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C4 Terrace Review —

Environmentally friendly? —

by Stephanie Wiebe -

How do we know the recycled
content of the products. we use?
The three circular arrows, called
the "Mobius Loop" (named after
its designer), is a universally
accepted symbol for a recycled
product. But variations of the loop
make paper selection confusing for
the consumer, and there are no
standards for use of the loop.
Recently, Consumer and Corporate
Affairs Canada assembled a task
force of government, industries and
environmental groups to revise the
guidelines for use of the Mobius
Loop. These are guidelines,
however, not regulations. This
means that, as consumers, we are
still in the dark, unless we can
determine, whether manufacturers

‘of these products follow these

guidelines or not. In our recycling-
conscious society, the loop may
easily be misused as a sales
booster for many products.

According to the new guidelines,
the loop by itself means that the
product wearing this symbol is
recyclable. Without available
facilities for the recycling of these
goods, however, the recyclability
of such labelled products is
questionable. The new guidelines
suggest the use of the phrase
"where facilities exist" to qualify
this recyclable symbol.

Wednesday, June 12, 1991:

A dark circle of shading behind
the Mobius Loop represents a
product made from recycled
materials. According to the
guidelines, a product featuring this
symbol should be made of 100
percent post-consumer waste; that
is, materials that have served their
intended purpose and been diverted
for recycling. To represent a lower
percentage of recycled content, the
guidelines suggest that a percen-
tage number be placed in or near
the symbol.

The new guidelines specify that
the vague phrase "environmentally
friendly” is a meaningless
statement that implies
environmental benefit, and should

-be used with “extreme caution".

Also, the use of the word "safe"
should not be used as part of an
environmental claim.

Let’s recycle for a Better World

Don’t throw away garbage or preity soon there won’t
be room in the garbage dump because. when paper.
turns into dirt the bulldozers push it into piles. And if
they keep doing this for 100,000 years there won't be
room in any of the garbage dumps in the world.

And after a rain storm mud might roll.

Steven Biagioni, Kiti K’Shan School
| (excerpt from the 1991 Earthday anthology, a project
of the Terrace District Teacher-Librarians’ Ass'n.

Environment Canada's

Environmental Choice program,
with its "Ecologo" of three doves
forming a maple leaf, is the most
"consumer friendly" measurement
of recycled content in Canada
today. The Ecologo is a symbo! of
certification, and may not be used
without a licence issued by
Environmental Choice. The
Canadian Standards Association is
under contract with Environmental
Choice to test products against the
criteria, and issue licences
accordingly. The logo is
accompanied by specific recycled
content. For example, for fine
papers the content is currently
specified as "over 50 percent
recycled paper including five
percent post-consumer fibre."
Manufacturer’s are required to pay

for the initial testing, and also an |
annual fee for use of the Ecologo. .
We must protect our environment!

HELPERS FOR THE WEEK (front to rear) Garett Munson,
Heather Lavoie, Echo Howes and Shanda Skoda lovingly water
flowering plants grown in the classrooms and transplanted to
outdoor planters by Ms. Odette’s, Mrs. Bowering’s and Ms.
MacBean's Grade 4 students at Thornhill Elementary School.

School District 88 is proud of the
many projects and programs under
way in our schools. Our teachers and
students from kindergarten through
the senior level are involved.

A recent project undertaken was the
Howe Creek Clean-up. This creek is
once again clear and clean, thanks to
the efforts of Caledonia students.

Check out 'G.

our specially |

- gale-priced
appliance = j&

department! 4.

A

$40 rebate

There are now more than 200 Power Smart energy-efficient refrigerators for you to choose from. Ard
‘to help you decide, Hydro is offering significant cash rebates. When you’re shopping for a new fridge,
"just look for the Power Smart slicker. There are energy-efficient models for which you can get a $40
rebate and there arc super energy-cfficient models with a super rebate of $65. Be sure to ask your
_ salesperson to show you the qualifying Power Smart models. Complcte lists are also available from
your salesperson or local Hydro olficc. You wilt also receive our special Power Smart rebate form. Fill
it out and send. it in with a proof of purchase, Your rebate will be on its way. And because your new
fridge is Power Smart, you also get on-going cnergy savings. So you save now... and you save later.

FURNITURE & APPLIANCE LID.

Since (01

$65 rebate

Yat Totem ALL

e MAYTAG
Py? MAGIC cur

/\ Retrigerators
Ay, are Smarter!

ny Hs

At Howe Creek, some of the students from
Caledonia responsible for the construction of
this bridge.

Through ‘ongoing projects and
education, we all help ensure a clean,
safe environment.

School District 88

3211 Kenney St.,
Terrace
635-4931