LiveSmart BC Community Hero
LiveSmart BC Community Hero: Lynnwood Seniors Residence
Reducing, reusing and recycling must keep one young at heart. That's what the Lynnwood Seniors Residence found recently.
The Corbould Street home, which is operated by Chartwell REIT, began a recycling program recently for its approximately 120 residents. It started after the City of Chilliwack gave a presentation to the folks at Lynnwood in July on how they could go green.
"They were quite happy to do it," says Shelley Hugel, Lynnwood's community relations coordinator. "That was kind of the kick-off."
The staff at Lynnwood weren't sure how the program would go over with the residents, whose average age is in the mid-80s. They were surprised though at the keen level of interest.
"The seniors were asking amazing questions," says Hugel. "They really wanted to get on board with this."
Still, she says they didn't know if the seniors' interest would translate beyond asking questions and into throwing out less and recycling more, but Hugel says housecleaning staff at the facility have been impressed by the amount they've been picking up. The facility also operates a battery collection program.
"It's just been really exciting to be part of this, to see the changes," Hugel says.
Lynnwood has set up blue boxes in the laundry rooms. The residents can then bring their recyclables to these rooms and the housecleaning staff can then redirect the items for recycling.
Lynnwood's efforts also help the Pathways program for mentally challenged kids. They come to the residence once a week to sort through items and another time for pick-up. They take any refundable items and old newspapers, and sell these materials to help their fundraising efforts. The Pathways kids and Lynnwood residents also have the chance for a social visit on these days. All in all, Lynnwood residents have shown it's never too late go green.
Says Hugel, "We've been really amazed at what's happened."
