Christine Leadman has lived in Kitchissippi Ward for over 20 years. During that time she has been very active in community organizations and charities including the Westboro Village BIA, the Toy Mountain campaign and Dovercourt Recreation Association.
As a resident and as a councillor she has worked to find ways to support initiatives that would result in a more sustainable community and city as a whole. As a member of the Transportation and Transit Committees she is seeing first-hand how important it is to make decisions that result in a more efficient and sustainable city. She plans to continue working to ensure Kitchissippi Ward remains one of the most vibrant, sustainable and peaceful areas to live in Ottawa.
Why did you decide to become a Green Bin Champion?
I felt that it was important to participate, especially since I was somewhat sceptical about the amount of waste we would see diverted from landfill with the Green Bin program. We already compost at home, but found there were items that cannot be put into our backyard composter. The green bin provided a recycling alternative for those items.
What has surprised you most about using your green bin?
Two things surprised me. One was how effective the Green Bin program was at reducing the garbage our household put out and how quickly we adapted to using it. In fact, now the pilot is over, we are looking forward to starting to use our bin again in January when green bin collection starts. The other surprise was how there were no odours emanating from the container when it was closed. We don’t have a garage, so that was a concern for us. But the bin worked fine in an outside environment, and it didn’t attract any scavengers.
Based on your experience as a Green Bin Champion, what advice do you have for residents in your Ward about using the kitchen container and green bin?
The paper bag liners worked really well and makes for a neater environment. The green bins are quite sturdy and the locking latch is quite simple to use.
Alex Cullen, Councillor for Bay Ward in Ottawa’s west end since 2001, is Chair of the City’s Transit Committee and a member of the City’s Community & Protective Services and Transportation Committees. He also serves on the Boards of Ottawa Community Housing (the City’s social housing agency), Hydro Ottawa Ltd. (the City’s electricity distributor), the Ottawa Campsite Authority, and the Rideau-Mississippi Valley Source Protection Committee.
Alex Cullen was educated in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. He holds a B.A. (Hons.) and an M.A. in Economics from York University. He is 57 years old, the father of 3 children, and is an avid cross-country skier, runner and cyclist. He is the winner of the Rudy Award in 2008 (for completing the Winter Triathlon, the Gatineau Loppet, the Ottawa Marathon, the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour, and the Canadian Iron Distance Triathlon).
Why did you decide to become a Green Bin Champion?
I wanted to try the program myself before recommending it to Bay Ward residents. I knew that I could reduce my garbage significantly but I wanted to see what day-to-day composting was all about. It turned out to be a real eye opener for me. It was easy to do and the waste reduction was significant.
What has surprised you most about using your green bin?
It’s so easy to do! Put the kitchen scraps in the small container and then place those contents into a paper bag for the Green Bin. There are no problems with odour and the bins are safe to put outside for pick-up. Easy-peasey!
Based on your experience as a Green Bin Champion, what advice do you have for residents in your Ward about using the kitchen container and green bin?
Using the green bin was very easy. We got into a routine with it very quickly. One of the things we did that I thought made the whole process easy was to make a point of emptying the kitchen container into the green bin every night after dinner. Our family found that it helped to start each day with an empty kitchen container.
Rob has been a tireless community advocate and volunteer since moving to Ottawa almost 40 years ago from his birthplace in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has represented Cumberland Ward 19 (including Carlsbad Springs, Navan, Sarsfield, Vars and parts of Orleans) since 2003.
Rob had a long broadcasting career with CHUM Radio and 580 CFRA before coming to City council. His career gave him intimate knowledge of Ottawa, its neighbourhoods and its issues.
Well known as a community volunteer, Rob has been a master of ceremonies for over a hundred charitable events, from radio-thons and telethons to fundraising dinners and golf tournaments.
Why did you decide to become a Green Bin Champion?
The only way to know if a program really works is to try it yourself. After living with the program for three months, I was very surprised to see how much waste is diverted on a weekly basis. I believe this program will go a long way towards improving our environment and helping our City save money by extending the life of our landfills.
What has surprised you most about using your green bin?
That I would feel guilty if I didn’t use the bin!
Based on your experience as a Green Bin Champion, what advice do you have for residents in your Ward about using the kitchen container and green bin?
Because plastic isn’t allowed in the green bin, I started collecting old newspapers to line my bin. Most importantly, remember to compost regularly. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you will adapt to the routine!
Maria McRae represents River Ward, the first to receive the new green bin. In addition to sitting on Ottawa City Council, Maria is Chair of the Transportation Committee, and a member of the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee, Transit Committee and the License Committee (a quasi-judicial, administrative tribunal) among others. And, she’s a green bin user.
Why did you decide to become a Green Bin Champion?
I strongly support diverting organic materials from the landfill. I was pleased to be a part of this pilot to understand the program and offer feedback to make it as easy as possible for residents to participate. It was also a pleasure to join the two communities in my ward who have been part of the original pilot program.
What has surprised you most about using your green bin?
It is quick, simple, and easy to incorporate into your daily routine. I was shocked at how much waste is sent to landfills that can be composted. On a weekly basis, my husband Paul and I diverted over half of our regular waste from the landfill.
Based on your experience as a Green Bin Champion, what advice do you have for residents in your Ward about using the kitchen container and green bin?
I recommend emptying the contents of the kitchen container into the green bin on a daily basis. Also, incorporate it into all of your gardening activities. The green bin is great for yard waste!
Peter Hume is a life-long resident of the Alta Vista ward, and has represented the ward at both the local and regional levels of government since 1991. An active member of his community, Councillor Hume resides in Alta Vista with his wife Ann-Marie and their daughter Helen.
Why did you decide to become a Green Bin Champion?
I knew that many residents would have questions about how the program works. I wanted to have first hand experience so that I could understand and relate to the concerns that residents may have.
What has surprised you most about using your green bin?
I’ve been surprised at how much material can be composted. My garbage has been reduced to just one bag a week. I didn’t think the results would be so drastic!
Based on your experience as a Green Bin Champion, what advice do you have for residents in your Ward about using the kitchen container and green bin?
I would advise residents to place their kitchen containers in visible locations so that they are constantly reminded to compost. After a short time, the program becomes second nature.
Shad Qadri has been a community leader, friend, and successful businessperson in Stittsville for over 13 years. He has been instrumental in the preservation of Stittsville’s ‘village’ feel while at the same time encouraging and guiding the many positive changes that the community has experienced.
Throughout his career, Councillor Qadri has held many volunteer positions and participated in numerous fundraising efforts.
Why did you decide to become a Green Bin champion?
I made a commitment to the residents of my community to seek alternative methods to current waste-handling methods. By diverting waste away from landfills, the Green Bin program helps to achieve this objective. The Green Bin program also helps reduce methane and greenhouse gases.
What has surprised you most about your green bin?
I have been surprised by the dramatic decrease in our curbside garbage and with how well the bin worked - especially when lined. The green bin is user friendly and my family adapted to the process very quickly.
Based on your experience as a Green Bin champion, what advice do you have for residents in your ward about using the kitchen container and green bin?
If you want to look at garbage as a resource then get behind this program!