Santa’s sleigh bells are a still echoing in our ears as we roll out of bed to don new (to us) outfits and play with new (or homemade) treasures and gadgets.
Holiday leftovers are filling up the fridge and wrapping paper perhaps decorating the living room floor. How can we keep the holiday spirit alive even after the main event? There are plenty of earth-friendly ways to pass the dark and stormy holidays.
Now that you may be enjoying gifts from loved ones, you may also be struggling for storage space.
One way to minimize clutter is to donate one item for every new-to-you present. This keeps children’s toy boxes from overflowing and simplifies choices when it comes to getting dressed in the morning. A great guideline is to purge anything you haven’t used in the past calendar year.
With the New Year just beginning, now may also be the time to consider what new skills you want to learn. Perhaps you wished you could have sung a loved one a song, changed your friend’s tires, or sewn a stocking for your grandkids this year, but didn’t quite know how yet.
Maker Space and Fibre Space are both amazing options for low-cost skill sharpening.
Now located at Vancouver Island University, Maker Space is a shared high-tech workshop run by the Powell River Technology Co-op. Members can be trained to use the co-op’s laser, which can cut and etch wood, paper, textiles and some plastics, its 3D printer, its complete soldering workstation, and more. Contact organizers at info@prmakerspace.com to learn more.
Fibre Space is located at Oceanview Education Centre on Nootka Street and is a VIU and School District 47-supported project. It aims to encourage local fibre and fashion. They have sewing machines, classes, a room full of fabric scraps and drop-in days where you can learn from local artists. Mark your calendars for its reopening on January 9.
One more way to stay off the naughty list for next year is to recycle. Wrapping paper that is free of bows and any plastic can go in curbside or depot bins. Broken electronics from years gone by can finally be dropped off at the Return-It Depot on Duncan Street, while small appliances go to the Town Centre Recycling Depot or the Return-It Depot.
Empty household batteries can be dropped off at any qathet Regional District recycling depot, as well as Rona.
Thanks for doing your part to ensure we gift the planet only smiles this season. Happy New Year from Let’s Talk Trash!
Let’s Talk Trash is qathet Regional District’s waste-reduction education program.
