REAPS (Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society) is presenting in schools across Prince George in preparation for Earth Day coming up on Saturday (April 22).
Terri McClymont, REAPS’ Executive Director, told My PG Now her week has been full of school presentations “plugging away at reminding and encouraging students to look out for our earth and what can be recycled in Prince George.”
One of the most popular parts of these school presentations has been their mascot, Dumpy.
“Dumpy is so full because people keep filling up our landfill with things that can be diverted,” McClymont said. “Dumpy only likes dirty diapers, Kleenex, meats, oils and dairy products. Everything else can basically be recycled and diverted from the landfill.”
“He is a big hit with the kids,” she said, laughing.
“We need to celebrate Earth every day,” she said. “April 22nd gives us a reminder that the Earth is really important, we need to appreciate it and respect our natural world.”
Some suggestions she gave on how to recognize earth day included letting your dandelions grow out – they are the first food for the bees, but can also be food for us.
“The whole plant can be eaten, I encourage everyone to google that and see what wonderful things you can make with the dandelions,” she said.
McClymont also mentioned the city’s annual spring cleanup that will be happening on April 30, and encouraged people to pitch in.
“Think about maybe planting a tree, think about how we utilize our garden, do we need all that green lawn? Think about native plants or flowering plants or wildflowers,” she said.
All days of the year, she encouraged people to swap out cleaning and hygiene products for ones that are more environmentally friendly, cutting down on pesticides and chemicals, conserving water, buying foods locally, and passing these good habits down to kids.
Anyone with questions on recycling or REAPS in general is encouraged to reach out, McClymont said they are “only an email away.”
For more information on REAPS, click here.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
