In response to the editorial in the November 8 issue on recycling, I live in Sparwood and here it is easy enough to do the right thing. It is one of the easiest programs I have come across. We have big yellow bins that list on the outside what can go in; this includes plastics 1-6, glass goes in the adjacent bin. Doesn’t even have to be sorted, this is all done at the sorting facility. Southeast Disposal has info on their website on exactly what items can be put in the bins.
The bins are located in spots where just about everyone in town has to drive or walk by every day. So really, there is no excuse not to do it.
We don’t have a bottle depot in Sparwood but if you are diligent about sorting your empties, the Overwaitea gives returns for everything they sell (they have to be sorted and bagged according to size.) The liquor store gives returns for what they sell (must be returned in original boxes or flats.) Myself, I find it easiest to collect empties and donate them to the bottle drives around town.
As people may or may not know, we have a reuse centre at the transfer station in Sparwood as well. Great idea if you have household items in decent condition you no longer need, chances are someone else in town can make use of it, for free.
So you really can recycle most things in Sparwood, aside from electronics, alkaline and cell phone batteries, which can be taken to Fernie. I do agree that there needs to be more information provided to the public on these sorts of items, many things that are getting tossed can actually be recycled somewhere, but it needs to be made easy.
Tracy Kaisner
Sparwood