Greening Initiative says local businesses getting into enviro-friendly mode

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The Chaleur Greening Initiative continues to connect with local businesses in order to promote sustainable practices for business and industry.

Formed in May 2004, the CGI launched an initiative last November to work with regional industries, businesses and individuals to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. So far, 10 local businesses and industries are on board, said a news release from the Chaleur Greening Initiative.

The Carpet Ranch in Beresford was the first business to commit to a project. The company has paid for the planting of 35,000 trees in the Nigadoo area to offset the carbon footprint left by its fleet of vehicles.

Brunswick Mine and Xstrata Zinc have designed a heat recovery unit for the led concentrate dryer. The projected reduction in heat loss will save the equivalent of 800,000 litres of fuel oil each year.

Greenhouse gas emissions will also be reduced by 1,250 tons annually together with a significant reduction in air particulates.

Over the course of this year, Xstrata Zinc plans to double the volume of batteries and cathode ray tubes recycled. Lead from batteries is recycled, the plastic housing's converted to plastic beads and sold to battery producers. CRT glass from computer monitors and televisions contains 15 to 35 per cent lead, which is recycled, and the silica in the glass is used as a flux in lead smelting process. Both project recycle waster lead and reduce demand on landfills.

Blue Note Metals, at their own expense of $2 million, plan to move 184,000 cubic metres of the tailings at the Caribou Mines near Bathurst. Metals and acids from these tailing's seep into Forty Mile Brook. The environmental problem was left from previous mining activity before Blue Note purchased the mine.

The tailings will be transferred to a newly constructed tailing's impound. This project will have immediate and long term benefits on the water quality of Forty Mile Brook.

The Sitel call centre in Big River has introduced several greening initiatives. All cleaning products are now rated green and dusting cloths are reusable. Paper for training manuals has been reduced by 80 per cent and double sided copying is used whenever possible. Large bins are used to collect paper for shredding and recycling.

Cans, plastic and glass containers in the lunchroom are recycled with proceeds towards employee activities. The number one benefit has been significant cost savings and reduced wear on copiers, printers, less waste the landfill and reduction of chemicals in the environment.

The Atlantic Host will replace sliding windows with thermo vinyl units, reducing energy costs. Recycling bins will be placed in guest rooms to reduce demand on landfills.

Danny's Inn and Conference Centre in Beresford will also collect papers and newspapers from guest rooms.

Barbara and Phil Thibodeau of Toutes Saisons bed and breakfast in Pointe Verte explained that during the winter some find kitchen waste cannot be composted and consequently ends up in the garbage.

Using special worms, this material can be broken down, without any smell, into a rich soil amendment for the garden.

The Kenny Group will be renovating 209 Main St. in Bathurst with new siding, insulation and windows. This will reduce energy consumption and the new look will attract tenants and help revitalize the downtown.

Finally, The Northern Light newspaer has aimed to reduce energy costs by shutting down computers and lights when not in use.

Also, Bathurst City Hall recycles paper with confidential material being shredded.