October 2006
3rd Annual Renewable
A crowd of interested Renewable Energy House Tour participants stands on the roof of
the earth-heated home of Donna Phoenix and Bob Derbouka. It was one of six homes
opened to the public on September 23 for a day of learning about alternative energy and
building technology.
Bay Credit Union
Thinking Green
A local credit union has taken the lead in encouraging consumers to
make energy efficiency a greater priority. Bay Credit Union has created
three new “green lending" initiatives including car loans, home reno-
vation loans, or home mortgages.
“We know that our members are concerned about the environment,”
says Lea Matyuska, Manager. “And as a corporate citizen, we feel it’s
important to contribute to sustainability in our community, by helping
to promote energy conservation.”
Clients who apply for a new mortgage can choose from two options:
a free home energy audit by EcoSuperior (valued at $200), or gift cer-
tificates worth $200 toward the purchase of energy efficient products or
appliances.
The vehicle loan program offers rates as low as prime on new or
selected models of used energy efficient vehicles. This includes vehicles
that are eligible for the $100 provincial sales tax
credit. With terms up to eight years, car
payments can be less than leasing.
Available models include such
vehicles as the Volkswagen
diesel Golf or Jetta, Kia Rio,
Pontiac Vibe, and Honda
Civic or Insight. For a com-
plete list of eligible vehicles, visit the Ontario Ministry of Finance web-
site at www.trd.fin.gov.on.ca and look for the Tax Credit for Fuel
Conservation (TCFFC) program.
Bay Credit Union is located at 142 Algoma Street South.
Energy House Tour
Superior Renewable Energy Cooperative and EcoSuperior once again partnered to organize a very
successful and unique House Tour. On Saturday, Sept. 23, more than 250 people participated in the
tour, checking out six unique homes. This year’s event featured a passive solar retrofit for a 100-year-
old city home, an off-grid bakery, two straw bale homes, an earth-heated home, and an off-grid house
featuring solar and wind power. New options on the tour this year included bus transportation, and two
lunch options, at Both Hands Bread bakery and Rose Valley Lodge.
“We came to get ideas to build our first home,” said one young couple.
“It’s just so interesting!” said a pair of seniors, who also commented that they loved the scenic
drive on country roads. And what about the folks who graciously opened their homes to crowds of
curious people? “The day flew by, and at the end of it we were bushed but satisfied,” says Hubert
Dendraak, of the Nolalu EcoCentre. Many thanks to our volunteers, homeowners and supporters who
helped make the tour a terrific success.
Home Energy Grants
Still Available
Homeowners who already completed the first stage of the EnerGuide for Houses program prior
to May 2006 are still eligible to receive their grant.
“There’s a lot of confusion out there,” says Ellen Mortfield, manager of Public Relations and
Programming with EcoSuperior. “Anyone who has had their initial home energy assessment done
should contact us to find out more. The post-renovation inspections and grants are still available
until March 2007, but only if the initial evaluation was completed before May 13, 2006.”
Eligible homeowners should complete their renovations and contact the office regarding the
grant as soon as possible. Grant amounts average about $700 or more. “The directive from the fed-
eral government was that grants will be provided ‘until March 2007 or while funds are available’
so we wouldn’t recommend waiting till the last minute.”
It is also important to note that even without the government grant, EcoSuperior’s home ener-
gy assessment service is still a valuable service that offers unbiased recommendations on how to
get the most from your renovation budget, and maxi-
mize long term utility savings. If you own, or recently
purchased, an older home, it’s an excellent way to help
prioritize and budget for improvements.
Inside
“In most older, unimproved homes, constructed in • A Recycler’s Rant
1960 or earlier, we can find ways to cut heating costs • More Rebates
by 30-40 percent,” says EcoSuperior’s certified energy
advisor, Don Rutledge. “That usually means the service • Solar Alternative
pays for itself in the first year.” • Trading Card Project
The comprehensive energy evaluation service is
currently priced at $200. Revenues help to support • Green Drinks
additional community environmental programs. To • Gift Ideas
book an appointment, interested homeowners should
call EcoSuperior at 624-2140. • Well Aware Wrap Up
1
 ECO-NEWS • EcoSuperior • 2
About Eco-News
EcoNews is produced by EcoSuperior Environmental Programs.
Look for our regular editions in your Chronicle Journal every April
and October. All the articles are written by EcoSuperior staff unless
otherwise credited. We are a non-profit organization, providing
public education in the areas of water and energy conservation,
waste reduction, pollution prevention and urban greenspaces. Our
program area includes the city of Thunder Bay and the Lake
Superior region. If you would like to comment on our programs, please contact us: 212 Miles Street
East, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 1J6 Telephone: 807-624-2140 • Facsimile: 807-622-0005
www.ecosuperior.com • info@ecosuperior.com
Summer in our Garden
This summer brought some improvements to our Central Natural Environment Gardens, located
on Central Avenue across from Amber Drive. A wonderful volunteer effort with a team from Home
Depot in July enabled us to complete a beautiful cedar fence, a new bench and signs in the interpre-
tive garden to provide information about the plants. The garden is becoming a much-appreciated spot
for folks to enjoy the beautiful, ever-changing display of wildflowers. Next year, we hope to have
funding to add educational signage to our solar powered water pump and compost area, and possi-
bly add a new Anishinabek garden featuring wild plants of historical and cultural importance to First
Nations.
Frank’s
Alternate Energy
TIME TO RENOVATE? Let us help with the hassle and
cost of taking out the old and getting ready for the new. Our dedicated
volunteers can remove for you: Kitchen Cabinets, Bathroom Fixtures,
Doors, Windows, Siding and Much More AT NO COST to you!
Get your free assessment today!
We will leave the space ready for your new upgrade.
Call Brent or Keith today at 346-4884
660 Squire Street (off Central Ave. between Memorial & Balmoral Mon. to Sat. 9-5 email: sunwind@tbaytel.net
2
A Recycler’s Rant
I’m sure you’ve heard them—those people who insist that recycling
is just a waste, because all that stuff just ends up in the landfill site any-
way. They love to expound on the issue while sipping from a can of pop
(that’s made from more than 50% recycled aluminum) or while they’re
looking for more bad news in the newspaper (which could help create
their next roll of toilet paper).
“I’ve seen it myself!” they say. “Truckloads of so-called recyclables
being dumped at the landfill.”
It’s true—because people continue to place unacceptable materials
into their blue bags and at the depots, ReCool trucks must regularly take
loads of rejected material (lids, wrappers, plastics # 3 to #7) to the land
fill site, which adds to the cost of municipal recycling. People also don’t
realize that the same company that provides our recycling service also
provides waste management services to many area businesses, so the
same trucks are used to deliver real garbage to the dump. A recycling
truck at the dump, therefore, does not mean that recycling is not a reality.
The naysayers obviously have never visited the local recycling plant
on Hwy 61, where huge bales of paper, plastics and metals leave the city
by the truckload on a regular basis. They should take a tour someday
(see page 4 for a good opportunity) and try telling ReCool’s 24 employ-
ees that recycling doesn’t matter.
Recycling creates jobs, saves energy, preserves natural resources and
extends the life of our waste disposal sites. Still insist that recycling
doesn’t matter? It’s pretty clear that’s just a lazy person’s excuse for not
bothering to sort real garbage from valuable raw materials.
Energy Riddles
Why did the gardener plant a light bulb? He wanted to grow a
power plant.
How do we know that wind power is so popular?
Because it has a lot of fans.
If all the people driving gas-guzzlers were sent to jail, where we
put them? In the fuel cell.
What would you call a power failure? A current event.
How many mystery writers does it take to change a light bulb?
Two. One to screw the bulb almost all the way in, and one to give a
surprising twist at the end.
How many smart people does it take to change a lightbulb?
None – smart people use compact fluorescent bulbs that almost never
need changing!
Sun / Wind / Water
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Locally owned and operated since 1994
www.sunwindwater.com
 ECO-NEWS • EcoSuperior • 3

Citizens Concerned About Pesticides

Limiting the unnecessary use of pesticides in our city is
the aim of a new Thunder Bay alliance.
Citizens Concerned About Pesticide Use in Thunder
Bay (CCAPUT) will make every effort to get this done by
educating residents but if necessary it will press city coun-
cil to pass an effective bylaw.
EcoSuperior is represented in the alliance as are the
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Environment
North, the Lakehead University environmental committee,
EarthWise Thunder Bay, the Regional Cancer Centre,
Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the Canadian Cancer
Society.
The most common pesticide used on lawns is 2,4-D and
last April a study published in Paediatrics and Child Health
concluded that this chemical is "persuasively" linked to
cancer. The Ontario College of Family Physicians says that
pesticides used in the home and garden are associated with
brain cancer, childhood leukemia, and ALS.
Certainly Thunder Bay is behind many other cities in
tackling the issue. More than 100 communities in Canada
already have bylaws that restrict the use of pesticides,
including Toronto and London. There is a ban in place for
the whole province of Quebec.
"We want to educate people about the dangers of pesti-
cides," said Ann McGoey. "That is the key aim of the
alliance. We also want people to learn for themselves. We
want people to do their own research. Look at web sites
such as pesticidefree.ca and pestinfo.ca. We want to get
people talking. Is a dandelion-free lawn worth a threat to
our children?"

Youth EcoTeams
Teachers and students can take part in a new project offered by EcoSuperior. Do you
have a group at your school interested in working on some environmental issues?
Looking for project ideas? Our Youth Coordinator can help you organize fun events like
a tire pressure clinic or a bike/walk to school day. We can help you start up a recycling
program or do a waste audit for your school. You might want to get your team involved
in a neighbourhood clean up, a battery collection or your very own radio campaign.
Our goal is to have six high school EcoTeams and ten elementary school teams. Each
team will carry out at least three projects over the school year, to help inform and moti-
vate their fellow students as well as friends and family to participate in environmental
activities. We have developed a list of activities to choose from, and our coordinator,
Sabrina, will provide any materials needed and help you organize.
It’s an opportunity for Thunder Bay youth to take a leadership role and help build
community awareness for issues such as energy conservation, climate change and waste
reduction. If you would like to start up an EcoTeam at your
school, contact Sabrina at 624-2147.

New! Stream Critters Calling all

Trading Cards
Do you ever wonder what is lurking in the
water when you splash about in the Current
River or some other local stream on a hot sum-
mer’s day? There are lots of strange-looking
insects, mollusks and worms sharing the water
with you, in addition to the occasional fish and
These cards feature a full-
colour picture of ten of the most
Teachers
of Grades
common aquatic insects that spend
their larval stage in streams. The
cards also share fascinating facts
about these bugs.

minnow. Learn about these fascinating bugs by
collecting all ten Stream Critter
Trading Cards.
How can you get these ten
Trading Cards? Drop by our office
and pick up your ‘Starter Pack ‘of
three free cards. You can earn the rest
of the set by taking action to protect
streams and water quality. Our
Stream Action card lists ten things you
can do to protect streams. Each activ-
ity you complete will earn you a card.
Or invent your own stream protection
project to earn a card. Collect all ten
cards, or trade with your friends for your
favorite critter!
Did you know…
• Dragonfly larvae have a secret weapon-
they flip out their hydraulic lower lip
and extend it almost three times the
length of their head to snatch passing
prey in an instant!
• Water Boatmen will call out to each
other by rubbing their forelegs over their
head to make a sound
• Caddisfly larvae gather bits of debris
and glue them together to make a home
for themselves
4 and 7
Streams are great places to fish, or to splash about on
a hot day. And nothing is more pleasant than eating a
picnic lunch next to a gurgling stream. But we often
don’t think of the creatures that live below the surface of
the water, entirely dependant on clean streams for their
survival.
EcoSuperior has developed an hour-long package of
fun-filled activities to inspire interest in stream habitats
and ultimately, stream protection. These activities tie
into existing curriculum. Show how the elements in an
aquatic habitat are connected by ‘Building a Stream’
with cut-outs. Look at the attributes of the creatures
found in a stream with the ‘Snorkle-Butt and Spit
Artists’ puzzle. Create an aquatic food web and see what
happens when a strand is removed.
We’ve lightened your load by preparing a package
that covers your entire lesson plan, with ideas for activi-
ty lead-ins, content and debriefs. You are welcome to
adapt the information to fit the needs of your class. Give
EcoSuperior a call for more information.

3
 ECO-NEWS • EcoSuperior • 4

Waste Reduction Week – Oct. 16 to 22

Thunder Bay will once again be a part of the nation-wide celebration to raise aware- contest to all elementary schools – students who collect the most batteries have a
ness of waste reduction. EcoSuperior and the City of Thunder Bay Environment chance to win a field trip for their whole class! Presentations are on a first-come, first-
Division and our community partners will be coordinating a wide range of activities, serve basis, so book your presentations soon!
so plan to participate!
Recycling Tour
Get Caught Recycling ReCool will also be offering a field trip for grown ups! On Thursday, October 19, at
Throughout Waste Reduction Week, EcoSuperior, ReCool and the City of Thunder 10:30 a.m., there are a limited number of spaces available for a reception and tour of
Bay will be rewarding recyclers for their efforts. The Waste Reduction Week the recycling plant. See how recyclables are sorted and marketed—find out what real-
Coordinator will be watching the depots, sidewalks and apartment recycling spaces in ly happens to all those things you put in your blue bag. To reserve your place for the
your neighborhood and offering random rewards to lucky recyclers. Get your blue bags 20-minute tour, please contact ReCool at 577-0411.
out and you might be a winner this week!
Retail Program
Household Hazardous Waste Depot Local businesses including WalMart, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, and Zellers will
Old lawnmower gas, motor oil, dead batteries, old medicines, leftover stain and paint help us to educate the community about the environmentally friendly products and ser-
– this is a great time to get rid of all your household hazardous waste before winter! vices their store offers. Watch for the “Too good to Waste” logo and reminder messages
The Household Hazardous Waste Depot is free on store shelves! Paint stores including Color Your
of charge for city residents, and you can drop World, Northern Decorating, and Superior
off items all year round. The Depot will be Coatings will be distributing stickers that remind
staffed Monday through Saturday during Waste you to safely dispose of paint with every can sold.
Reduction Week. Many thanks to all of our local retail partners for
participating in Waste Reduction Week!
School Programs
EcoSuperior will visit ten local schools during Radio Contests
Waste Reduction Week. This year’s interactive Be listening to your favorite radio stations for a
presentations will focus on Shopping Smart, chance to win a great prize package including a
and give students practical ideas on how to reusable lunch bag, travel mug, recycling bags and
reduce waste and make wise choices. Schools much more. But be sure to brush up on your waste
hosting presentations will also have the oppor- reduction trivia—you’ll need to know the right
tunity to participate in a Battery Round Up pro- stuff to win!
gram, where students can bring dead batteries
to school to be collected for safe disposal. For more information on any of these programs
Batteries should never go in the garbage can! visit www.ecosuperior.com and click on the Waste
Plus, we will be offering a Battery Collection Reduction Week link, or call Sabrina at 624-2147.

School Profile: McKellar Park School

Many people have made waste/litter/recycling issues their priority this year and
there is lots of action happening at the community level. There are also many initia-
tives being carried out in schools, such as McKellar Park Elementary School. Sue
Paskoski, School Council Chair, has been leading a dedicated bunch of students in var-
ious Environmental initiatives, such as recycling.
The Staff and students of McKellar Park have a yearly tradition of celebrating Earth
Day and cleaning up the school grounds. This year they held large events and had con-
tests which encouraged students to care about recycling. For example, they cleaned
their school grounds and held a coloring contest. One of the most exciting opportuni-
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ties was a recycling design contest. Students were asked to submit designs (with expla-
nations) of a recycling system that they would like to have at their school, and explain
why it would be effective. There were many interesting entries, but the winner had the
best prize of all: having their idea actually constructed at the school! They are hoping
to build the winning design this Spring, and they are looking for community sponsor-
ship and construction or materials assistance.
Sue says that all of this effort has made a difference: students are now paying atten-
tion-to things like keeping the school yard clean, being kind to trees, animals and each
other, and living up to their “Cougar Code”. Some of the recycling initiatives that they
have taken within their school include:
• Pop can collection: pop cans bins are located in the lunch room, and pop tabs are
saved for the ‘Wheelchairs’ charity fundraiser. Handouts are sent home to parents
• Each classroom has a bin for recycling paper, although the SK class also recycles
tetra packs and plastic
• There are recycling bins outside the gymnasium (lunch room) – for every recyclable

RECYCLE SPOT!
NEW LOCATION: Over Main Street Bridge, Left on Hammond
material to be dropped off.
• They have a “Recycling Crew” (this began last year), made up of five Grade 5 boys
who monitor what is discarded at lunch and make sure it is properly sorted.
Cash Buyers of Scrap Non-Ferrous Metals They can often be heard criticizing others for their silly mistakes! For exam-
We Pay Cash For: Copper, Brass, Lead, Lead-Acid Batteries, Stainless Steel, Catalytic Converters, ple…when someone throws a bottle into the regular garbage can…they shout “Are you
Insulated Cable, Radiators, Aluminum - Including Pop Cans - Bins Available crazy!!?? Don’t you know that is money going into the garbage can?” Clearly, these
students have got the message: that many things that we throw away are wasted-and
NEW *Lugger Container Service* are often recyclable/worth something!
Free Residential, Commercial & Industrial Pick-Up In the coming year, McKellar Park school will be forming an Eco-Team that will
participate in Waste Reduction Week, hold a battery collection and in the spring, orga-
$$$ Call Today — 807-346-4785 $$$ nize a Walking School Bus.

4
 ECO-NEWS • EcoSuperior • 5

Rain Barrel
Reminder
A reminder to those who have enjoyed
watering their plants with a rain barrel all
summer long: be sure to turn your barrels
upside down or take them inside for storage
over the winter. Any water left inside could
cause the barrel to freeze and split! Don’t
take a chance – put your rain barrel away
before Old Man Winter spoils it for you.

Promote
Waste
Reduction
at YOUR
Business!
Would you like to give your customers a
nice gift along with a great reminder that its
Waste Reduction Week in Thunder Bay
October 16 – 22? ReCool and the City of
Thunder Bay are providing a limited num-
ber of recycling prize packages for you to
give out at your store during the week. To

Trash Busters
receive your pack of 25 customer rewards,
be one of the first 10 stores to contact us. We
will deliver your prize packages for you to
provide to your customers during the week.
Call now, supplies are limited. Contact Have you noticed the Simpson-Ogden area has been tidier in recent months? The new look is thanks to a group of individuals who
Helen at ReCool @ 577-0411, ext. 6. like to call themselves “the Trash Bashers” (formally known as ‘Neighborhood Volunteers for Change’), who clean up the area every
Wednesday evening and will continue to do so until it is too cold! Their motto is “NVFC are walking through our neighborhood, pick-
ing up litter, one street at a time”. If you would like to volunteer or just find out more - please call Action for Neighborhood Change

Fat Facts
Last year, according to Popular Science
at 626-1765. E-mail anc@unitedway-tbay.on.ca

magazine, the FAA finally revised its 66-

year-old assumptions about passenger
weight, due to the growing obesity problem,
which as you can see from the figures below,
has a significant impact on air travel and the
environment!
• 170 pounds – assumed average male pas-
senger weight until 2003
• 184 pounds – new assumed average male
passenger weight
• 14.8 billion gallons – amount of jet fuel
consumed by U.S. air travel in one year
• 350 million gallons – amount of jet fuel
that could have been saved if passenger
weight remained at the 170 lb average
• 3.8 million tons – amount of carbon diox-
ide generated by burning 350 million gal-
lons of jet fuel
Adapted from Popular Science, Feb. 2005
Great Pumpkin Compost Collection
Residents will be encouraged to “Put
Jack in the Box, and Not in the Trash!”
Compost bins for Halloween Pumpkins
will be set up from November 1st to
November 13th at the Lakehead Labour
Centre – Fort William Road, County Fair
Mall – Dawson Road and the Westfort
Playfield—Neebing Avenue. Pumpkin
collection bins are sponsored by ReCool
Canada.
Last year, the annual Halloween
pumpkin collection appeared to be an
astonishing success—a total of 27,000 kg
of material contributed to the city’s
municipal composting site, more than
10,000 kg over the 2004 total. But sever-
al loads were contaminated with non-
compostable garbage, including items
such as a floor jack, a toilet, skis, scrap for by the City of Thunder Bay, coordinat-
metal and paint cans. Program sponsors ed by EcoSuperior, with service provided
were dismayed at the added cost to have by ReCool.
Landfill site staff sort all of the trash from Added signage on this year’s
the pumpkins in order to avoid dam- bins will hopefully help
aging equipment used to shred keep out the trash, but
and screen the compost. if you see anyone
The objective of the dumping anything
pumpkin collection is to other than pump-
reinforce awareness of the kins into the col-
value of compostable lection bins—let
material. The pumpkins them know. It’s
become part of the com- all about com-
post that is made avail- post, and noth-
able to city residents each ing but! No plas-
spring to improve lawns tic bags, no can-
and gardens. It is part of Waste dles, no trash—just
Reduction Week programming paid pumpkins please!

5
 ECO-NEWS • EcoSuperior • 6

They’re Back!
Appliance Rebates
Thunder Bay Hydro is once again launching its popular energy conservation appli-
ance rebates this fall. TB Hydro customers who purchase an Energy Star rated refriger-
ator, freezer, clothes washer or dishwasher after October 1, 2006 will be eligible to apply
for a rebate credit on their Hydro account. Rebates run from $50 to $85 for refrigerators,
$35 to $50 for freezers, $40 to $60 for dishwashers and $50 to $65 for clothes washers.
“Our goal is to encourage people to choose the most energy-efficient models,” says
Wayne Sunohara, Energy Service Advisor with Thunder Bay Hydro. “There are a lot of
options out there, and people need to look at the long term operating costs as well as the
purchase price.”
The Energy Star rating program provides a simple way to compare appliances, and
identifies those that have been tested to meet or exceed higher energy efficiency stan- Evacuated tube collectors deliver much greater efficiency than standard flex plate collectors.
dards. The lower the energy and/or water usage of the appliance, the higher rebate.
In order to receive the rebate, customers need to complete a Rebate Application,
available at EcoSuperior’s office at 212 Miles Street East (between May & Simpson).
When you visit our office, you will also require: Purchase receipt for the appliance,
Proof of the EnergyStar rating, and Thunder Bay Hydro account number
A Solar Alternative
The sun seems like such an excellent tank. Depending on the set-up, the stored
Your rebate will be calculated and applied directly to your Thunder Bay Hydro source of free energy — all that sunlight heat can be used to operate a domestic
account. Note that there are a limited number of rebates available, on a first come, first streaming to the earth and most of it hot water system, an in-floor heating
served basis. Only appliances purchased after October 1, 2006 are eligible. bouncing away unused! Evacuated Tube system, or a heating coil in the furnace.
Solar Collectors can be used to heat Because of the high efficiency, the
Get rid of the water for both domestic and space heat- system performs well even on cloudy
Extra Refrigerator ing uses. Not a new technology, the days and in winter weather. Wondering
product has been in use in Europe and how glass tubes stand up to Canadian
Thunder Bay Hydro is also offer- Asia for more than 20 years. But a for- storms? The tubes are tested to withstand
ing an incentive to help you get rid mer Thunder Bay resident is hoping to 35 mm hail, and performance testing has
of that second refrigerator or old make the system more commonplace in been carried out in Sweden, Germany
freezer that likely uses more than Canada. and Arctic climates.
twice as much energy as a newer Wendy Maever started her own com- There is some financial assistance
model. Many people end up keeping pany, Canadian Solar Technologies Ltd available. The Northern Ontario Heritage
an old fridge in the basement (just to with a vision to kickstart the solar indus- Fund has a support program for on-site
store the beer or extra pop) mainly try in this nation. “Evacuated tube tech- energy generation for small businesses in
because it’s such a hassle to get rid nology delivers 65 percent efficiency, Northern Ontario as part of their Small
of it. Old refrigerators cannot be and that means a huge reduction in pay- Business Energy Conservation Program.
taken to the landfill site or metal back time,” she explains. “It’s especially The program covers a wide variety of
recycler unless the Freon has been attractive for commercial buildings, with applications including solar hot water for
removed by a licensed service payback times of less than 10 years.” restaurants, solar air heating for small
provider. For a limited time, you The collectors contain a number of manufacturing plants and solar pool heat-
can receive a rebate for disposal costs glass tubes, each containing an absorber ing for hotels. In addition, there is a
up to $59.00. Contact EcoSuperior at plate suspended in a vacuum. The closed Provincial Sales Tax Rebate on all solar
624-2140 for a list of refrigerator disposal system transfers heat to a fluid circuit, equipment sold in Ontario. To find out
companies. Again, only a limited number then a circulation pump brings heated more about evacuated tube solar systems,
of rebates are available, so don’t delay! fluid into the building, a solar storage visit www.canadiansolartechnologies.ca

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6
 ECO-NEWS • EcoSuperior • 7

Fall Curbside Leaf & Gift Ideas

Garden Waste Collection
Looking for some earth-friendly gift sugges-
tions? EcoSuperior can help. City residents can
purchase gift certificates for composters ($20)
Between November 1 and 14 on your regular recycling collection day only, place your leaves and organic garden waste or rain barrels ($35 with a City of Thunder Bay
in a Kraft (paper) bag or any clear plastic bag at the curb, with your recyclables. Paper bags are best as they turn into com- water account number), or pick up either item
post too! NO GRASS CLIPPINGS PLEASE. Bundle branches in no longer than 3 foot lengths. There is no bag limit for leaf at our office. We are now stocking rain barrels
and organic garden waste collection. Material collected will be composted in the Leaf & Yard Waste laydown area at the John and composters year round.
Street Landfill Site. Questions? Call City of Thunder Bay Environment Division at 684-2195. Another excellent gift idea, especially for
someone who has just purchased a home, is a

Solar Farming?
The Thunder Bay area’s renewable energy future is look-
ing brighter, with two new proposed developments in the
works. A recent public open house on the large scale wind
development in Shuniah township received a very positive
response. But many people are unaware that a huge new solar
farm development has also been proposed in the area.
Skypower Corporation recently applied for a zoning
change on a piece of property in Oliver-Paipoonge township.
They presented to council in September their plan to build a
10 megawatt solar photo voltaic farm – which would produce
enough power for 2400 homes. This would be the largest solar
farm in North America.
The firm had advertised in local papers earlier this year
looking to purchase suitable property. The proposed site is
just off Highway 61 near Boundary Road. The presentation to
council stated that the project is worth $60-70 million, and
will incorporate 50,000 solar panels that will feed directly
into the local grid system.
Both the wind and solar developments to date will be
owned by large private corporations. Wouldn’t it be nice to
see a community-owned renewable energy project, where
both the power and the profits would stay in Thunder Bay?
Perhaps that will be the next big news story!
gift certificate for a Home Energy Evaluation.
For $200, you are providing a comprehensive
inspection and evaluation of energy use to help
identify opportunities that will reduce heating
costs for years to come. The service includes
complete air leakage testing and a comprehen-
sive report.
Smaller gifts and keepsake items include our
cloth shopping bags ($2) and T-shirts--Thunder
Bay Cares About Conservation—(just $8). Or
for something practical, you might want to pur-
chase a supply of blue recycling bags—50 bags
for only $10. When you come shopping at our
office, keep in mind that we can only accept
cash or cheques, please.

About 25 people came out to the Keg in April for the inaugural Green Drinks event, and a good mix of
environmentally minded people continue to meet once a month. New members are welcome.
Green Drinks
Looking for a good reason to get together with like-minded people once a month?
How about Green Drinks? It’s the people who are green, not the beer! EcoSuperior
launched a Thunder Bay chapter of Green Drinks International earlier this year, and our
e-mail list now includes over 75 people.
Green Drinks was founded in London, England, in 1989 by a green designer after an
impromptu gathering at a local pub. Groups are now in about 130 cities around the
world, including in Japan, Chile, India, Australia and across Europe. The idea is to have
an unstructured get-together of people who care about or are working on environmental
issues and ideas. Everyone is welcome. Join in a discussion on a subject that interests
you, find out what’s happening around town, discover some volunteer opportunities, or
maybe even a new job. Or just enjoy an after-work drink with a group of friendly folks!
Thunder Bay Green Drinks started in April 2006, and is usually scheduled on the
third Wednesday of every month. Location of the gathering varies, and can be found at
www.greendrinks.org click on Canada, then on Thunder Bay for your local update. If
you would like to be notified of future gatherings, please send a request to ellen@eco-
superior.com
Join us from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18 at Tony and Adams (250 Red
River Rd) and on November 15 at the Madhouse (295 Bay St.) Cheers!

MOD SHOP
(A recycling member of our community)
Your Donations Divert Tons of Reusable Items From Our Landfill Site and help us assist adults with disabilities in Thunder Bay
WE ARE DOING CURBSIDE - Just fill a clear or blue bag with clothing and put it at curbside on your regular recycling day.
Items we accept include: Our Bin Locations: Drop Off Donations at:
Furniture • Quality Used Clothing, 237 Camelot Street 237 Camelot Street or at Mod Shop,
Books, Toys, Housewares, Kakabeka Esso 140 South Syndicate Avenue
Small Working Appliances (TV’s, VCR’s, Stereos) Behind the Brick
No Large Appliances

For Fast Free Pickup of

Large Items, Please Call 622-5281 Monday - Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

7
 ECO-NEWS • EcoSuperior • 8

Toilet Talk
Did you know that the City of Thunder Bay will
actually pay you to improve your bathroom? If you
have toilets that date back to the eighties or earlier,
you are probably wasting at least 13 litres of water
with every flush. Have a plumber install a new 6-litre
toilet, and you can get $125 credit on your water bill.
In fact, you can replace two toilets and get $250 back.
This program has been in place for several years, but if
you have not yet taken advantage of it, here’s how. First, contact
EcoSuperior to arrange an appointment for your Water Saver Home Visit. We’ll send a
nice fellow to your house to measure flow rates at all your faucets and confirm that your
old toilet requires replacement. He’ll also bring along a free water conservation kit,
including faucet aerators and a water-saving showerhead, plus your rebate application
form. You must have the visit before the toilet is replaced. You can purchase a CSA-cer-
tified 6-litre toilet from any source. Shop around, and get a model that suits your décor
and your budget. The new two-button toilets also qualify for the rebate. You must have
the toilet installed by one of our participating plumbers—contact our office or our web-
site for a list.
The program is available only to customers on the City of Thunder Bay water system,
and only for replacement toilets installed by a listed plumber. Rebates are not available
for new bathroom installations, as 6-litre toilets are now required by Ontario’s building Have you looked down your well lately? The Well Aware program recommends a thorough check of your
well and the surrounding area at least once a year. It is also suggested that well water be tested three times
code. Rebates apply to multi-unit buildings as well. Contact EcoSuperior for details. a year, especially around periods of heavy rain in spring and fall. You can pick up a copy of the Well Aware
information kit at the EcoSuperior office.

Washing Machine Well, Well…

Rebates
The new Energy Star rated washing machines use up to 20 percent less energy and
In Thunder Bay and several other communities across Ontario, rural folks have had
the opportunity to learn more about maintaining a safe water supply through the Well
Aware program. Certified water guides, including our own Jim Bailey, have been trav-
eling the dirt roads, helping people conduct a self-guided assessment of their own
wells and septic systems through the project’s at-home service.
as much as 70 percent less water than traditional clothes washers. Plus, the City of
“It’s been great to spend time outdoors, seeing different neighbourhoods, and meet-
Thunder Bay is currently offering a limited number of washing machine rebates, to save
ing the homeowners,” says Jim, “and people seem to really appreciate the information
you another $100!
we provide.”
If you are replacing an older washing machine, you should take a look at the new
Well Aware information kits are still available at our office, but the home visits are
front load models. These appliances feature sensors that match water needs to the size
winding down for the season. Judging by the response, the program is much needed,
of each load. Their advanced, high speed motors reduce the length of the spin cycle and
but we do not know whether or not the Ministry of Environment will continue the
remove more water from clothes, so less time and energy are needed for drying.
funding necessary for us to provide the service. Province-wide, nearly 80% of wells
Another major advantage is that your clothes will suffer less wear and tear, because the
visited under the program do not meet current standards. You can find out more about
machines do not use an agitator to stir the laundry.
the program by visiting www.wellaware.ca
For Energy Star rated washing machines purchased after May 2006, bring your pur-
We would like to thank all of the local partners who have helped us delivery the
chase receipt, water account number and proof of the Energy Star rating to our office,
program this year, including The City of Thunder Bay Environment Division, Thunder
where you’ll be asked to fill out a small survey and application form. Then we’ll
Bay District Health Unit, Ontario Ministry of Environment District office, ALS
process your $100 credit to your water account. Rebates are limited and available only
Laboratories, Miller PreCast, A-One Sewage and the local well drillers.
while supplies last. Please call our office to ensure that there are rebates left before you
We received the following note the other day from one of Jim’s fellow water guides,
drop in. Talk to Donna at 624-2140.
from the Elora area. It provides a very positive and slightly humorous summary of the
Well Aware experience.

Hello everyone,
I find myself wondering if all of you folks have been enjoying yourself as much as I
have doing Well Aware visits this summer. What a great way to spend summer days dri-
ving around the countryside with your favourite C.D.s on and visiting people to talk
210 - 1205 Amber Drive Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M4 about their wells and septic systems. I have found that the clients are most apprecia-
tive for the visits and the info they receive. It's pretty rewarding. Fortunately there have
(807) 623-2141 Fax: (807) 622-1282 only been a few visits when I got caught in a deluge of rainfall and came home soaked,
www.fitzpatrickandpartners.com email: info@fitzpatrickandpartners.com but the good times have made up for it.
I find it amusing on a hot day when you've just been looking down an old dug well with
Paul Fitzpatrick, CA* Marcel Gagnon, CA* no cover that is obviously being impacted by a mess of contaminants (dead squirrels,
snakes, rats etc. floating around) and the well owner offers you a glass of water.
Rick Trochimchuk, CA* Steve Blazino, CA* Finding the right words to graciously decline can be fun.
Moe Siemieniuk, CA • CBV* Tammy Wylie, CGA CA*
I'm sorry the season will soon be coming to an end.
*Professional Corporation
Cheers!