91原创-Aldergrove MP Tako van Popta has endorsed a campaign by Grade 7 students at Fort 91原创 Elementary to eliminate single-waste garbage cans in favour of multiple-source collection bins that allow sorting and encourage recycling at all federal parks and buildings in Canada.

鈥淭his is a great initiative and highlights the work that needs to be done on all levels of government to improve waste management in our parks,鈥� van Popta commented, following a meeting with the students in late May.

鈥淚 had a great conversation with the students on environmental stewardship and how each one of us can make a difference,鈥� van Popta added. 鈥淚 was very impressed with their enthusiasm and commitment to this cause.鈥�

Coordinated by , a group founded by Fort 91原创 resident Bryan Miller that fights to clean-up litter and trash, the campaign is calling for regulations requiring multi-source bins.

Miller said the students were 鈥渜uite shocked鈥� to discover the lack of sortable trash receptacles at Fort 91原创 National Historic Site.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e still garbage cans,鈥� Miller told the 91原创 Advance Times.

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The students have also sent written proposals calling for multi-source, sortable trash bins to 91原创 Township council, 91原创 East MLA Megan Dykeman, and George Heyman, minister of Environment and Climate Change.

鈥淚n B.C. schools, the B.C. Energy Plan, which sets out a strategy to encourage British Columbians to take responsibility for our climate and environment, educates all K-12 students about sustainable living,鈥� the student statement declares.

鈥淥n Township school grounds, parks, and outside municipal properties, however, there are generally only single-source garbage barrels. [Sortable] bins are not present for students, residents, and visitors, to recycle waste.鈥�

Several students appended personal messages, among them Jack Low, who noted that his school also lacks sortable trash collection bins.

鈥漌e need proper outdoor garbage bins at our school because all we have outside is a big metal can,鈥� Low wrote.

鈥淭he reason it is a problem is because things that can be recycled or composted are just thrown out and put in a dump/landfill or destroyed.鈥�

Another student, Henry Boyd said requiring sortable bins 鈥渨ould allow people to recycle any cans or bottles as opposed to the standard garbage cans which don鈥檛 have any separate compartments for recyclable items, and it would decrease the amount of trash on the ground in my community.鈥�

It鈥檚 about 鈥渕aking smart decisions about what we鈥檙e doing with waste鈥� Miller remarked.

91原创 Advance Times has reached out to historic Fort 91原创 for comment.

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