Green Calgary

Permaculture – Going Beyond Sustainability

I have a large yard devoted entirely to grass and I’m ready for a change. It takes an incredible amount of work to keep my lawn picture perfect and, quite frankly, it’s getting a bit tiresome. I have a pretty good understanding of xeroscaping but more recently I’ve come across permaculture and I wonder if it something that could be applied to Calgary. If so, where does one get started?

Many thanks,

Julia

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Making Good with Pet Poo

Ashley,

My wife and I are avid reducers and recyclers and we’ve gotten our waste down to almost nothing, with the exception of pet waste. We have one cat and one dog and, believe it or not, they produce an outrageous amount of waste. We hate putting this stuff into the garbage. We figure there must be a better way but we haven’t a clue where to start. Might you offer a suggestion?

With regards,

Ruth & Allen

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If You’re Not Outraged, You’re Not Paying Attention

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Dealing with Waste Paint

Dear Ashley,

My husband and I just moved into a new (used) house and we have inherited dozens of cans of old paint. Most of it doesn’t look fit for reuse and I couldn’t even tell you if the paint is latex or oil-based. What is a person to do with used paint in Calgary?

Kate

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A Perfect Garbage Bag?

Dear Ashley,

Assuming that I am already using reusable shopping bags (for groceries and any shopping!), reusing fruit/vegetable bags and recycling as much as possible… What is the best option for garbage bags? I am reusing old/used plastic grocery bags (from someone else). Is there really any advantage to using compostable or bio-degradable plastic bags for the landfill? I didn’t think they would break down much in landfills if there is little air or water.

Thanks,
Debbie

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Disposing of Prescription Drugs Safely

We’ve recently sold our house and now we have the arduous task of cleaning it out and moving all of our things. What we won’t be keeping, giving away, selling or recycling will sadly have to go to the dump. We’ve tried our best to recycle most of the odds and ends but we’re having trouble with what seems to be an endless supply of old prescription and over-the-counter pills, tablets, syrups, etc. etc. Should we flush them, throw them in the garbage or is there somewhere we can take them for proper disposal?

Your help is greatly appreciated,

Peter & Jill

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Ho, Ho, Hold the PVC

Dear Ashley,

I recently bought my first home and after spending twenty-five Christmas’s around my parent’s plastic Christmas tree I’m wondering if I should make the same choice for my own home. Are there benefits to the fake plastic tree or should I be buying a good old-fashioned real tree?

Thanks,
Sara

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All Charged Up

Dear Ashley,

I’ve seen that people can recycle rechargeable batteries around Calgary but I’m wondering why disposable batteries aren’t being accepted. Are they not toxic as well? Is there another program in Calgary that allows for disposable batteries to be recycled?

Best Regards,
Leon

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The Unusuals recycling, taken to the next level

Hello Ashley,

I was delighted to come across the Guide to Reuse and Recycling and I was impressed by the level of detail. I’m an avid recycler but there were at least a dozen items that you gave solutions for that I never thought could go anywhere but the trash. I’m sure there are many people like me that might not even look in the guide for something like wine corks but it’s refreshing to know that they don’t have to end up in the garbage. Perhaps you could compile a list of the unusual items that might have evaded even the keenest of recyclers.

Cheers,
Tammy

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Is Paper Recycling Toxic?

Hello,

Could you send some information regarding the processes involved in recycling paper? We were having a discussion and were wondering if the processes used to create recycled paper were more toxic than those used to create new paper?

Kim

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