Your @ NS composting project in works THE NORTH Shore Recycling Program (NSRP) is trying to find a way to keep 30,000 tonnes of yard waste out of the trash. That’s the most exciting project cur- rently under way in the NSRP offices. Although it’s still in the research stage, a committee of people from the three North Shore municipalities, the NSRP and North Shore Health will soon be pres- enting to local councils a proposal for a central, large-scale composting site for residential, municipal and commercial organic wastes. Such an operation could take loads of green and wood wastes and turn it into a tich compost for use in municipal land- scaping, or for public sale. The system would pay off not only en- vironmentally, but financially — as it now stands, municipalities must pay the Greater Vancouver Regional District $69 per tonne for waste processed through the North Shore Transfer Station. Sending several thousand tonnes of organic waste to a compost site instead would save dollars indeed. Residents who didn’t wish to drop off their waste at the compost site also have the option of composting at home. This spring, the NSRP will be selling backyard composters to North Shore res- idents at bargain basement prices. While details have yet to be finalized, the NSRP hopes to sell up to f,000 compost units. People interested in backyard com- posting can get ideas from the West Van- couver demonstration garden at the foot of 15th Street in West Van. Over the next few months, another demonstration of composters in action will be installed at the Park and Tilford Gardens in North Vancouver for the benefit of those of us in North Van. As these projects come to fruition, they will be well publicized through this paper and other means, If, however, you would like more information, call the NSRP at 984-9730. These composting initiatives have been given priority because organics comprise at least one-third of the residential waste stream, so diverting them from the in- cinerator or landfill will result in a major reduction of solid waste. And speaking of reducing solid waste, North Shore residents are recycling 700 tonnes of materials through their blue boxes every month. Our contractors, International Pape: Industries, have steady markets for all the materials except for green and brown glass — so if you have a choice, try to buy items in clear glass containers when you’re shopping. New technologies are being researched, however, for alternative uses for colored glass that could be utilized at times like Peggy Trendell-Whittaker ECOINFO these, when green and brown glass is be- ing storehoused due to market conditions. And an update on recycling in apart- ment buildings and condos: almost all multi-family complexes are participating in the recycling program now, with just a few exceptions. If you live in one of these ‘‘excep- tional’ buildings, please call the North Shore Recycling Program with the name of the manager, owner, or strata council contact person so they can be sent the necessary authorization form. These are all projects in process on the See environmental page 24 A Special Feature of the North Shore News NORTH SHORE CREDIT UNION As a responsible community citizen dedicated to act in un ethical, fair and co-operative manner, it is our social responsibilicy to become more involved as “Partners in your Community.” And as a member of North Shore Credit Union you are part of this involvement. Our latest project: providing financial support for the production of the Blue Boxes for The North Shore Curbside and Multi-Family Recycling Program. Now with your help we can ensure our future by reducing the ever-increasing volume of solid waste. If you're not already one of North Shore Credit Union's 39,000 members, talk to a financial services representative at any of our nine locations. Not only will you benefit from our complete range of products and services, you can also take pride in being a part of community initiatives like Curbside Recycling. METRO TRACKER With G@@ being EPA-rated as the most fuel- . efficient line of cars in North America they save gas as well as the environment. AS A MATTER OF FACT, If you drive 1200 miles a month in an older V8, your .. --- GAS SAVINGS ALONE .... COULD MAKE YOUR PAYMENTS! (See us s for details) Together we can make a difference!