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ZWATeam Wins 2008 SOLEC Award |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Nov 11 2008 at 10:12 AM |
The Zero Waste Action Team of Thunder Bay was presented with a 2008 SOLEC Success Story Award on October 22 at the State of the Lakes EcoSystem Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario. ZWATeam Treasurer Lynne LeGros accepted the SOLEC award from the U.S. Consul General in Toronto and the Canadian Consul General in Buffalo for the ZWATeam's Electronic Waste Diversion Pilot Project. The State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conferences (SOLEC) and State of the Great Lakes Reports are produced jointly by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada on behalf of the United States and Canada and provide independent, science-based reporting on the state of the health of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. SOLEC Success Story Awards are given out every second year to nominated projects that exemplify a strong commitment to improving the environment within the Great Lakes basin by demonstrating all of the following criteria: 1. showed improvement in the “integrity” of the Great Lakes or local ecosystem 2. forged linkages among environment, community, and/or economy 3. created a “win-win” situation where all involved parties benefited 4. formed strong partnerships 5. demonstrated adequate monitoring of effectiveness 6. developed and distributed educational information that promotes positive activities and attitudes regarding the environment In November 2002, ZWATeam members became concerned about the practice of rich countries dumping electronic waste on poor nations, causing considerable harm to health and the environment. We also learned that discarded electronic products like computers, monitors and cell phones are the fastest growing component of the Municipal Waste Stream. Many of these products contain lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxic materials and can contaminate the water table when landfilled. In 2003 the ZWATeam E-Waste Diversion Pilot Project Committee was formed with a goal of diverting members’ stockpiled e-waste from landfill and creating infrastructure for a long-term computer and e-waste diversion solution for Thunder Bay and region. The Pilot Project Committee worked with Dan Munshaw, Materials Management, CTB, Wim Smits, Ministry of the Environment and Patrick Fenlon, Pack Pros Plus to inventory, collect and ship more than 80,000 pounds of e-waste to Logic Box in Mississauga. As a result of the success of the Pilot Project, in 2005 the Pack Pros Plus E-Waste Collection Depot was established resulting in several direct jobs and more than 400,000 pounds of e-waste being diverted from landfill in Thunder Bay and region to date. The ZWATeam would like to thank all those who participated as E-Waste Diversion Pilot Project Committee members, provided sponsorship and/or participated by having their stored electronic waste responsibly recycled through the Pilot Project. We are proud to share this Award with you and with our community. 2003/04 ZWATeam E-Waste Diversion Pilot Project Committee Members Janice Horgos, Chair; Patrick Fenlon, Pack Pros Plus; Dan Munshaw, Manager of Materials Management, CTB; Ian Peter, Thunder Bay Hydro (currently at OPG) Bill Deadman, 2003/04 ZWATeam Chair, Dynea (Arclin); Jim Bailey, EcoSuperior; Randy Mehagan, TGRHSC; Jennifer Pugliese, Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital; Lenore Buzzi, Dawson Court, Rick Latta, Supervisor and Vanessa DeGiacomo, Research Analyst, Landfill and Recycling, CTB ZWATeam E-Waste Pilot Project Sponsors & Representatives Transportation and Works, City of Thunder Bay Thunder Bay Hydro Thunder Bay Public Library Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Zero Waste Action Team ZWATeam E-Waste Diversion Pilot Project Participants City of Thunder Bay Confederation College Dynea EcoSuperior Lakehead Public School Board Thunder Bay Public Library Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre The ZWATeam extends its thanks and appreciation to all thos who participated in and or sponsored the project and who choose to have their e-waste responsibly recycled.
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