Green Patrol to tour environmental complex

The patrollers, who were hired by the City to help eradicate ragweed and improve cleanliness in lanes and commercial areas over the summer, are going on a three-hour tour of the complex's recycling facilities and landfill site on Thursday, Aug. 16.

While on duty in Westmount, they have been riding around on bicycles, handing out information leaflets about the local anti-idling regulations, as well as on ecological gardening.

The two university students, who are being supervised by Westmount's environmental coordinator, Marina Peter, were hired with a Canada summer employment program grant through the Conseil régional de l'environnement de Montréal.

One of the two is a Westmount resident, both are bilingual, and they're always happy to speak with anyone interested in what they have to say. They've have had to learn a lot before going out and meeting the people who live, work, and play in Westmount.

Their campaign is officially based on the following three subjects: waste management, climate change and ecological gardening. They have to know about garbage reduction and recycling, what goes into the blue box, and how to sort properly.

They are promoting the use of permanent depots for recycling used clothing, batteries, scrap metal and used electronics. They have information about the safe disposal of household hazardous waste, and promotional material for HHWs — how to dispose of it safely, either at eco-centres or during mobile collections.

The patrollers are ready to talk to children at Westmount's day camps, to give demonstrations of environmentally-friendly methods, and they are ready to organize tours for residents and daycares, like the one they themselves are going on of the St-Michel complex.

The Green Patrol is also ready to talk to merchants about installing exterior cigarette receptacles, or about proper garbage storage. They're able to give information on other issues that concern merchants such as garbage cans at outside terraces.

The students are also promoting the Public Works Department's garden waste pickup, and are helping the city with its on-going campaign to inform gardeners about the seasonal ban on the use of leaf blowers.

City Councillor George Bowser, who as chairman of the Horticulture Advisory Committee was instrumental in creating the Green Patrol, said the patrollers will be mounting a special display on composting before they finish their work at the end of August.

On three afternoons between Aug. 2 and 24, they will be educating Westmount's citizens about composting, tools that are available for that purpose, alternatives to pesticides, and ways to help eradicate ragweed.