Category Archives: Waste

Business, Waste

An informal depot on Cortes Island is moving to become a “Re-Store”

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By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

For several years Billie Fleming has been collecting and dealing with waste from Cortes Island residences and government docks. She’s passionate about reducing the amount of garbage destined for landfill.

Fleming’s vision is to create a so-called “Re-Store” a place where items can be repaired, brought back to life and resold. She also sees the idea as a way to reduce consumption of brand new items, by giving new life to partially used objects already bought, but then dumped.

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Waste

Boat garbage removal service at local government dock ending

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

A garbage removal service at a Cortes Island dock is being suspended after this summer season due to boaters failing to follow conditions, rising costs and more.

It’s been challenging for the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island to keep up with waste removal from the five government docks it operates, manager Jenny Hartwick told CKTZ earlier this summer.

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Rivers & Oceans, Tourism, Waste

Cruise ships self-reported compliance with new wastewater guidelines to Transport Canada

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The federal government says cruise ships operating in Canadian waters have overwhelmingly met the more stringent wastewater guidelines put in this spring.

However, critics say Transport Canada’s report is very light on details and the industry’s largest source of water pollution remains untreated. 

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Waste

Changes to Cortes Island’s curbside garbage pick-up

Changes are coming to curbside garbage pick-up on Cortes Island. 

The charge to the island’s 692 units will be rising 50 cents from $97.75, currently, to $99.25 as of April 1, 2025.

There are also some changes to the contract.

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Rivers & Oceans, Waste

West Coast infrastructure is on the rise to stem the wave of ocean plastics

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Editor’s note: FOCI volunteers carried out a ‘Mother’s Day Beach Clean-up of the beach between Hollyhock and Seaford Road, Cortes Island on May 9, 2022.

Coastal community cleanup groups on eastern Vancouver Island have been itching for the opening of B.C.’s newest ocean debris recycling depot. 

The Cumberland site, operated by Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) in partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation, opened in mid-June to tackle the tonnes of plastic washing ashore in the region, said Stephanie Valdal, CSWM’s waste management services co-ordinator. 

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