Promote Edmonton's Composter, Water Treatment...

KC · 23-09-2006, 09:30 AM

Places like Vancouver get all the credit for being "green" yet it's Edmonton that's doing one of the most outstanding jobs in recycling and water treatment. Bascially, the 'big' environmental impact stuff.

eg. Edmonton's Composter is, I believe, the largest, if not the only one of its kind, in North America. Yet, ther's very little on-line about it. (I added what I could find on it and our UV water treatment to Wikipedia's Edmonton article a year or so ago.) Still, I'd love to see the City devote a special 'promotional' website and video to it.

In fact, it's apparently such a spectacular facility, I image a short video on it would be circulated by environmentalists all over the internet in very short order - thus promoting Edmonton as the 'green' city it is.

RichardS · 23-09-2006, 10:46 AM

There are a lot of pictures, stories, and video floating around in the environmental circles, but not a lot in general release. The quality of much of this is...well....ick.

We could sure use a professional version.

MylesC · 23-09-2006, 04:53 PM

The city makes some great stuff on both our water treatment facilites and waste facilites. However, it really doesn't reach the general public.

A 'City Services' guide would be a neat thing to send to all citizens to show just what they're getting.

JeffB · 23-09-2006, 05:39 PM

I can assure everyone here that the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence (how the composter and wastewater treatment facilities are jointly promoted) are garnering a LOT of extra-provincial and international attention.

Working in industry development for the provincial government, I can safely say there is hardly a month that passes without some international government, NGO, or private sector delegation touring the solid waste facilities at Clover Bar and the wastewater facilities at Gold Bar. Edmonton IS known around the world for our innovative and advanced methods of waste management.

Unless I'm mistaken, Dr Jerry Leonard is still heading up the Centre of Excellence. He and his team are out there, beating the bushes, and are doing a great job telling the world about Edmonton.

It's often the same situation in cities around the globe - world class goings-on and the locals don't really 'hear' about it or don't pay it much heed. I suspect a lot of Edmontonians simply don't care about the processing of their 'dirty' waste and are just glad to see it gone. I doubt we need a city services guide - just more people chatting with friends and colleagues (Say, Jane... I just found out that Edmonton's garbage is not just going to a tip - it's the soil for the flowers around town.). Give the city folks a call, they're usually more than happy to show a group of folks around.

Titanium48 · 24-09-2006, 01:08 AM

...and go visit clover bar next spring when you're looking for garden fertilizer. $2.00 for a bag of compost you can barely lift. $30 to fill your truck with it.

KC · 24-09-2006, 09:44 AM

So far it seems that status quo is ok?

Below is what the City of Edmonton's Waste Management link says - it's very concise - no links that I could see to further information, videos, promotional materials, etc.

"The centre is especially famous for the Edmonton Composting Facility, the destination of Edmonton's residential waste and one of the largest composting facilities in the world. "

MylesC · 25-09-2006, 12:25 AM

They're doing great stuff and as Jeff mentioned, people in the field know about it.

However, the City does very little to promote it to the citizens who are paying for it. I went with a group of friends on a private tour of the place and it was amazing! What's more is the guy who gave us the tour was very accomodating, stayed quite late, etc, etc. It was grand!

Yet how many people know you can do that?

KC · 19-10-2006, 12:04 AM

Did anyone know that Edmonton has the largest stainless steel bldg in North America? I think that's rather cool. Found that out researching the co-composter. Of course, I stuck that bit of trivia wherever I could on Wikipedia. :-) And today I heard on CBC a great water treatment discussion that mentioned Edmonton's use of UV technology - another first of sorts (first in Canada I believe he said).

Anyway - I still think the city could better promote Edmonton as a green city.

KC · 28-10-2006, 07:22 AM

A couple days ago CBC radio discussed Edmonton's water consumption - it's something like HALF !!! that of "green" Vancouver and Edmonton's is something like 1/4 LESS THAN Calgary's.

So, if we're doing such a good job, then why are always below the radar on discussions of green cities?

Examples: Here Vancouver gets all the kuddos and in these types of discussions below - Edmonton never seems to warrant any mention...

http://www.brookings.edu/press/books/greencities.htm

"What exactly is a green city? What does it mean to say that San Francisco is greener than Houston, or that Vancouver is a green city while Beijing is not?..."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...TPStory/Travel

Vancouver's glorious green space
"On her preferred jogging route in Stanley Park, ALEXANDRA GILL passes the rain forests, heron nests -- and daiquiri-mixing rest stops -- of North America's third-largest urban oasis

It wasn't until many years later -- while flying in a Helijet over North America's third-largest urban park -- that I truly began to appreciate the spectacular beauty of this lush, 400-hectare oasis on Vancouver's western peninsula. As I looked down in awe at this majestic rain forest saturated in a purplish-pink Impressionist glow from the setting sun, I decided right then and there that I must move to this city."

Again - where's Edmonton in the list at the link below???... {check out the link} Note: fortunately we can thank a Chris Donnelly for highlighting their oversight...

http://www.ourthoughts.ca/2003/10/03...north-america/

Stanley Park is Not Largest Urban Park in North America

"Chris Donnelly said: I Have to disagree with your findings. Edmonton Alberta has the Largest Urban park in North America. “The Edmonton River Valley” 111 Square Kilometers or 27,428.7 Acres "

KC · 17-01-2009, 08:15 AM

Some YouTube videos on Edmonton's Composter - EXCELLENT!!!!

Rick Mercer
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CKpIoYRfshU
Inside the composter
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=aYRl2jOaqKs

annaradix · 02-03-2009, 10:48 PM

To learn the whole story about the City's waste system, the Waste Management Branch offers a 40 hour course to City residents free of charge. The 'Master Composter/Recycler course' runs this year from April 14 to May 2 on Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings and Saturdays during the day.

Course participants will learn about environmental stewardship in Edmonton including history of waste management in Edmonton, home composting, household hazardous waste, vermicomposting and residential recycling. This course offers in-class
instruction as well as several field trips to various City facilities.

After finishing the course, graduates complete 35 hours of volunteer activity promoting the four R's: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover. Graduates become important resources in their communities as they broaden awareness about the importance of composting and recycling. Examples of volunteer activities include:
· Help with Community Reuse Fairs and the Reuse Centre
· Helping friends and neighbours with composting
· Public education at display booths
· Assisting with programs and maintenance at the City Compost Education Centres
· Assisting at various demonstration gardens
· Public and school presentations

If you are interested in learning more about recycling and composting and sharing your knowledge with others, then apply to become a Master Composter/Recycler Volunteer!

http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents...cler-prog.aspx

Application deadline is March 13, 2009.

annaradix · 02-03-2009, 10:51 PM

Also if you want a free tour of the Waste Management Centre, there are school tours every weekday! Or, if you have a group of 10 or more, you can book a private guided tour. Call the Waste Management Centre admin at 780-496-6879 for more details.

Jimbo · 03-03-2009, 01:46 PM

Maybe this is one reason we don't get as much credit for being a "green city".

"Of Canada’s largest cities, Edmonton and Calgary residents are the most car-dependent, with 77 and 75 per cent of them making all their trips by car."

I believe we have a very low ridership for transit, compared with the other cities mentioned.

But I do agree our composting and recycling programs are something we can be proud of.

annaradix · 03-03-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titanium48

...and go visit clover bar next spring when you're looking for garden fertilizer. $2.00 for a bag of compost you can barely lift. $30 to fill your truck with it.

Actually this is no longer available at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre (aka Cloverbar). The City compost is still available from other local retailers in Edmonton: http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents...oil-sales.aspx

23-09-2006, 09:30 AM	#1
KC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Promote Edmonton's Composter, Water Treatment... Places like Vancouver get all the credit for being "green" yet it's Edmonton that's doing one of the most outstanding jobs in recycling and water treatment. Bascially, the 'big' environmental impact stuff. eg. Edmonton's Composter is, I believe, the largest, if not the only one of its kind, in North America. Yet, ther's very little on-line about it. (I added what I could find on it and our UV water treatment to Wikipedia's Edmonton article a year or so ago.) Still, I'd love to see the City devote a special 'promotional' website and video to it. In fact, it's apparently such a spectacular facility, I image a short video on it would be circulated by environmentalists all over the internet in very short order - thus promoting Edmonton as the 'green' city it is.

23-09-2006, 10:46 AM	#2
RichardS Addicted to C2E Site Admin Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	There are a lot of pictures, stories, and video floating around in the environmental circles, but not a lot in general release. The quality of much of this is...well....ick. We could sure use a professional version. __________________ sigh

23-09-2006, 05:39 PM	#4
JeffB First One is Always Free Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	Domestic and International Interest I can assure everyone here that the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence (how the composter and wastewater treatment facilities are jointly promoted) are garnering a LOT of extra-provincial and international attention. Working in industry development for the provincial government, I can safely say there is hardly a month that passes without some international government, NGO, or private sector delegation touring the solid waste facilities at Clover Bar and the wastewater facilities at Gold Bar. Edmonton IS known around the world for our innovative and advanced methods of waste management. Unless I'm mistaken, Dr Jerry Leonard is still heading up the Centre of Excellence. He and his team are out there, beating the bushes, and are doing a great job telling the world about Edmonton. It's often the same situation in cities around the globe - world class goings-on and the locals don't really 'hear' about it or don't pay it much heed. I suspect a lot of Edmontonians simply don't care about the processing of their 'dirty' waste and are just glad to see it gone. I doubt we need a city services guide - just more people chatting with friends and colleagues (Say, Jane... I just found out that Edmonton's garbage is not just going to a tip - it's the soil for the flowers around town.). Give the city folks a call, they're usually more than happy to show a group of folks around.

17-01-2009, 08:15 AM	#10
KC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Some YouTube videos on Edmonton's Composter - EXCELLENT!!!! Rick Mercer http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CKpIoYRfshU Inside the composter http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=aYRl2jOaqKs Last edited by KC; 17-01-2009 at 08:23 AM..

03-03-2009, 01:46 PM	#13
Jimbo Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oliver, Edmonton	Maybe this is one reason we don't get as much credit for being a "green city". "Of Canada’s largest cities, Edmonton and Calgary residents are the most car-dependent, with 77 and 75 per cent of them making all their trips by car." I believe we have a very low ridership for transit, compared with the other cities mentioned. But I do agree our composting and recycling programs are something we can be proud of. __________________ aka Jim Good; "The sooner you fall behind, the more time you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

23-09-2006, 04:53 PM	#3
MylesC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton, AB	The city makes some great stuff on both our water treatment facilites and waste facilites. However, it really doesn't reach the general public. A 'City Services' guide would be a neat thing to send to all citizens to show just what they're getting.

24-09-2006, 01:08 AM	#5
Titanium48 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Edmonton (Norwood)	...and go visit clover bar next spring when you're looking for garden fertilizer. $2.00 for a bag of compost you can barely lift. $30 to fill your truck with it.

24-09-2006, 09:44 AM	#6
KC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	So far it seems that status quo is ok? Below is what the City of Edmonton's Waste Management link says - it's very concise - no links that I could see to further information, videos, promotional materials, etc. "The centre is especially famous for the Edmonton Composting Facility, the destination of Edmonton's residential waste and one of the largest composting facilities in the world. "

25-09-2006, 12:25 AM	#7
MylesC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton, AB	They're doing great stuff and as Jeff mentioned, people in the field know about it. However, the City does very little to promote it to the citizens who are paying for it. I went with a group of friends on a private tour of the place and it was amazing! What's more is the guy who gave us the tour was very accomodating, stayed quite late, etc, etc. It was grand! Yet how many people know you can do that?

19-10-2006, 12:04 AM	#8
KC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Did anyone know that Edmonton has the largest stainless steel bldg in North America? I think that's rather cool. Found that out researching the co-composter. Of course, I stuck that bit of trivia wherever I could on Wikipedia. :-) And today I heard on CBC a great water treatment discussion that mentioned Edmonton's use of UV technology - another first of sorts (first in Canada I believe he said). Anyway - I still think the city could better promote Edmonton as a green city.

28-10-2006, 07:22 AM	#9
KC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	A couple days ago CBC radio discussed Edmonton's water consumption - it's something like HALF !!! that of "green" Vancouver and Edmonton's is something like 1/4 LESS THAN Calgary's. So, if we're doing such a good job, then why are always below the radar on discussions of green cities? Examples: Here Vancouver gets all the kuddos and in these types of discussions below - Edmonton never seems to warrant any mention... http://www.brookings.edu/press/books/greencities.htm "What exactly is a green city? What does it mean to say that San Francisco is greener than Houston, or that Vancouver is a green city while Beijing is not?..." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...TPStory/Travel Vancouver's glorious green space "On her preferred jogging route in Stanley Park, ALEXANDRA GILL passes the rain forests, heron nests -- and daiquiri-mixing rest stops -- of North America's third-largest urban oasis It wasn't until many years later -- while flying in a Helijet over North America's third-largest urban park -- that I truly began to appreciate the spectacular beauty of this lush, 400-hectare oasis on Vancouver's western peninsula. As I looked down in awe at this majestic rain forest saturated in a purplish-pink Impressionist glow from the setting sun, I decided right then and there that I must move to this city." Again - where's Edmonton in the list at the link below???... {check out the link} Note: fortunately we can thank a Chris Donnelly for highlighting their oversight... http://www.ourthoughts.ca/2003/10/03...north-america/ Stanley Park is Not Largest Urban Park in North America "Chris Donnelly said: I Have to disagree with your findings. Edmonton Alberta has the Largest Urban park in North America. “The Edmonton River Valley” 111 Square Kilometers or 27,428.7 Acres "

02-03-2009, 10:48 PM	#11
annaradix First One is Always Free Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oliver community, Edmonton	To learn the whole story about the City's waste system, the Waste Management Branch offers a 40 hour course to City residents free of charge. The 'Master Composter/Recycler course' runs this year from April 14 to May 2 on Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings and Saturdays during the day. Course participants will learn about environmental stewardship in Edmonton including history of waste management in Edmonton, home composting, household hazardous waste, vermicomposting and residential recycling. This course offers in-class instruction as well as several field trips to various City facilities. After finishing the course, graduates complete 35 hours of volunteer activity promoting the four R's: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover. Graduates become important resources in their communities as they broaden awareness about the importance of composting and recycling. Examples of volunteer activities include: · Help with Community Reuse Fairs and the Reuse Centre · Helping friends and neighbours with composting · Public education at display booths · Assisting with programs and maintenance at the City Compost Education Centres · Assisting at various demonstration gardens · Public and school presentations If you are interested in learning more about recycling and composting and sharing your knowledge with others, then apply to become a Master Composter/Recycler Volunteer! http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents...cler-prog.aspx Application deadline is March 13, 2009.

02-03-2009, 10:51 PM	#12
annaradix First One is Always Free Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oliver community, Edmonton	Also if you want a free tour of the Waste Management Centre, there are school tours every weekday! Or, if you have a group of 10 or more, you can book a private guided tour. Call the Waste Management Centre admin at 780-496-6879 for more details.