppliers to come forward with proposals that would take its longstanding recycling program to a higher level. Urban Impact brings to the BOMA membership a locally based, well-established company that will provide a comprehensive waste management solution to achieve BOMA objectives of “reducing, recycling and more.” In addition to all-fibre and organics recycling services, Urban Impact is providing value-added services including Education, Zero-Waste Auditing, and Green and Best Practices Consulting to BOMA clients.
Urban Impact wishes best of luck to all the participants at the BOMA Golf Classic, August 19th. We’ll be there as a proud supporter and golf hole sponsor.
Urban Impact Chosen as Top Private Sector Business in BCOn May 27th, Urban Impact was selected by Recycling Council of BC for the Private Sector Award for Environmental Leadership. The coveted award has been previously won by BC giants such as Staples and London Drugs who have taken huge leadership steps in environmental programs. For more information, visit www.rcbc.bc.ca.
Nicole Stefenelli Selected by Ernst & Young For Entrepreneur of The Year
On July 6, Nicole was selected as a Pacific Finalist by EY for Entrepreneur Of The Year, which recognizes high-achieving entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world who drive growth, transform industries and build communities. The Canadian program is in its 17th year of honouring the country’s most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business.
The names of the Pacific winners will be announced at a gala banquet in Vancouver on September 28, and the overall winner will represent the region at the national banquet in Toronto on November 17. http://www.ey.com/CA/en/About-us/Entrepreneur-Of-The-Year/2010-EOY-finalists-Pacific--Link-
NEWS
Read about Nicole Stefenelli in Business In Vancouver http://www.bivinteractive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2596&Itemid=32
Urban Impact is featured in Vancouver Sun’s in-depth six story series on recycling.
Check out the first of the six articles here and read on...
Pick up the next edition of Green Space Alberta
http://www.greenspacebc.com/ to read more about Urban Impact’s expansion into Calgary
BLOG POLL
Would you be willing to bring a re-useable container to a restaurant for your take out?
If you're in a restaurant, how far will you go to reduce, recycle and re-use? Fill our latest Blog Poll at Urbanimpact.com/blog
Urban Impact is on Twitter!
Follow Nicole at www.twitter.com/nstefenelli for updates on local waste management, recycling, and sustainable comments and issues.
Are you on Facebook?
Stay up to date with Urban Impact on our Facebook fan page. We’ll be posting videos, photos and the latest UI news on the page. And we want to hear from you! We are having great discussion on Facebook on the hottest waste management and environmental issues. Come join the conversation! Please encourage all your Facebook friends to be our fans.
And don’t forget our Blog
Keep up with the latest on Urban Impact thoughts, news and events, and make your comments on our blog!
