8 - North Shore News — Wednesday, January 5, 2000 NEWS photo Cindy Goodman TAKING your Christmas tree to one of the local “chip-ups” for charity is just one way you can recycle and return to nature this symioi of your holiday celebration. Life after Christmas for trees THE life of a Christmas tree need not end after the fes- tive season. Through recycling | pro- grams and “chip- ups” the nutrients found in your Christmas tree can be returned to nature for the benefit of other living things. The GVRD suggests these ways you can recycle your Christn:s tree. & Take your tree to a chip-up on the North Shore, where your donation will support a local charity and your recy- cled tree will become mulch for flower beds and trails. . This coming weekend, you have several to choose from: - The Canadian Cancer Society, Jan. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Extra Foods parking lor at 17th and Lonsdale. The North Vancouver City Fire Dept., Jan. 8 from 9a. m. to 4 p.m. in the Revy arking ‘ot near Park & otha complete — with Starbucks coffee for adults and hor dogs for children. The Capilano Lions “Chip-It,” Jan. 8 from 9 am. to + p.m. at Norgate Community School, 1295 Sowden St., North Van. @ Chip or shred your tree yourself and use it as mulch around your shrubs, hedge or shade trees. Use your tree as a backyard bird feeder. From the branch- es hang suet balls stuffed with sunflower seeds, tree seed cones spread with peanut butter or popcorn /cranberry strands. Suet can be found at a grocer’s meat counter or your local butcher shop. @ Sharpen the trunk and drive it into the ground to use as a bean or pea support pole. . @ Snip tree foliage into small pieces for stuffing aromatic needle pillows for the sofa or fragrant sachets for dresser drawers. If you have questions about recycling = =——-your Christmas tree call the B.C. Recycling Hotline at 732- 9253. = Compiete mechanical & electrical repairs by factory trained technician Visit our web site: verw.impexauto.com IMPEX AUTO 14 106A West 14th Street Tel: 985-6237 (oft Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear) Bi Container return centres stalled Chris Bryan Contributing Writer BEVERAGE container return centres will not be approved without another public hearing process, North Vancouver District council decided recently. Council was responding to vocal opposition at two earlier public hearings, where people voiced concern that the centres might be unsightly, smelly and noisy. Several councillors opposed the idea of zoning which might allow the deposit centres in any commercial area of the district. Coun. Lisa Muri said the challenge is to find locations that won't detract from the local environment. “If these facilities are allowed in a village-type atmosphere, like the Cove, that might not be 2 suitable place,” said Muri. Provincial legislation enacted in 1997 and 1998 puts a deposit on almost all drink containers. Encorp Pacific, a compa- ny created by the beverage industry, is opening return centres in municipalities across the province. Currently North Vancouver City allows the centres in any area zoned for retail use. Centres already operating in other municipalities range in size from 2,400 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. (223 sq. m to 279 sq. m). The company says the district would likely require no more than wo such depots. Coun, Ernie Crist said that despite the unpopularity of the centres, the district hs no choice. “The fact is the provincial government has stuck us with this, so we have to find a place,” said Crist. Mayor Don Bel! said the centres are nothing like the bottle depots of the past, with stacks of beer bottles out to the side- wa “The kind of centres that have been put in a number of com- munities so far, are very attractive,” said Bell. The centres necd to be close to home if they are to succeed, according to Coun. Bill Denault. “T really believe that if you don't make it convenient, you’re not going to get compliance,” said Denault. ——————S _ Natural Gas Rates Have Gone Up BC Gas earns NO profit from the rising cost of natural gas—you pay what we pay. Effective January !, 2000, residential gas rates increased by 6.9% for a typical BC Gas customer. Small and large commercial rates increased by 6.3% to 8.5%. Of the 6.9% residential increase, 6.8% is to cover the rising cost of natural gas, and the remainder is needed to cover other operating costs. Total Annual Heating Bill Comparison (Based on Fypecat 120 Gf Residenual Customer} Natural Gas We'd like to help. Rates have gone up mostly. due to higher natural gas - commodity prices in North . America. Natural gasisa - commodity like oil. Increased demand for natural gas has. resulted in prices that are at a ten-year high, Your January/February 2000 BC Gas bill contains information to help you save . money and energy. You can also find helpful information on other matural gas topics through our website: www.begas.com. Or call the BC Gas Customer Information Centre toll-free - at 1-800-561-4427. Natural Gas is still the best choice for heating your home: : Questions? For answers to questions about. the rate increase, 7 call us at: 1-800-294-5717. Naturaily Resourceful. ™BC Gas and Flame design are trademarks of BC Gas Inc. -