Composting kitchen, yard and garden waste can reduce the weight of garbage by 30% or more. Compost is a soil conditioner and a source of fertilizing nutrients. It conditions and improves the overall structure of soils by adding organic matter and fertilizing nutrients that are released slowly over time. This has the obvious benefit of assisting plant growth and can reduce, if not eliminate, the need for chemical fertilizers in home gardens.

Vermicomposting is a method of composting food waste using worms. It can be done indoors year-round, or outdoors in the summer and indoors in the winter. If you live in an apartment, or you're tired of making the trips to the backyard in the snow, this is a method to consider.

TREA offers a "How to Compost" flyer as well as a Level 1 and a Level 2 Composting Program for individuals who want to learn more than just the basics about composting. If you are interested in more extensive training and volunteering a few hours to help TREA promote composting in the community contact TREA's Rot-Line (519) 672-5991 to register for the Level 2 more comprehensive composting program or send an email to trea@wwdc.com.

TREA answers technical questions and provides advice to home owners on the Rot-Line.

Educational materials and informational displays are available for presentations. They offer a "Home Study Composter" self-study program as well as answering technical questions and offering advice.

Schedule a visit to TREA'S composting demonstration site.

How to Compost At Home
Vermicomposting

Many of us view big business and industry as the main perpetrators in the chemical contamination of our planet. It is often difficult for us to see ourselves as playing an integral role in this widespread poisoning. Unfortunately, in our daily use of vehicles, household cleaners, solvents and pesticides we are doing our part to ensure the destruction of our world. Of course, once this simple truth is recognized there are means at our disposal to help rectify the situation at least in our own backyards.

Waste reduction is one of the main keys in helping stem the tide of pollution. In tackling waste reduction we must implement the three "R"'s -- reduce, reuse, and recycle. But did you know there's a fourth R we can add to that list? Let's not forget "Refuse" when attempting to reduce our production of waste.

Refuse is easy! Simply refuse to buy overly packaged goods and complain to the manufacturer. Refuse, where possible, to purchase shipped goods. That means buying locally produced items to save the energy and material used in the shipping of those items. Refuse to use disposable products. Refuse to buy what you don't need. This is particularly important for food as 30% of it typically ends up in the garbage. Refuse to accept flyers and junk mail reducing the strain on our forests.

If you need further information on waste reduction give us a call TREA at 645-2845, or email us at trea@wwdc.com. As well, check out TREA's Green Directory for many practical and easy to implement tips on saving our environment.

TREA's Transportation Options Planning or TREATOP is an ongoing effort to educate and inform Londoners on transportation issues by promoting alternatives to the single passenger vehicle. When one considers that the smoggiest regions in Canada are located in south western Ontario and that vehicle emissions play an integral role in the production of greenhouse gases, reducing our reliance on the car becomes all the more vital.

TREATOP members are actively involved with London's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). TAC holds regular meetings at City Hall to discuss infrastructure, transportation, deemed management strategies and policy issues.
For more information on meeting times, call City Hall at (519) 661-5200.

TREA is the host of London's annual Bicycle Festival and Commuter Challenge. The Bicycle Festival is a week-long celebration of cycling, hiking and commuting. The Commuter Challenge is a friendly competition among cities to promote active transportation the first week of June each year.

In addition, TREATOP is engaged in the promotion of walking, public transit, carpooling and telecommuting. If you need further information on TREATOP give us a call here at TREA at (519) 645-2845, or contact us by email at trea@wwdc.com. As well, you can visit City Hall's website for bicycle paths and walking path information at www.city.london.on.ca.

"TREATalk" is the association's bi-annually newspaper. It contains articles and information relevant to TREA members or anyone interested in the health of both the local and global environment. Articles are submitted by members, guest speakers, members of the community or reprinted with permission from other media.

As well as the articles, you will also find advertisments from our sponsors. Please support these sponsors and their "Green" retailing initiatives.

The print version of TREATalk is distributed free of charge to TREA members and is also made available to local schools, libraries, City Hall, other venues and Tourism London. Look for TREATalk and TREA's information display at Grosvenor Lodge or at local community events. Selected articles can also be found at TREATalk on our "Publications" link.

We are a group dedicated to improving London's air quality by educating the public about the toxicity of woodsmoke, and working to regulate and reduce the amount of woodsmoke in London neighbourhoods.

Currently we are working on the issue of regulating the use of wood-burning appliances (woodstoves and fireplaces).

We would like to see London implement the Environment Canada Model Municipal Bylaw to Regulate Wood-Burning Appliances, and are working toward that goal. Contact: alexa@sent.com

In Ontario, poor air is blamed on 2000 premature deaths every single year. In fact, 61% of Londoners believe that poor air quality is negatively affecting their lives - a concern that appears to be justified. From our own vehicle emissions, suitable climate, and our proximity to the emissions from coal-fired electrical generating stations in both Canada and the United States, London is situated in Canada's smoggiest region.

Clean Air London (CAL) is a TREA working group that is committed to develop and distribute information on air quality problems and the solutions to those problems. As well, CAL was active in the recent passing of a London by-law banning the idling of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes in a 60 minute period. CAL continues to lobby business and government on the adverse health effects air pollution creates.

If you wish to view the literature accumulated by Clean Air London, voice a concern or seek a solution to an air problem then give us a call here at TREA at (519) 645-2845, or contact us by email at trea@wwdc.com. To view the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's Air Quality Index click on the link or visit our home page.

Healthy Living, it's what we all want and search for but in today's high tech world it isn't that easy to come by. For instance, much debate has recently centred on genetically modified (GM) foods. These are foods that have been genetically modified by the manipulation of a plant's DNA to reproduce a specific desired trait, such as an ability to survive a shortage of water. But are these GM foods good for us or bad for us?

Some people claim that GM plants will alter the delicate balance produced in nature by disorienting pollinating insects and creating new diseases. Others claim that GM plants will be able to grow in harsh climates solving world hunger concerns, and that GM plants will result in less environmental contamination as fewer pesticides are required to care for them.

At TREA we are currently investigating the issue in hopes of educating both the public and ourselves. If you are trying to avoid GM foods then we suggest you purchase your produce grown by organic farmers. Organic farmers use natural fertilization and pest controls in the production of their crops and grow plants that are more vigorous and resistant to pests.

If this issue concerns you we would welcome a call to the TREA office at (519) 645-2845 or contact us by email at trea@wwdc.com where we would be happy to answer your questions. We have a growing library of information on the subject and would like to share it with you, and hopefully garner your opinion in the process.

Working closely with the Board, the Fundraising / Publicity / Membership Group's task is to ensure that TREA remains viable and vital. Its function is to grow and enhance awareness of the association's activities to the membership and the general public.

If you would like to become a member or contribute to the organization, you can find out more by calling the TREA office at (519) 645-2845 or contact us by email at trea@wwdc.com.
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For an overview of the organizations structure and history, follow the About TREA link. For more detailed information on how to contact us, click on Membership & Fundraising.