welcome

Happy Earth Day this April 22!

In this issue you’ll find several ways to celebrate our planet’s special day. This month we are giving you ideas on how to make your green thumb even greener and asking you to take a cold, hard look at your waste.

One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world.

action of the month

Take a peek at what you are sending to the landfill.

Each time you take out the garbage this month, take a look and consider how it can be reduced. You might be surprised at what you discover.

Are there certain items that commonly appear in your garbage? Can they be eliminated? Some easy solutions: select non-disposable versions, choose items with less packaging and invest in quality items. Here is our pet peeve: wasteful water bottles.

Did you know, in the US alone, half a billion bottles of water are sold a week? That's enough bottles to circle the globe more than five times! If that amount of waste is not shocking enough, people pay about 2,000 times more for water that's often poorer quality than tap water. Watch "The Story of Bottled Water" by Annie Leonard to find out more.

Vancouver has some of the best water in the world, so kick your wasteful bottled water habit. Vancouver’s drinking water is now available at more public locations. Fill your reusable bottle at one of the City’s new drinking water stations, and freeze resistant water fountain pilots, at Beach and Granville, Thornton Park, 1400 Arbutus and Charleson Park.

your city

Soon your banana peel will no longer be garbage! Curb-side collection of food scraps (uncooked fruit and vegetables, tea bags, egg shells, coffee grounds and filters) for Vancouver residential homes who currently receive the City's yard trimmings collection service is scheduled to begin on Earth Day: Thursday, April 22.
In phase two, all food scraps will be allowed.

Apartment residents can compost food scraps using worm composting. City Farmer can show you how.

FACT:
Waste water and electricity from using in-sink garbage disposals puts stress on the sewage treatment system. Composting is much friendlier to the environment.

your outdoor space

Whether your green thumb is put to the test in your window planter or out in your 40 foot lot, this month we’d like to sow these sustainability seeds:

-Shave your food miles by growing (pesticide free) some of your favourite herbs and veggies.
-Ensure your landscaping consists of native plant species as they are more suited to the region's climate and pests.
-In tribute to March 22, World Water Day, respect sprinkling regulations, consider a subsidized rain barrel or install a water saver kit.
-Visit the City’s Grow Natural website for more on sustainable gardening practices.

One Day wonders

This month’s wonders are the soon-to-be-famous directors and producers who entered the Recycling Council of BC's Trailer Trashed – Reel Environmentalism contest. Their less than three-minute artistic trailers sought to convince the world to stop making garbage, particularly paper coffee cups. Congratulations to Robinder Uppal who took first prize with This Mug for Hire. You can view all the Trailer Trashed submissions here. While you’re at it, check out the submissions to the Earth Day Canada’s Every Day Heroes Film Competition too.

Our other wonders spent their evening on March 27 in the dark, making Earth Hour 2010 a huge success. It was even bigger than last year with over 4,000 cities and towns turning out their lights across a record 126 countries! Once again, millions of Canadians took part in all provinces and territories turning out the lights in over 300 cities and towns. Thank you for sending a powerful statement to world leaders about the need for action on climate change.

Know someone...

…who hates taking out the trash? Forward this e-mail. We’re sure they’d be eager to cut down on this dreaded chore.

New readers, sign-up here.

What's happening

Bike the Blossoms
Apr. 17, 10-4:30
Check out the natural beauty of Vancouver's cherry blossoms on this scenic bike ride. From Vanier Park to Van Dusen Gardens, through Vancouver’s East Side and back to the seaside relaxation of Vanier Park, this meandering route showcases both blossoms and culture. Register online.

Earth Day for Schools
Apr. 22, 10-2:30
Teachers, bring your class to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve for this free, two-hour program. Students will take part in hands-on stewardship activities while learning about our local ecosystem and water supply. Register by e-mail.

10th Evergreen Earth Day Event
Apr. 24, 11-4
The celebration at Jericho Beach will include an exhibitor’s fair, workshops, nature walks, music and food, as well as simple hands-on restoration. More details online.

Streetwise Cycling Courses
Apr. - Jul.
Would you love to be able to ride your bike for transportation, but don’t quite feel up to the challenge? This VACC course can help for under $40. Register online.

10th Annual Mow Down Pollution
starting soon
Permanently retire your polluting gasoline-powered lawn equipment. Bring your old gas mower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer or leaf blower to Home Depot and receive an instant rebate on the purchase of a greener alternative product. Program dates and details will be announced by Earth Day.

Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver.

Did you know...

…since 2003, methane gas from Vancouver Landfill waste is being used to generate heat and electricity. This project produces enough electricity for 7,000 households.

In the media

Top Story: Effective March 31, 2010, the ecoENERGY Program will no longer be accepting bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations. Homeowners planning energy efficient renovations will soon be able to take advantage of the new LiveSmart BC Program. Details will be announced shortly.

Home-energy efficiency retrofit program suddenly ends
Technological fixes can have serious consequences
Canada, B.C. rated as great places for clean technology
UBC turns up the heat on green targets
On the road to reduced fuel use


April 2010 Hello! welcome Happy Earth Day this April 22! In this issue you’ll find several ways to celebrate our planet’s special day. This month we are giving you ideas on how to make your green thumb even greener and asking you to take a cold, hard look at your waste. One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world. action of the month Take a peek at what you are sending to the landfill. Each time you take out the garbage this month, take a look and consider how it can be reduced. You might be surprised at what you discover. Are there certain items that commonly appear in your garbage? Can they be eliminated? Some easy solutions: select non-disposable versions, choose items with less packaging and invest in quality items. Here is our pet peeve: wasteful water bottles. Did you know, in the US alone, half a billion bottles of water are sold a week? That's enough bottles to circle the globe more than five times! If that amount of waste is not shocking enough, people pay about 2,000 times more for water that's often poorer quality than tap water. Watch "The Story of Bottled Water" by Annie Leonard to find out more. Vancouver has some of the best water in the world, so kick your wasteful bottled water habit. Vancouver’s drinking water is now available at more public locations. Fill your reusable bottle at one of the City’s new drinking water stations, and freeze resistant water fountain pilots, at Beach and Granville, Thornton Park, 1400 Arbutus and Charleson Park. your city Soon your banana peel will no longer be garbage! Curb-side collection of food scraps (uncooked fruit and vegetables, tea bags, egg shells, coffee grounds and filters) for Vancouver residential homes who currently receive the City's yard trimmings collection service is scheduled to begin on Earth Day: Thursday, April 22. In phase two, all food scraps will be allowed. Apartment residents can compost food scraps using worm composting. City Farmer can show you how. FACT: Waste water and electricity from using in-sink garbage disposals puts stress on the sewage treatment system. Composting is much friendlier to the environment. your outdoor space Whether your green thumb is put to the test in your window planter or out in your 40 foot lot, this month we’d like to sow these sustainability seeds: -Shave your food miles by growing (pesticide free) some of your favourite herbs and veggies. -Ensure your landscaping consists of native plant species as they are more suited to the region's climate and pests. -In tribute to March 22, World Water Day, respect sprinkling regulations, consider a subsidized rain barrel or install a water saver kit. -Visit the City’s Grow Natural website for more on sustainable gardening practices. One Day wonders This month’s wonders are the soon-to-be-famous directors and producers who entered the Recycling Council of BC's Trailer Trashed – Reel Environmentalism contest. Their less than three-minute artistic trailers sought to convince the world to stop making garbage, particularly paper coffee cups. Congratulations to Robinder Uppal who took first prize with This Mug for Hire. You can view all the Trailer Trashed submissions here. While you’re at it, check out the submissions to the Earth Day Canada’s Every Day Heroes Film Competition too. Our other wonders spent their evening on March 27 in the dark, making Earth Hour 2010 a huge success. It was even bigger than last year with over 4,000 cities and towns turning out their lights across a record 126 countries! Once again, millions of Canadians took part in all provinces and territories turning out the lights in over 300 cities and towns. Thank you for sending a powerful statement to world leaders about the need for action on climate change.	Know someone... …who hates taking out the trash? Forward this e-mail. We’re sure they’d be eager to cut down on this dreaded chore. New readers, sign-up here. What's happening Bike the Blossoms Apr. 17, 10-4:30 Check out the natural beauty of Vancouver's cherry blossoms on this scenic bike ride. From Vanier Park to Van Dusen Gardens, through Vancouver’s East Side and back to the seaside relaxation of Vanier Park, this meandering route showcases both blossoms and culture. Register online. Earth Day for Schools Apr. 22, 10-2:30 Teachers, bring your class to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve for this free, two-hour program. Students will take part in hands-on stewardship activities while learning about our local ecosystem and water supply. Register by e-mail. 10th Evergreen Earth Day Event Apr. 24, 11-4 The celebration at Jericho Beach will include an exhibitor’s fair, workshops, nature walks, music and food, as well as simple hands-on restoration. More details online. Streetwise Cycling Courses Apr. - Jul. Would you love to be able to ride your bike for transportation, but don’t quite feel up to the challenge? This VACC course can help for under $40. Register online. 10th Annual Mow Down Pollution starting soon Permanently retire your polluting gasoline-powered lawn equipment. Bring your old gas mower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer or leaf blower to Home Depot and receive an instant rebate on the purchase of a greener alternative product. Program dates and details will be announced by Earth Day. Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver. Did you know... …since 2003, methane gas from Vancouver Landfill waste is being used to generate heat and electricity. This project produces enough electricity for 7,000 households. In the media Top Story: Effective March 31, 2010, the ecoENERGY Program will no longer be accepting bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations. Homeowners planning energy efficient renovations will soon be able to take advantage of the new LiveSmart BC Program. Details will be announced shortly. Home-energy efficiency retrofit program suddenly ends Technological fixes can have serious consequences Canada, B.C. rated as great places for clean technology UBC turns up the heat on green targets On the road to reduced fuel use