Hello Metro Vancouverites!

We’ll it’s a brand new year and if you are like  my wife and I, you may have  decided do some early spring cleaning and thin things out while you took down your Christmas tree and put away your decorations.

First off, if you bought a fresh tree, there should be tree chipping services you can take advantage over the next week or two. Here are some links to get you started.

Christmas Tree Chipping –> Vancouver 1

Christmas Tree Chipping –> Vancouver 2

Christmas Tree Chipping –> North Vancouver

We decided to clear our our storage locker and found quite a few things we no longer needed. We had an old microwave and wondered what to do with it. If you’re thinking you should just toss it in the trash, you are correct.

Since microwaves don’t fall under most electronics recycling initiatives, I did some searching and found B-Line Appliance Recycling Ltd. They offer eco-friendly appliance recycling and disposal. In the last 10 years alone, they have diverted over 50,000,000 lbs (25,000 tons) of appliances from landfills. B-Line accepts appliances for recycling 8:00am – 3:00pm, Monday to Friday. It is a FREE drop-off service. They accept refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ranges, cooktops, dishwashers, washers, dryers, microwaves, and hot-water tanks.

We also had an old dvd player that not longer worked. If it’s an electronics device or computer related, your best bet is to search for your local Return-It facility.

Electronics Recycling – North Vancouver

Electronics Recycling – Vancouver

Our kids are growing up and while doing the clean up, we filled up a whole bag with toys the kids no longer need. A quick stop at the local Salvation Army in North Vancouver was just what the doctor ordered.

We also had a mountain of books that we’ve read and no longer needed. On the North Shore there are a few “Book Bins” that accept books and behave of charities. There happens to be one of these in Capilano Mall, right here in North Van, right by the front entrance of WalMart in the mall. Kinda felt good to think that someone else might get a chance to enjoy the books as much as we did.

Another great tip for getting rid of stuff that’s not ready for the trash, but that you’d like to depart with is to try out freecycle or post your items up under the free category of Graigslist. You would be amazed on how quickly things will go that you post on these sites.

My wife and I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to a  leaner greener new year!

This Saturday morning we woke up, packed up the family and headed for the Farmers Market at Trout Lake in Vancouver. It was amazing!

Pretty much everything at the market was organic and the atmosphere of the market was really neat. I must admit, we were first timers at the market and it was a little bit overwhelming with the amount of variety and choices at  the market.

We decided to sample from a number of local farmers today, getting our tomatoes from one place, our apples and cucumbers from another and some really tasted baked goods from some really ladies at on off the end tables.

Since pretty much everything at the market is produced form local farmers and businesses, your helping to support locally grown food and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time.  Check out the picture of our first visit above.

For more info on other farmers markets happening in the Vancouver area check out www.eatlocal.org.

It’s always cool to be able to see the changes that are happening all around us that most people might miss! My wondering eyes caught a glimpse of Canada’s first electric Delivery truck today. The company delivery company using these revolutionary vehicles  is called Novex and the trucks are made by a company called Smith Electric Vehicles. Welcome to the future urban transport!

“The conclusion is unmistakable – yes, the planet is warming,” said Derek Arndt, a co-editor of the report, called State of the Climate, which was published by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.

For more details on the article visit here

To view the reports data and conclusions from NOAA visit here

This year’s Conference Program will discuss issues and topics in the following areas:

Now that I’ve learned more about plastics and how wrapping your food in them is not such a great idea, since chemicals from the plastic tend to leach into your food, I’ve been on the hunt for alternatives.

Here is one called the Abeego Flats Reusable Food Storage Wraps that my wife found and that I think we will be giving a try.

Next time you need a new desk lamp, you might want to check out the solar powered SUNNAN from IKEA. It runs on 3 rechargeable AA batteries that get charged by the sun, and it has an LED light which uses 70% less energy and has at least 4 times longer life than incandescent bulbs in similar lamps. What’s even better is that IKEA has teamed up with Unicef, and for every SUNNAN solar-powered lamp sold in IKEA stores worldwide, they will donate one lamp to UNICEF to distribute to children in developing countries!