CJMP Podcast

All about the strain we put on our drain...and the planet, when we flush, pour, rinse or otherwise release items down our drains. We look into garburators - the pros and cons, waste veggie oil conversion into fuel, and talk biosolids (aka sewage sludge) with a UBC post-grad (Robin Harder). How do we manage this resource when it's contaminated with heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and microplastics?

In this episode, we go further into the topic of Microplastics and look at a recent study that was published out of the University of Victoria. The lead researcher on the project, Garth Covernton, brought forth an estimate of just how much microplastic we are consuming on an annual basis. Tune in to find out more!

Tune in and celebrate our 100th episode with us!  We have a slew of special guests in the studio with us joining in on the party.  There's some reminiscing, some laughs, a glimpse into a new interactive art project that's going to be at the Library this September as well as a teaser into a longer conversation we'll have next month on new science coming out about microplastics.  We'll play the interview that we didn't have time for next month!

In this month’s show we’re exploring our relationship with the ocean.  We all know we’re doing a solid job of polluting it but there are also stellar people out there loving it up.  

We’ll take a peek into the growing cruiseline industry, investigating its attempts at sustainable management of these floating hotels. 

We’ll also get an update of how our community is cleaning up its harbours and beaches.  So far this year there have been four shoreline clean ups that have brought groups of caring volunteers together.  We'll hear from clean up coordinators about the ins and outs of these amazing events.

This month we delve into the circular economy.  The circular economy has emerged as a strategy for businesses and organizations to address the changing world through building stronger, more resilient and more competitive businesses and economies that take waste into account.  

In the conventional economy, materials move through a linear process of extraction, production, consumption and eventual disposal -> Take, make, waste.  In contrast, circular economies eliminate waste through the redesign, reuse and recycling of products and materials in interconnected systems, biological cycles and markets -> make, use, return.  Tune in and join the conversation!

Tune into our Earth Month focused show.  Hear about all the amazing events scheduled for this April and how you can get involved.  We have this year's Earth Month coordinators live in the studio to provide all the details.

We also venture into the effects being felt by the Chinese National Sword initiative that took full effect last year but have had a delayed impact which, we are now starting to really feel.  And the world of textile waste also rears its head in our show this month.

Make an impact this Earth Month and take up a challenge for the month to help the earth out in any way you can!  The Plastic Free Challenge is always available, receive weekly tips through letstalktrash.ca!

This show takes us into the world of Maker Spaces.  A relatively new take on the old phenomenon of sharing resources within a community.  In this case, the spaces usually offer training and access to anything from modern tech like 3D printers, to old school sewing machines that won’t quit.  All this for a reasonable monthly membership.  We’ll take a close look into one Maker Space in the North East of the United States to learn what it takes to put one together, how members are sharing resources, and how it can be part of the answer to our overconsumption on the planet.

One member of the Let’s Talk Trash team, Ingalisa, and her partner Ben joined a Maker Space for the winter and will share what creative projects they got up to.  We’ll also hear an update about Powell River’s collaborative groups and find out how to get involved.

The February edition of the Let's Talk Trash show delves into the concept of Maker Spaces - a relatively new take on the old phenomenon of sharing resources within a community.  In this case, the spaces usually offer training and access to anything from modern tech like 3D printers, to old school sewing machines that won’t quit. All this for a reasonable monthly membership. We’ll take a close look into one Maker Space in the North East of the United States to learn what it takes to put one together, how members are sharing resources, and how it can be part of the answer to our overconsumption on the planet.

And to top it off, Bad Karen from Everyday is Like Sunday joins us as a special guest host for this episode!

In this show we take a microscopic look at plastic! Plastic by its very nature, breaks down, but it doesn't disappear.  What happens to all the microplastics that are now sharing the planet with us? Tune in to hear about how plastic is ending up in our food, and learn how compostable plastics are not the answer to the challenges of single-use plastics.

We hear from two Canadian researchers (Dr. Chelsea Rochman, and Marika Smith) who share their cutting edge look at microplastics in plants, the soil, animals, and even humans.

End of 2018 show, highlighting some of the big news stories in waste reduction this last turn of the wheel.  We'll also talk about food waste, a hot topic during the holiday season. Finishing off with touch on some of the new policies coming into action globally and federally relating to plastic waste reduction.  A good way to end the year indeed!

In our show this month we take a look at how the film industry in Vancouver is keeping it green.  A local Powell Riverite is a big force behind the scenes working on this initiative in Vancouver.  Tune and listen to our interview with Kelsey.  We also speak to UBC's Bike Hub coordinator to learn about the interesting bike co-op initiatives happening on campus. 

Let's Talk Trash ventures down Vancouver Island this month to share some stories about two great organizations doing some amazing waste diversion and redistribution.  We also talk to a young local who has a passion for vacuums and bringing them back to life.  We also feature some Halloween season waste reduction tips and tricks.

Tune into the September edition of the Let's Talk Trash radio show and hear a live rendition from the renowned spoken word poet Joesph McLean, talkin' trash like no other.  Also featured in our show this month we switch gears and look at treating waste reduction or managment programs more systematically across the US, here in BC and locally in Powell River.

And note - changes to how we sort waste at Augusta will start October 1st.  Tune in for further details.  

A show where we deconstruct building materials to take a closer look at what we build with and how it affects the planet. Hear from an experienced Natural Building designer and educator, Elke Cole, who shares about why local resources are best.  We also connect with Dawn Smith, a natural builder who unpacks why natural buildings aren't the answer for every site. Finally, we consider the role of concrete in building, and explore the plus-es and minus-es of alternatives, like hempcrete, papercrete and aircrete.

In the first half of our show we will go on a packaging adventure tour. We’ll travel from the early days of leaves, pots glass and wood to today's abundance of plastic and laminate packaging to future packaging where innovators look back to nature to provide the packaging solution. For the second part of our show we will talk to local Director of Child and Family Services at the Cranberry Child Development and Family Resource Centre, Ocean Van Samang about how she and her colleagues are turning their facility and preschool Zero Waste.