“s Local groups launch pilot project I HAVE steeled myself for this moment. I am emotionally prepared for the fact that I may be about to lose the respect of the reading public. It’s compost confession time. Cast your mind back. Last summer [ announced with pride the creation of my apartment- sized worm composter, complete with red wrigglers imported from Galiano Island and the requisite amount of bedding, moisture and drainage. Apparently the story caught the imagination of local readers, because for months afterwards ! couldn’t show my face without having to field inquiries after the health «nd welfare of my domesticated worms. It is only now that I am able to summen the moral courage to come clean and tell you that my worms, in fact, shared lodgings with me fora grand total of four days before being deported to my brother’s compost in Fort Langley where, by all accounts, they are now thriving. The problem was — and this is not to dishearten would-be wormers — the odors became 2 trifle overwhelming, and as the worms and I slept mere feet from each other (bachelor suite living being what it is), it made for rather a restless slumber. I take full responsibility. The first thing I threw at them was a large, odoriferous banana peel; perhaps I should have started them on something smailer. A few coffee grounds. Or a wee apple core, At any rate, they never seemed to locate the banana peel, let alone take any digestive interest in it. This may be because half the worms, I now realize, had died en route from Galiano Island. (At the time, I had supposed they were just very tired as a result- of their trip.) So indications are I didn’t have enough worms to do the trick. As 1 say, don’t let my experience discourage you — I’ve seen sever- al efficiently functioning worm bins, even in office buildings. I’ve now confessed — and for a good reason. Because at this point I"can turn around and assure you that I shan’t be without com- posting facilities for long, thanks Peggy Trendelt-Whittaker nate 1 ECOINFO to my new backyard and the Go- ing Green on the North Shore Backyard Composting Pilot Pro- ject being launched today. The project is a joint effort be- tween Going Green members (in- cluding the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, North Shore Recycling Program, and North Shore News), North Shore Health, City Farmer and the North Shore school boards. Up to 1,000 local residents will be able to purchase their choice of five backyard composting units that are being offered at lower- than-wholesale prices. To make the deal even sweeter, trained high school students will visit you to give you information about the composters and collect your order, then they will install it for you following its delivery. All at no extra charge. In recognition of their contribu- tion, the students will be paid money to support their environ- ment club projects, or, in the case of Argyle band and choir stu- dents, their planned trip to Europe. The composters selected for in- clusion in the program are all ap- proved by North Shore Health and City Farmer as to. their rodent-resistance and effec- tiveness. Their selling prices range from approximately $40 to $175, depending on model and size. The costs are as low as they are because the provincial government is subsidizing the project’s capital costs by one-third. This pilot project will be followed up by a survey, so all of the program’s strengths and weaknesses can be allowed for in the full-scale composting cam- paign planned for 1992. This current campaign offers residents (like me) an excellent chance to start the compost pile we've always intended to. It’s inexpensive, very conve- nient, includes lots of helpful Start-up information, supports local high school students, pro- vides you with beautiful garden soil and can help you decrease your solid waste output by up to one-third. Should you need even further motivation, the three North Shore councils have provided it by declaring next week ‘‘Backyard Composting Week"? on the North Shore. We expect the composters to go fast, so call the Going Green number now — 98-GREEN — to get your name on the list or ask for further information. News flash! Here’s an update on the update on Community RePsychling’s pick-up service that ran in last week’s column. Chief recycler Ed Moore called me to explain that the number I had pulied off his brochure was in fact not yet in use. The number readers should call is 688-2228. He also asked me to clarify that he picks up only separated paper grades — not mixed paper — and to invite readers to a Community RePsychling benefit taking place at Graceland tonight, 9 p.m., featuring three top focal bands. Tickets ($11, two for $22) are available at Capers, Ticketmaster or at the door. Send your environment com- ments and queries to Ecalinfo, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, V7M 2H4. WE’RE MAKING IT EASY FOR YOU The Going Green on the North Shore commit- tee invites local residents to participate in a Backyard Composting Pilot Project that will help them reduce their solid waste by up to one-third. |,000 compost units are being offered at reduced rates, and even delivered and in- stalled for free! See today’s Ecolnfo column for more details, or call the number below to reserve your composter now. 98-GREEN (984-7336 @®.O ® ) Friday, March 22, 1991 - North Shore News - 17 CTION. AGENCY INC.: CONSIGNMENTS CANADA GOVERNMENT CUSTOMS CLEARED CERTIFIED AS PERSIAN CARPETS, ASIAN, TURKISH, AFGHANI, CHINESE, etc. HUNDREDS OF RUGS, RUNNERS, PALACE CARPETS OF WOOLS AND SILKS, CATEGORIES INCLUDE TABRIZ, KASHAN, SAROOK, KIRMAN, BOKHARA, AFGHANI, CHINESE, ETC. | AUTHENTIC HIGH VALUE CARPETS | 2 released only for immediate disposal, payment and removal ® 10% freight, brokerage and warehousing charges to be added © each bale will be unwrapped and pieces tagged individually for public inspection © each carpet labelled with country of origin and fibre content. Certified genuine hand made, hand knotte © proper ID required for registration, dealer tax exemption certificates required to be tax exempt © terms: bank cheque, cash or credit cards WILLIAM GRIFFIN COMM. CENTRE 851 West Queens, N.Vancouver (VILLAGE ROOM) SUNDAY, MARCH 24/91 AT 1 PM SHARP Viewing at 12 noon “EASTER \, ADVERTISING 4 DEADLINES Me & ISSUE DEADLINE Fri., March 29. Mon., March 25, noon Sun., Mar. 31 Tues., Mar. 26, 4pm Wed., Apr. 3 Thurs., Mar. 28, 4pm eal Estate ISSUE Fri., Apr. 5 DEADLINE Tues., Apr. 2, 3pm Classified Advertising ISSUE DEADLINE Fri., Mar. 29 Wed., Mar. 27 noon Sun., Mar. 31 Thurs., Mar. 28 noon Wed., Apr. 3 Tues., Apr. 2 noon * Classifieds open Good Friday 9-4, closed Easter Sunday, open Easter Monday 9-9 DISPLAY 980-0511 CLASSIFIED 986-6222