April 28, 2010 The Delta Optimist A11 Letters to the Editor
Better options than dragging junk to the curb Editor: Delta should consider canceling its spring cleaning program and provide alternative solutions in order to reduce waste and promote responsible consumerism. All municipalities, with the exceptions of Delta and Port Moody, have stopped the spring cleaning program to create new environmental initiatives for the responsible disposal of large appliances, furniture and bagged excess garbage. It is not in line with Delta’s Zero Waste Challenge, a program that
encourages everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle. While Delta prides itself as a municipality preserved by hand and heart, there needs to be more hearts out for sustainability and hands to take action. By replacing spring cleaning with another initiative, residents can be more responsible in regards to waste disposal decisions. Some excellent programs that Delta can follow from other municipalities are: 1. City-wide garage sale This highly successful program implemented in Port Coquitlam and
Coquitlam provides opportunities to reuse and recycle household items rather than dispose of them in landfills. Delta can promote community recycling in a centralized location as residents have the ability to sell their used household items to others who may find it useful. 2. Large item pick up program This program essentially minimizes costs by offering an easy way to have items picked up right from their homes only if it is required by the resident. There is a limit imposed as to how
much a household can throw away per year, which limits the accumulation of waste. As a result, residents are encouraged to think of other ways to handle old goods. 3. Spring planting Ever seen a bathtub fully decorated in blooming sunflowers, ferns and herbs? Instead of trashing your broken bicycle or your large sofa bed, how about planting them? As absurd as it may sound, planting flowers and greens all over the old furniture can look amazingly beautiful. The costs for implementing the
spring cleaning can be used to designate a spring planting garden where people can be creative in planting human made materials for enjoyment. Other ways local residents can avoid spring cleaning is to use the Internet. People can learn how to best deal with old appliances in a sustainable and creative way by just doing a search on Google. There are also popular buy and sell websites such as Craigslist and eBay where any items can be advertised for free. You never know when someone
might see your trash as a treasure. It is time for Delta to bring the community together and work towards a greener future. As the Kenyan proverb quotes, “Treat the Earth well, it was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children.” If Delta and its residents work together towards a sustainable future, then the community can truly live up to preserving the land with abundant hearts and hands. So Delta, time to be creative in trash. Ives Leung
Entertainers appreciate help staging the show Editor: The United Entertainers would like to thank the many businesses, sponsors and those who gave of their time to help stage this year’s show. Once Upon a Time ... Happily Never After took audiences on a musical journey through four fairy tales. This year’s show raised money for the Delta Food Bank and Delta Hospice. Jill Rasmussen Producer United Entertainers
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