When a friend is looking a tad tired and is carrying a few extra pounds, you do the right thing and gently suggest a diet, correct? Well, that's exactly what the Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) is doing for the local landfill, which desperately needs to lose some weight.
The Squamish landfill is nearing full capacity and on Saturday, April 16, Squamish's first Re-Use-It Fair will allow residents to divert the flow of garbage to the landfill and enjoy a festive atmosphere at the same time.
When asked about the inspiration for the inaugural event, Squamish CAN co-ordinator Ana Santos pointed to the huge garbage bin that we wheel to the curb every other week.
"I believe it is our biggest problem because it makes things so easy and convenient for us - we put stuff in it, we wheel it to the curb and that's it, we've thrown it away," she said. "But where is AWAY? We throw stuff away and it disappears out of sight, out of mind."
Santos emphasized the need for the community "to get it in our heads that AWAY is actually the Squamish landfill, the cheapest solution to our big ugly problem."
Illegal dumping is another growing concern and was highlighted in last Friday's (April 1) weekly briefs from the Squamish RCMP in The Chief, with a story on illegal dumping of drywall.
"Illegal dumping makes my stomach turn, literally," Santos said. "It shows complete disregard for our surroundings (for our own backyard, really) and for the community's current efforts to improve. I think penalties need to be enforced sternly. I am a big fan of education, not punishment, but it is clear that some of us need that extra little bit of nudging to turn the corner."
To tackle these enormous challenges and to learn about existing alternatives for things that currently end up at the landfill and to also obtain the community's input on waste issues, the Re-Use-It Fair will be a community gathering of sorts. Squamish residents are encouraged to bring all their unwanted items to the parking lots outside the Squamish Adventure Centre on April 16. Items must be in usable, working order and can be swapped for free. An atmosphere of entertainment will be created thanks to market and food vendors, live music, movies in the theatre, a bouncy castle and a re-use-it craft station for kids. Santos stressed that if items are not taken by others, the group will donate them to second-hand stores and facilities.
Santos also announced that during the Re-Use-It Fair, Squamish CAN's waste group will be launching an initiative called "Waste Reduction Champion of the Month" and will be picking the first champion on the day.
The grand finale of the Re-Use-It Fair will be the screening of the film The Clean Bin Project at 7 p.m. This independentdocumentary follows a year in the life of a couple trying to live consumer and waste-free and explores the larger issues of garbage in North America.
Santos is optimistic about waste issue awareness in the Squamish community. "I think we have a long way to go but we have come a long way too, and it is very important to realize this," she said. "Just a couple years ago, talk of waste reduction, the negative impacts of the landfill, reducing, recycling, re-using... was rare. Now, I am amazed at the amount of people that stop me in the street or write to me to talk about waste-related issues."
Her message on the goal of the Re-Use-It Fair is clear. "Our landfill will be re-configured in the coming year and it is the time to learn to stay away from it - let's make the changes needed in our personal lives as individuals so we can collectively contribute to the health of the community as a whole."
The Re-Use-It Fair will take place April 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Squamish Adventure Centre. For more information go to: www.squamishcan.net.
