Christmas Recycling + Stolen Sled Returned

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🌧️ New West Weather - Light Rain

Rain Riddle - What’s rain’s favourite accessory?

 (Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

🗓️ New West Events - check out the list

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Christmas Recycling + Stolen Sled Returned

 😀 Viral Meme

 📰 Advertise with New West Spotlight - Buy One, Get One Free

Read New West Spotlight Online

December 27, 2024

⛄️ Winter Discovery Days 2024 – 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM

👪️ Family Playtime Drop-in (Quayside) – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

👪️ Uptown Playtime Drop-in (Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces) – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 Family Holiday Movies – 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM

🍔 Between 2 Buns  – 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎸 Live Music at The Terminal - Mike Van Eyes – 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – Doors open at 6:00 PM

December 28, 2024

⛄️ Winter Discovery Days 2024 – 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth – (For youth ages 13 - 18) 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🎸 Scarz - Elabrynth - R:u:IN - VI King – 7:00 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

December 29, 2024

⛄️ Winter Discovery Days 2024 – 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM

🧘 Free Guided Meditation Session by Heartfulness – 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

🎄 Christmas Lessons and Carols (Holy Trinity Cathedral) – 10:00 AM to 11:50 AM

⛪️ Burning Bowl Ceremony – 1:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

 ♻️ From Bin to Rebirth: The Journey of Recycling in New Westminster

Ever wonder what happens after your recycling is collected in New Westminster? We did this while attempting to organize all the Christmas recyclable packaging so it would fit into the bin. Here's a step-by-step look at how materials are transformed into new products, thanks to advanced sorting and processing systems at recovery facilities.

The Recycling Journey

1. Delivery to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF):
   Once collected, recyclable materials are delivered to a local MRF. At the facility, machines and workers sort the items to remove contaminants and separate materials into categories such as plastic, glass, paper, and metal.

2. Sorting:
   Using specialized equipment like drum screens, magnetic separators, and optical sorters, materials are divided into their respective types. This meticulous process ensures that only clean, recyclable materials proceed to the next stage.

3. Baling:
   After sorting, materials are compressed into large bales, grouped by type, and shipped to their respective end markets.

4. Processing:
   Baled materials are processed into raw materials—plastics are pelletized, paper is pulped, metals are melted, and glass is ground—ready to be made into new products.

Where Materials Go

Materials collected as part of the Recycle BC program are sold and processed locally, across Canada, and internationally:

• Plastics: These are processed into pellets in Metro Vancouver for use in new packaging and products.

• Glass: Transformed into new bottles in Abbotsford or sandblast material in Quesnel.

• Metal Containers: Recycled into aluminum cans and sheet metal in BC, Ontario, or the U.S.

• Paper: Made into products like boxes and egg cartons in BC, the U.S., or overseas.

• Foam Packaging: Recycled locally and abroad into items like picture frames and crown molding.

• Flexible Plastics: Converted into pellets combining various plastic types to create a versatile feedstock for manufacturing.

Why Contamination Matters

Recycling markets are competitive and constantly changing. Clean, well-sorted materials are essential to maintaining access to end markets. Contamination—non-recyclable items, improperly rinsed containers, or tied bags—reduces the quality of recyclables and may cause materials to be rejected.

Strategies for Success

To keep contamination rates low, Recycle BC employs several measures:

• Multi-stream collection: Separating paper from other materials reduces contamination.

• Depot-only collection: Items like foam packaging, glass, and soft plastics are better handled at depots.

• Strict contamination limits: Collectors aim for a maximum contamination rate of 3%.

• Resident education: Informing residents about what can and can’t go in the bins.

• Curbside enforcement: Contaminated bins may not be collected.

How You Can Help

• Rinse your recyclables: Clean materials are more likely to be accepted and recycled.

• Follow the guidelines: Include only items accepted in the Recycle BC program.

• Use recycling depots: Non-curbside materials, such as foam or flexible plastics, can be taken to depots.

Residents of multi-family buildings not part of Recycle BC can still participate by returning clean materials to one of over 200 depots across BC. Visit RecycleBC.ca to search for accepted materials or find a nearby depot.

By recycling properly, you play a vital role in ensuring materials are transformed into new products, supporting sustainability, and keeping valuable resources in circulation..

 🕵️‍♀️ Community Teamwork Turns Christmas Theft Into a Heartwarming Story

A New Westminster resident's cherished Christmas sled, a one-of-a-kind treasure that took hours of loving restoration, has been returned after it was stolen from her property last week. The sled, an integral part of her festive yard decorations, disappeared unexpectedly, prompting her to file a report with local authorities and spread the word on social media with the help of BC Crime Watch.

The community quickly rallied around her, with many sharing posts and staying vigilant. The breakthrough came when someone spotted the sled and immediately reported it to the Surrey Police. Constable Dhillon delivered the good news by returning the sled to its overjoyed owner.

The homeowner expressed deep gratitude to the Good Samaritan who came forward and the police for their swift action. "It’s people like this who step out of their comfort zone to do the right thing that makes the world a better place," she shared. The sled, while just an object, holds immense sentimental value and spreads joy to all who see it as part of her elaborate Christmas display.

The heartwarming outcome is a reminder of the strength of community ties and the power of collaboration. Social media also played a crucial role in spreading awareness, proving how it can be a force for good.

With new security measures in place, including additional cameras, the homeowner hopes to prevent future incidents. She also issued a warning about a suspicious vehicle potentially linked to the theft—a black Dodge Charger with no front license plate.

Despite the ordeal, the happy ending has brightened her holiday season and is an uplifting way to head into the new year.

Get your tickets now.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

⛈️ What’s rain’s favourite accessory? ☔️ 

🌈 A rainbow. 🌈 

Meme of the Day

Brought to you by New West Spotlight Daily Digital Newsletter

What’s faster than word of mouth? New West Spotlight! It keeps you updated on what is happening locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Who else do you know in New West who might also enjoy reading the New West Spotlight?

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in an upcoming issue of New West Spotlight in front of thousands of New West residents?

 Check out our options.

Not a business owner, but love a local business?

Tell us all about it - send an email to [email protected]