Update: The Kinder Morgan Pipeline

A couple of months ago, we had articles that actively discussed the Kinder Morgan Pipeline, as well as looking for more renewable sorts of energy. We have just received an update on the Kinder Morgan Pipeline.

We received an email from the Burnaby Residents Opposing the Kinder Morgan Expansion. It is shown right below. Check out BROKE's Facebook Page and website for more information on the topic. Please show your support for the community and the environment by helping in any way you can!

TIME FOR FURTHER ACTION TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE BY STOPPING THE KINDER MORGAN PIPELINE!

MASS OPPOSITION TO KM ON BURNABY MOUNTAIN THIS WEDNESDAY - EARLY AS YOU CAN- BUT COME WHEN YOU CAN MAKE IT!

(Parking lot by Horizons Restaurant, Burnaby Mountain)

Hi Everyone who want to stop a pipeline!

According to the recent decision by the NEB, Kinder Morgan is required to give 48 hours (business days) notice before commencing work. They gave notice last Friday afternoon. Our expectation is that they will resume work on Wednesday October 29, though we can't say for sure if it will be sooner.

We are calling for a mass mobilization of people on the mountain on Wednesday morning, whenever you can make it.

PLEASE BRING SIGNS, snacks and water, and weather appropriate gear.

Meet at the parking lot on Centennial Way by Horizons Restaurant.

Please share with your networks, and see you on the mountain - Centennial Way - park by Horizons Restaurant.

See you Wednesday! (Looks like a crowd will be on the mountain....come JOIN US! )

Concerned Citizens standing up!

PS This will be an ongoing demonstration of opposition to the pipeline. so please plan to come up to the mountain after Wednesday too!

The Plastic Recycling Industry in Canada

When there is a breakthrough in business or a boom in the market such as the internet boom, there is always niches that will fill the big markets. Just like the internet boom, the environmental boom is happening and niche markets are getting set up. One industry that is becoming a big boom is the plastic recycling industry. This means a great opportunity for BC residents to take a piece of this pie. Whether it is becoming entrepreneurs or getting a green job in this industry.

The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) is a “voice of the Canadian Plastics Industry”. They reported that “2,422 companies employing 76,530 workers, Canada’s $17.6-billion plastics industry is a sophisticated, multi-faceted sector encompassing plastic products manufacturing, machinery, moulds, and resins.”[1]. This is just plastic recycling only. One of the companies that is carving out the niche in BC is West coast plastic recycling, who we will be talking with later on this week. Here is our initial interview with them from a few months back.

Written by: Inderpal Brar

[1] http://www.plastics.ca/IndustryProfile/index.php

What young entrepreneurs can learn from plastic recycling

There are many things that young entrepreneurs can learn from the plastic recycling industry. First off, recycling technology has been drastically growing for the past several years, and in terms of specifics, plastics from recycling can now be made into “fleece clothing, picture frames, outdoor furniture, drainage pipes, office supplies, back into packaging, and plastic lumber that is used for boardwalks, decking, and railings.” [1]. There are tons of companies that are in the above industries, which means that there are many potential clients for recycled plastics. Also, "increasing plastic recycling will help extend the life of this valuable resource, and create green manufacturing jobs in the process.” [2]. With more domestic plastic recycling here in Canada, there will be more opportunities for employees as well as employers in not only the plastic recycling field, but other comparable fields as well. Lastly, with the emerging green industry, there is the potential to have the ability to employ "thousands of Canadians coast to coast in recycling and remanufacturing.” [3]. In order for this to occur though, companies will need to be formed. This is where green entrepreneurs can step in all across Canada, and be part of a new, environmentally-friendly and rewarding industry. This industry has tons of potential to grow, and for young entrepreneurs, it may be something to think about.

Written by: Shaun Kular

[1] http://www.plastics.ca/recycling/index.php

[2] ibid.

[3] ibid.

Plastics on the Environment- Sea Animals

Plastic recycling is needed in this world because it is not just humans that are getting affected by it, but also animals. More specifically, the sea animals are getting the most affected. I am challenging the readers to go to English Bay and look if you can see plastics such as cans, bottles, and bags in the water. Greenpeace in “2006 report[ed] Plastic Debris in the World’s Oceans”[1], and they stated that “at least 267 different animal species are known to have suffered from entanglement and ingestion of plastic debris.”[2] .In Vancouver, if we start becoming less involved with protecting our shores, we will most likely lose sea animals that we take for granted such as salmon and crabs. In part two of my article, I will interview the fighters of the clean-up cause, which are the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Group. I’ll ask them questions such as which places in Vancouver have the most plastic pollution? And we'll also ask many more questions within a similar realm. Stay tuned!

Written by: Inderpal Brar

[1] http://coastalcare.org/2009/11/plastic-pollution/
[2] http://coastalcare.org/2009/11/plastic-pollution/

Identifying the Harms of Plastic

Plastic recycling helps reduce the waste upon the environment, and the importance of it is shown through the harms of plastic, which is something that one who is interested in the industry must keep in mind.

First off, regardless of recycling, plastic is still near impossible to break down, and this means that without a constant flow of recycling, these materials can enter the environment and negatively affect wildlife and endangered species.

There are also many chemicals within plastics that can also cause difficulties in the environment, as well as recycling. A chemical called “PVC contains phthalates and heavy metals, and creates dioxins when it burns.”[1]

There are other chemicals as well that can cause health issues and damage to the environment. Some plastics “contain Bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been identified as a chemical that disrupts hormones.”[2]

A major issue is that “plastics can contain thousands of possible additives, and manufacturers are not required to disclose what their recipes are. Any plastic can leach, depending on the conditions (light, heat) and what additives it includes”.[3]

Even though plastic recycling is largely positive, there are many things within it that one must be wary about before venturing into the industry. Chemicals and additives are prominent in plastic, and must be dealt with accordingly, even within the context of plastic recycling.

Written by: Shaun Kular

[1] http://ecologycenter.org/plastics/
[2]ibid.
[3]ibid.

Plastic Recycling- What is Included?

Plastic Recycling is becoming a big part of the sustainability industry. As the world gets more concerned over climate change and environmental issues, this industry in particular is growing, and cities are also following the movement. But a lot of people do not know what plastic recycling is, or what materials are involved in plastic recycling. Luckily, this article would shed some light on what is plastic recycling. The City of Surrey has a policy on what is included within plastic recycling. An example is that the City of Surrey webpage says that plastic recycling falls under these materials, which are “mixed household containers, drink, cups, and lids, plastic food trays, and flattened milk jugs.”[1] The cool part is that it is not just cities, municipalities, and businesses that are creating opportunities and awareness about plastic recycling, but Universities are also getting involved. Simon Fraser University has a great recycling program, and they also explain what goes into their program.  The materials that are involved in the program at SFU are “tin cans, milk cartons, and jugs, as well as any containers with a refundable label, excluding plastic Bottles, plastic bags, plastic food containers, Tetra-Paks glass & jars", as well as "aluminum foil and foil plates"[2].


Written by: Inderpal Brar


[1] http://www.surrey.ca/city-services/4553.aspx
[2] http://www.sfu.ca/fs/Green-Services/Materials/Recycling-and-Composting.html

Introduction to Plastic Recycling

What is plastic recycling? It seems like such a mundane question, but with a general definition, comes many specifics that make up this industry. As recycling has become more popularized in the mainstream, plastic recycling companies have sprouted up, and it has become a somewhat lucrative, yet environmentally friendly industry.

The definition of recycling is to “to treat or process (used or waste materials) so as to make suitable for reuse:”[1]. Plastic recycling primarily focuses on scrap plastic, and using it in many different ways. Like I said, this seems like really general and common knowledge, but as we delve deeper into this topic, the intricate specifics of this industry will come into light.

A major issue with plastic though, is that it is near impossible to break-down and decompose, as opposed to other materials. This makes recycling a necessity, since constantly using new plastic can ruin the environment in many different ways, which will be discussed in a future topic.

This month, we will discuss plastic recycling in depth. This includes looking at the different types of plastic recycling, how different companies do plastic reyclcing, the feasibility of plastic recycling, and many more topics within the same context. We hope you enjoy and learn from this month’s topic. And who knows, maybe you will start a company within this industry at some point in the future!

Written by: Shaun Kular

[1] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/recycle

Solar Tours Event

Last month, we went to a Solar Tours event, hosted by SPEC and Bullfrog Power. We learned quite a bit about solar power, including the differences between solar photovoltaic and solar hot water, how solar power is growing, the importance of solar power, as well as the origins of solar power. One thing that we were surprised to learn is the sheer amount of solar power needed to power a home. More initiatives are being done to reduce the amount of panels necessary for solar power. Ultimately, it is still a potentially feasible way for domestic houses and companies to have an alternative source of power, and it will only get better as time goes on.

Here are our interviews with Bullfrog and SPEC, who both hosted and sponsored the event.

Bullfrog power interview:
Why were you here today?
1) We were one of the partners of the relocation and expansion of the panels

Do you think a green economy is feasible?
2) It is working! The Vancouver Economic Commission are in the process of change. There is a green economy, and many benefits of green jobs



Society Promoting Environmental Conservation interview (SPEC):

Why were you here today?
1) My interest in solar energy began 12-13 years ago. I’ve been working in the industry for 10 years. I’m a volunteer right now for SPEC.

Is the green economy feasible?
2) The green economy is an approachable goal. We have lots of sources and marketable interest. There are many things that make it an ideal economy

Is solar energy a feasible alternative to the pipeline?
3) Green vs the pipeline. It mainly comes down to short-term vs long-term. We need to reduce fossil fuels by 80-90%. We need to make more green jobs, and support the green economy as well. This means that we need to start getting away from pipelines, and looking at more renewable kinds of energy.

Conclusion to Eco-Fashion

Throughout the past month, we have primarily focused on the subject of eco-fashion. We have learned what it is, how to get into the industry, and the major differences between eco-fashion and regular fashion. We hope that you have learned something as well throughout these articles. We will continue to post updates on the eco-fashion industry in BC, as well as discussing eco-fashion companies in BC. If you are interested in getting into the eco-fashion industry, there are many resources in British Columbia available to you. You can learn at an instituion, such as the Kwantlen School of Design, or even ask questions and network with the many eco-fashion companies in BC. You can also check out some of our interviews with Eco-Fashion companies such as We3, Pure Magnolia, Dandelion Kids and Adhesif Clothing for more information. Good luck on your journey!

Remember to also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to get further updates!

Written by: Shaun Kular