Armstrong settles in as co-ordinator of recycling society
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Feb 23/01) - Barbara Armstrong doesn't like to waste time.
Armstrong arrived in town Feb. 13, and that evening she began her duties as recycling co-ordinator for the Inuvik Recycling Society.
Her main assignment is to implement a recycling program in town.
Armstrong said she will first conduct a waste audit to determine roughly how much garbage is being produced in town, and how much can be recycled.
An education campaign will follow.
Armstrong said she has yet to contact the schools but hopes to spend some time educating students about recycling. She will also educate members of the general public.
She emphasized that because the society is not for profit, the aim is to assist recycling efforts already under way, and in general to make recycling more available throughout the community.
"It's really important we don't step on anybody's toes that are already doing it, because the idea of recycling only works if the community's interested," Armstrong said.
She said she's going to emphasize the fourth 'R' of recycling, namely responsibility.
"If each group or each person or each building or each community or each rowhouse or each apartment doesn't claim responsibility for their garbage, then this isn't going to work."
Armstrong said she could be in Mexico right now, teaching geography.
"I picked the North because it's Canada, eh," joked Armstrong. "I'm thrilled to pieces to be here. I'm hoping that my passion for the project is going to sustain me through the bumps."
"I guess I can say I really enjoy project based work. It's an incredible assignment to be a part of."
Armstrong, who has an honours degree in resource management from the University of Western Ontario, is from just outside London, Ont.
Armstrong is also designing a web page for the society. As well, anyone wishing to contact her can e-mail her at recycle@permafrost.com.
