Recycling glass bottles and jars will help the environment

Jeers: to missing the boat, quite literally.

Leyon Williams of Churchill Falls missed being at the Grenfell Campus convocation ceremony in Corner Brook and his wife missed two medical appointments recently, even though he had reservations made on the Labrador ferry to ensure they got there on time. Instead, people who failed to book a spot ahead of time were accommodated before his family as part of what he’s calling an “antiquated practice.” Workers told him he was supposed to be there by 8 a.m. for the 1:30 p.m. crossing, but nowhere on the ferry’s website indicates that. “All the rules have changed and everybody there was complaining,” he said. A reservation system isn’t a new thing, so it’s ridiculous that a family missed out when the boat sailed away without them on it.

Cheers: to innovation.

New found-SAND is a new pilot project that aims to divert glass bottles from landfills. Not being able to recycle glass is frustrating, since you know it’ll sit in a landfill forever before it breaks down. This new co-op aims to change that and break it down to its elemental form: sand. Members will be able to drop off a five-gallon bucket of glass containers and get back a bucket of sand to use instead. The sand is smooth and safe for use – no hard edges, so it can even be used to fill a sandbox for a child – and they’ll also have the satisfaction of helping the environment. Win-win for all.

Jeers: to needless destruction of property.

Downtown business owners say they’ve been forced to pay thousands of dollars to get rid of the graffiti on their property. We’re huge supporters of the arts, but when a building is tagged with profanity, it’s hard to argue that’s public artwork, especially when the business owner – who never wanted it in the first place – is tagged again with the bill to get rid of it.

Cheers: to seeing some of Newfoundland’s commercial fishers, stevedores, crane operators, welders and tugboat operators, who work and live on the North Atlantic, get some of the credit they deserve for their efforts on the silver screen.

The Discovery Channel show “East Harbour Heroes” premiered on Monday, May 29, and follows the stories of the St. John’s-based workers in a “Deadliest Catch”-style show. At the helm is Wendell Collier, who hails from the province and is a member of Miawpukek First Nation. It’s great to see the province showcased in such a positive light.