Cornwall ON – Much has transpired over the last week or so…particularly with the challenges that Japan are dealing with at this moment in time. It is difficult to understand why some face such paramount challenges and others do not.
One thing is certain…seeing the challenges that many face around the world, we are reminded of the simple blessings and pleasures we have to be grateful for. Like a warm dry bed, a roof over our heads, a loved one close by, clean water and a simple change of clothes. For these things I am truly grateful and I am wishing each of you the same simple pleasures.
Spring is springing…the Crackles and Red Winged Black birds are back and the Robins are busy vying for nesting materials and spots for their future offspring to greet the world. The snow has melted leaving us with visions of fields of green to come and the tulips are beginning to peek through our thawing earth. Oh happy days! Each of us can do our world a great deal of good by planting a tree this spring. 2011 is International Year of the Forest. Trees provide food, shelter, shade, well-being and clean air. Planting a tree will benefit your community now and the world you leave behind.
I spend quite a bit of time driving in and around our rural areas surrounding Cornwall. The melting snow reveals the garbage remains of many disrespectful persons. If the birds and rabbits could talk I’m certain they would implore each of us to “please put your garbage where it belongs…in a garbage can”. I have found the strangest things in our country side ditches. A toilet, chest of drawers, old shingles from a work site and many, many tires. It is beyond my comprehension that people can be so disrespectful and stingy. Yes, I say this because it is a fact that larger items need to be taken to land fill sites and there is often a tipping fee involved in leaving the unwanted load on site. Please, consider all the rest of us and the animals that have to circumvent your garbage. Please pay the fees to dispose of this refuse properly or wait for large garbage day and have your respective city/county look after it.
Happily, as of September 2009, Ontario introduced the Ontario Tire Stewardship program. This program was introduced to divert scrap tires from landfill sites. Apparently some people even burn scrap tires…doesn’t sound too healthy. An extensive network of collection centers across Ontario will make it easier for people to dispose of their scrap tires with consideration. There is no cost to the consumer who disposes of his/her tires at these collection centers. Each person is entitled to take in 4 tires per day to their respective center for recycling. Check out the following link https://www.ontariots.ca/?q=DropLocations for a drop location near you. There are many throughout Cornwall and S.D. &G. Some only take passenger vehicle tires while others such as BensonTire will take any tire you bring.
These tires will be repurposed as crumb rubber in sports fields, horse arena surfaces and in road surface material. Recycled products will include playground equipment, soaker hoses and floor mats. This program is funded by the Tire Manufacturers who must remit a fee to Ontario Tire Stewardship for every tire they sell in the Ontario market. Please share this information with your friends and family.
S.D. & G. Council has “Citizens for Alternatives to Roadside Spraying” on their Agenda to make a presentation March 21st, 26 Pitt St., 3rd Floor, Room 321 at 10 a.m. Kindly attend if you wish to support their efforts.
Your comments and suggestions are encouraged and welcome. Kindly comment below or to earthmatters@cornwallfreenews.com
Great article – One of my concerns, driving out in the rural areas, is the disappearing fence lines and clear cut forests. Even rocky hilly land that can only really support a forest is cut for the logs but not replanted.
Now that was good information on the Ontario Tire Stewardship. Finally a program that reduces the costs to consumers and helps the environment.
Thank you for your comments Kathy and Reg. @Kathy…I am also concerned about the very same things Kathy, especially the disappearing vital hedge rows. Our wildlife needs cover, our bees and bugs require additional sources of sustenance other than the large acres of monoculture to sustain themselves. The lands which feed our cities are also needed by our local wildlife to stay alive and safe. The songs of birds, rustling of leaves in the wind and colour of wild flowers in the landscape add quality and life to our lives. How can we insure Agri-business respects this? How can we insure Agri-business works with nature?