Environmental information on protecting water and reducing waste

APRIL 2011

The Region of Waterloo has recognizedMarsland Centre Ltd., a high-rise office

at 20 Erb St. W. in Waterloo, with a WaterEfficiency Excellence Award.

Marsland Centre spent over $500,000 lastyear to install state-of-the-art cooling andwater conservation technologies thatreduced water consumption by over 7.3m3

per day. The water saved is enough to supplythe daily needs of 10 households.

Along with a new closed-loop boiler systemand extensive washroom improvementsmade a few years ago, the building now usesapproximately two-thirds of the water usedin three comparable office towers inWaterloo Region.

The Region offers financial incentives tocommercial, industrial or institutionalproperties that takes steps to reduce waterconsumption. The Marsland Centrequalified for and received funding throughWaterloo Region’s Water EfficientTechnology (WET) Program.

“For anyone to reduce their waterconsumption there is up-front cost that isoffset by a pay-off over time,” said WaterEfficiency Manager Steve Gombos. “But theMarsland Centre invested well beyond aquick pay-off in order to do what is right forthe environment. The result is that Marslandreduced its carbon footprint, saved water andreduced operating costs.“

To learn more about the WET program andhow your business can save water and money,please call 519-575-4757, ext. 3558 or visitwww.regionofwaterloo.ca/water.

In September 1981, one thousand homes inKitchener were asked to sort steel cans,glass and paper from their garbage. Onequarter of these homes were given a“special” container, a blue box, to use as areminder and for storage to carry recyclablesto the curb. The colour blue was chosen sothe boxes would be easily seen from the curb.

Was the blue box a success? According to a1988 issue of Canadian Geographic,“Kitchener boasts a participation rate of 85per cent, a level unheard-of before the boxesappeared”. A local invention, now a globalsuccess.

Over the years, the Blue Box Program hasexpanded to include more materials:aluminum cans, rigid plastic containers withthe numbers 1 – 7 on the bottom, groceryand retail bags (no other film bags areaccepted at this point), aerosol cans, juiceboxes and milk cartons (empty, of course).All of the items collected are recycled intonew products.

The blue box was our first waste diversionprogram. These days, paint, electronics, tiresand gently used clothes can all be droppedoff at either the Cambridge or Waterloolandfill sites for reuse/recycling.

The most recent program, and the one withthe largest potential to recycle more homewaste, is the green bin. Many residents usingthe blue box and green bin have only onetiny bag of garbage per week.

Landfilling should be the very last choice.To quote Nyle Ludolph (father of the bluebox), “While it is difficult for the averageperson to do all the things needed to helpthe environment, recycling is something weall can do to make an impact.”

As the blue box says, it is a “WE” thing. Sopat yourselves on the back. Together, WE aremaking a difference.

• Region provides service free ofcharge to businesses

• Water loss through leaks causes asignificant increase to operating costs

• Region provides date and timestamped information to identify whenwater is flowing

Detecting water leaks:

Water conservation by-law . . . . . . . . . . 2Rain barrel distribution day. . . . . . . . . 2ECOFest celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Toilet replacement program. . . . . . . . . 2Yard waste collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Make your home safer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Observations from the curb . . . . . . . . . 3Green Bin goes to school . . . . . . . . . . 3In the loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Waste whys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Source Water Protection Plan . . . . . . . 4Fill up at the water wagon . . . . . . . . . . 4

What's inside?

Nyle with the first blue box

Generations of blue boxes

Nyle Ludolph,the father ofthe blue box.

1981

1983

1995

New rain

barrels for

2011see page 2

The Croal family,big environmentalsupporters, receivedbox #1 in the citywide launch.

30 years of the blue box

Regional Chair Ken Seiling presentsthe Water Efficiency ExcellenceAward to Brad Marsland, VicePresident of Marsland Centre Ltd.

Marsland Centre receives Water Efficiency Award

The Marsland Centre, 20 Erb St. W., Waterloo

The Region of Waterloo wants to remindyou the Water Conservation By-law is

in effect from May 31 until September 30each year. Water use can increase by up to50 per cent during summer months. Byfollowing the By-law, you will help makebest use of our water supply and reducethe need for future water supplies

When can I water?Watering by can or rain barrel can be done atany time.

Your watering days for using tap water arebased on the last digit of your buildingaddress number. Lawn watering is one dayeach week (see chart for your lawn wateringday). Watering of gardens, washing ofvehicles and performing other outdoor wateractivities can be done on alternate days (odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numberedcalendar days; even-numbered addresseswater on even-numbered calendar days). Allwatering activities must be done between thehours of 5:30 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 11 p.m.

For example if you live at 312 King Street,

you will use the “2” in your address to findyour watering days. Using the chart, yourlawn watering day is Tuesday. “2” is an evennumber which means you can water yourgarden, wash your car and perform otherwatering activities on even-numberedcalendar days like June 2, June 4, June 6 …

All activities must be done on yourdesignated days must be between the hoursof 5:30 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 11 p.m.

Watering permitsBefore planting grass seed or sod or applyingnematodes, please call the WaterConservation By-law Hotline at 519-575-4495 to apply for a free permit to extendyour watering times.

Tips to reduce your outdoor water use:

•Collect rain water using barrels and otherrain harvesting equipment

•Promote a healthy lawn; aerate, mow noshorter than 7.5 cm and water (includingrain) no more than 2.5 cm a week

•Use water-efficient plants, includingground covers in place of turf grass, anduse mulch to keep soil moist

•Cover pools and hot tubs when not inuse to reduce evaporation

Residents of Waterloo Regioncan once again purchase a

subsidized rain barrel on SaturdayApril 30. Beginning at 7:30 a.m.,the Region of Waterloo will beselling rain barrels for $40 each atConestoga Mall in Waterloo,Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener andCambridge Centre Mall.

There will be a limit of one barrelper household andidentification with proof ofaddress is required.Quantities are limitedand will be sold on afirst-come, first-servedbasis.

The 200 litre capacityrain barrels are new for 2011and are child safe, include a bug screen, areinterconnecting and can fit in a compactcar. Rain barrels are a great way to helpconserve water and provide non-treatedwater for your plants.

The single-day distributions willcease after the April 2012 event.In 2013, a pilot program willbegin that involves rainbarrel coupon subsidies withretail partners.

What you need to know:

When: Saturday April 30

Time: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.or until sold out

Locations:

• Cambridge CentreMall

• Conestoga Mall(Waterloo)

• Fairview Park Mall(Kitchener)

What to bring: $40 cash andidentification with proof of address

Environews - April 2011

How to find your lawn watering day

ToiletReplacement

Program rebatesHETs only

The Region of Waterloo’s ToiletReplacement Program offers $60 rebates

on Region-approved, WaterSense certified,4.8-litre or lower, single and dual flush highefficiency toilets (HETs).

“Technology and markets have shifted from6-litre toilets to ones needing less water toflush,” explains Jim Wideman, Chair of theWater Efficiency Advisory Committee. “Bygiving rebates on the best performing 4.8-litre units, we are encouraging people to saveeven more water for the environment.”

In the past 15 years, over 60,000 old waterguzzling toilets have been replaced throughthe Toilet Replacement Program,representing a savings of enough water tosupply 10,000 homes. By replacing your oldtoilet with a single or dual-flush HET, you cansave up to 378 litres a day.

Businesses, landlords, churches, and not forprofits must call to pre-register. Forinformation including qualifiers and a list ofRegion approved toilets, call 519-575-4021 orvisit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/water

5:30-10 a.m.&

7-11 p.m.

If your address ends in:

0 or 1 your watering day is: Monday

2 or 3 Tuesday

4 or 5 Wednesday

6 or 7 Thursday

8 or 9 Friday

Water Conservation By-law starts May 31

Rebate qualifiers:• Replacing 13-litre or higherwith Region approved* 4.8-litre single flush or dualflush

• Connected to Region of Waterloomunicipal water supply• Residence built before 1996• Maximum three rebates per householdlimit*Region approved toilets are WaterSensecertified.

Celebrate Planet Earth by attendingthe 4th annual ECOFest on June 4,

2011 at the Waterloo Region Museum.This free event offers environmentaldisplays, activities and entertainment

for the entire family. Stay tuned towww.regionofwaterloo.ca/EcoFest as well aslocal media outlets for more information asthe date approaches. Mark June 4 on yourcalendar and join the fun!

ECOFest: Free family event on June 4

Rain barrel distribution will continuefor two more years

newdesignbarrels

FreeGRT shuttle

from Fairview

Park Mall

Environews - April 2011

Mon Tues Wed Thu FriMarch

April 1

May

June

July 1

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov. 31

201121 22 23 24 2528 29 30 31

4 5 6 7 811 12 13 14 1518 19 20 21 2225 26 27 28 29

2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 1316 17 18 19 2023 24 25 26 2730 31 1 2 36 7 8 9 1013 14 15 16 1720 21 22 23 2427 28 29 30

4 5 6 7 811 12 13 14 1518 19 20 21 2225 26 27 28 29

1 2 3 4 5

15 16 17 18 1922 23 24 25 26

8 9 10 11 12

29 30 31 1 2

5 6 7 8 912 13 14 15 1619 20 21 22 2326 27 28 29 30

3 4 5 6 710 11 12 13 1417 18 19 20 2124 25 26 27 28

1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 1114 15 16 17 1821 22 23 24 25

Yard wastecollection 2011

How to prepare for collection:n must be in paper yard waste bags (not in

plastic bags) or a garbage can marked

with a ribbon or yard waste sticker so

the driver can easily identify it. Call us

for a sticker, 519-883-5100.

n weight limit 23 kg (50 lbs.) for bags and cans.

n cut to 92 cm (3 ft.) lengths. Tie in bundles.

The green bin goes to schoolAnumber of schools are joining the

Green Bin Program. Just as sortingrecyclables into the blue box has becomenatural for adults, sorting apple cores andleftover sandwich bits into the green bin iseveryday at these schools.At Suddaby Elementary School, the youngGrade 2’s understand this is important asthe food waste is used to “make soil for thefarmers.” Each classroom has a smallcontainer that is emptied by the studentsinto larger green carts.

The students offer a few tips for good greenbinning: empty regularly. Their containers

don’t get wet, mushy or smelly (many ofthe fears we adults express!). Keep the lidsclosed tightly and make your own liners.Ty Cowell, Grade 4, can make an origamiliner from newspaper in 40 seconds! Ifpaper liners aren’t available, press sheets ofnewspaper into the container.

Kara Day, Grade 5, advises, “Kids care aboutthe environment. To have a happy life,adults must care about it too and justempty it.” It’s that easy.

Interested schools can contact our office formore information, 519-883-5100.

We all have them – under our countersand in the garage. Household hazardous

waste or HHW. Items like cleaners, paint andfertilizer are all chemicals and must be used,stored and disposed of safely.

Hazardous chemicals should not be put inthe garbage. The Region of Waterloo offersoptions for safe disposal, at no charge:

• Residents can drop off these items at theHHW depot at the Waterloo landfill.Specially trained staff sort the chemicals;most are recycled. Paints that can be reusedare given back to the community.

• Paint and motor oil can be dropped off atthe Cambridge landfill site.

• Motor oil can be put in bulk tanks at allwaste transfer stations.

• HHW community days – a mobile unit isset up for drop off of residential HHW.

• Use Stewardship Ontario’s Orange DropProgram. Find a drop location near yourhome at www.makethedrop.ca.

Some simple rules when dropping off HHW:

• Keep the chemicals in their originalcontainers so staff can see what they are.

• 25L maximum can be dropped off.

Be safe, be careful. For more information onHHW and locations, see our websitewww.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste.

Make your home safer – get rid of those HHW’s

Common household hazardous itemsthat should bebrought in.

The latest green binexpansion included theTownships and theresponse has been

terrific!

On one street, 23 outof 25 homes put outtheir green bins thevery first week.

Keep up the good work!

Red: Cambridge, Waterloo

Yellow: KitchenerTownships: refer to your

calendar

HHW community drop-off days,8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

April 9 Cambridge landfillApril 30 Kitchener Memorial AuditoriumMay 7 New Hamburg FairgroundsJune 4 Cambridge landfillJuly 9 Wellesley Township YardAugust 6 Cambridge landfillAugust 20 Ayr News parking lotOctober 1 Cambridge landfillOctober 22 St. Jacobs ArenaNovember 5 Kitchener Memorial Auditorium

Observations from the curbYour old, tired computer still sitting at the curb?Electronics are banned from landfill and won’tbe collected. Drop them off to be recycled.Check www.recycleyourelectronics.ca for afree location near you, or bring to eitherlandfill (fees apply).

Lift the lid - green bin shock!Dog waste should not be left open and exposed.Yuck! Please wrap in newspaper or a paper bagthen put in the bin. Same with kitty litter.

Can’t find your favourite jeans?Always empty your appliances before setting tothe curb. No need to call ahead for appliancepick up, just put it out by 7 a.m. on your garbageday (townships, refer to your calendar).

Bags are no match for glass. Please wrap sharp items (broken glass,mirrors and knives) in layers of newspaperand tape closed before putting them in agarbage bag.

Where does it go? Something not collected? Call us at 519-883-5100 or check ourwebsite www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste. We’re here to help.

From left to right:Ty Cowell,

Karen Saulesleja,Savannah Vagt,

Kara Day. SuddabySchool students.

batteries areHHW too!

Environews - April 2011

Waste Management Contact Info:Waste Management925 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z4Tel: 519-883-5100 Fax: 519-747-4944customer-service@regionofwaterloo.cawww.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste

■Compost giveaway days: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.on Sat., May 14 and Sat., Sept. 17 atboth Region landfill sites(Cambridge, 201 Savage Dr., andWaterloo, 925 Erb St. W., Gate2). Please bring your owncontainers and shovels and adonation for our local food banks.

■Workshops on backyard composting:Backyard composters are a great solutionfor lawn trimmings. To get the best resultsfrom your composter, come to one of ourworkshops: April 16, May 7 and June 18.Limited seating. Call to register,519-883-5100. Free composters are availablefor pick up at the Cambridge or Waterloolandfill sites.

■Seasonal drop off reuse programs(April – Oct.)Mon. to Sat., 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., at theWaterloo landfill, Gate 2. Bikes - will be refurbished for reuse.

Household building products – to Habitat forHumanity

Paint Reuse Program - Pick up free paint,quantities vary.(Also in Cambridge: Wed., 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

Goodwill – open all seasons at bothlandfill sites.

■ Public tours to celebrateEarth Month, Waterloolandfill – Sat., April 30.9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free, onehour guided tours. Funfor the whole family!See what happens toyour waste: the processes,

technology and the bigequipment! Bus tours start at

Gate 3, 1001 Erb St. W., Waterloo. Call tobook a spot, 519-883-5100.

■Environmental Education Centre, Waterloolandfill. Thousands of students (grades JKto 12) and adult groups have experiencedthis free two hour education program.Visitors learn how choices about wasteimpact our environment locally andglobally. Weekdays only. Advance bookingsand bus are required. To book, 519-883-5100.

■Join a community cleanup. Help the littercause and organize a cleanup. Informationand supplies are available. For info andcontacts, go to www.curelitter.ca.

Water Services Contact Info:Water Efficiency150 Frederick Street, 7th Floor, Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3Water Quality and Supply Questions: 519-575-4757 ext. 3155Water Efficiency: 519-575-4021watercycle@regionofwaterloo.cawww.regionofwaterloo.ca/water

Editors:Waste Management: Kathleen Barsoum, 519-883-5100Water Services: Dan Meagher, 519-575-4423Graphic Designer: Pat Dusseldorp, 519-575-4599

Corporate Publishing

For detailed information on these and other services, locations, hours, etc., please go to the front ofthe phone book, our website www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste, or give us a call at 519-883-5100.

October 2009October 2009Technical studiesTechnical studies

completedcompleted

August 2012August 2012Source ProtectionSource Protection

Plan duePlan due

October 2009Technical studies

completed

June 2010June 2010AssessmentAssessmentreport duereport due

June 2010Assessmentreport due

August 2012Source Protection

Plan due

DevelopSource Protection Plan

Implement SourceImplement SourceProtection PlanProtection Plan

Implement SourceProtection Plan

The Clean Water Act Process - and how you can get involved

PreparePrepareAssessment ReportAssessment Report

PrepareAssessment Report

Publicconsultations

held

Public opportunitiesto provide input

into sourceprotection policies

and programs

The time has come to identify policies andprograms to protect our drinking water

sources from potential pollutants such aschemicals, road salt, and manure. Thepolicies and programs for the Region’smunicipal wells and surface water intakeswill be part of the Grand River SourceProtection Plan. The policies will be basedon information from technical studies andland use surveys that were compiled in theGrand River Assessment Report (foundonline at www.sourcewater.ca). We are just starting to develop our draftpolicies and programs. If your property islocated within a vulnerable area it may be

impacted by these policies. Once the Plan isapproved in 2012, the Region will beginimplementing the policies and programs.Visit www.sourcewater.ca to find out whenpublic consultation sessions on the draftpolicies and the Source Protection Plan willbe held in your area.

Look for thewater wagon atcommunity eventsthis summer. Thewater wagon is amobile drinking waterstation with eight spigots for filling yourreusable water bottle, eight waterfountains and two dog dishes. Everythingneeded for the entire family to enjoy arefreshing drink.

Before leaving home, remember to bringyour reusable water bottle. Our waterwagon will be ready this summer to fill it upwith thirst-quenching municipal tap water!

For more information on the water wagonand event dates, visit online atwww.waterontap.ca.

Fill up this summerfor free!

Developing our Source WaterProtection Plan

Q: Why do I have to putmy garbage out by 7 a.m.on collection day?

A: Each of our services requirea different truck. Most trucksstart at 7 a.m. The time eachtruck stops at your housecan change so it isimportant to have all wasteitems to the curb by 7 a.m.

Q: Why can’t I use a plastic biodegradablebag in my green bin?

A: The compost process is a naturalprocess. The organics processor copiesMother Nature by creating just the rightbalance of moisture, heat and oxygen toturn organic materials into high qualitycompost in only three months. The

addition of any plastic, evenbiodegradable, harms the processand reduces the quality of thecompost.

In the loopMore programs to divert your waste.

Use the green bin toshrink your waste!

Waste whysCommonly askedquestions.