Sponsoring FCM’s Tour de Force

Written for Call2Recycle web/newsletter, May 2014.

During the first week of July, almost 2,000 cyclists will be snaking their way through the French-speaking countryside in a well-known stage-race.  Among them will be Chris Karambatsos, Andrew Rubin, Luc Chayer, and Philip Swain, collectively representing the FCM Recycling team.  

However, none of this will happen in France.

The two-staged annual Ride to Conquer Cancer  takes place in Montreal and Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.  This charitable event has raised more than $32 million for cancer research across the province since its inception in 2008. In 2013 alone, it raised $6.3 million for specialized cancer therapy services at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.  These funds go towards supporting new technologies in the areas of molecular diagnostics, functional imaging, biomarkers, molecular target discovery and validation, and advanced targeted radiation therapy.

The FCM Recycling team’s goal is to raise $20,000 this year.  “We managed to raise this much last year for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, so we know the target is achievable.  We have less time for fundraising this year but we’re off to a stronger start, and have $6,000 banked already,” explains Karambatsos.

That sum includes a small donation from Call2Recycle as one of many corporate sponsors. FCM Recycling, which specializes in diverting end-of-life electronics and electrical equipment from landfills at six processing facilities across Canada, has collaborated with Call2Recycle for several years and for the last two years, won a coveted “Leader in Sustainability” award.  According to Karambatsos though, neither recycling nor fundraising are likely to be the big issue for 2014: “This winter has been so bad that the guys and I haven’t had much opportunity to train.  We need to make sure we can survive two days of 100km rides, so we’re hoping that spring arrives on-schedule!”

British Columbia youth environmentalism leads by example

Written for Call2Recycle web/newsletter, May 2014

Each year, Science World offers free entry for elementary and secondary schools in British Columbia (B.C.) to plan, execute and detail an environmental project. Call2Recycle has proudly sponsored Science World for three years, as part of its ongoing efforts to encourage the adoption of environmentally responsible behavior. This year’s competition was again stunning testimony to the sheer creativity and perseverance of the competitors.

Some schools participating in the ‘B.C. Green Games’ maintained projects from previous years’ games to build upon and expand.  With assistance from teachers or third parties, students from K-12 built composting programs, recycling programs, and even a nature trail  signposted with details about the natural flora and fauna.  Smithers Secondary School built a whole new geodesic dome greenhouse from the ground up!  Reynolds Secondary School even researched the environmental impact of different forms of public transport in the local community, and concluded that e-bikes were the best compromise.  So, the team there designed an e-bike conversion kit for regular bicycles!

As the competition matures, entries are evolving to have practical, tangible impact on local communities too.  For example, Semiahmoo Secondary School had such a successful organic garden that it is now liaising with local charities.  That’s right: not only is this particular B.C. Green Games project providing fresh, organic food to the school canteen, but the surplus may later feed the homeless.  These efforts are built into the community without financial transactions: they exist for all the right reasons.

To celebrate the success of the games and to thank those who took part, all B.C. Green Games’ participants were invited to come together at TELUS World of Science for Earth Day last month, either in-person or via live broadcast.  A live rock concert with an environmental theme kicked off the day-long party, which was later joined by the Jellyfish Project.  This organization encourages young generations to tap into their ability and opportunity to repair the human damage done to Earth, and create new systems that will prevent such damage from continuing.  In their presentation, members of the Jellyfish Project coined the phrase, “The U-Turn Generation” to describe youth with a new set of attitudes, norms, and capabilities who have both the knowledge and resolve to disseminate positive change in conservation practices. 

For a list of the winners, more details, or to watch the documentaries the schools produced, check here.