Our Lady of Good Counsel
Green Church Committee
April 21, 2022
Minutes

Present – Fr. Paul Conway, Chris Shoust, Suzanne Shoust, Rose-Marie Valade, Mary Trevisan,
John Plecash, Randy Johnson, Karen Gionette, Wanda Taillefer, Betty Boissineau
Regrets – Salvatore Marchese, Katie Charette
Prayer – Led by Randy Johnson
Approval of the Agenda – Approved
Approval of the Minutes of the March 10, 2022 Meeting – Approved

Business Arising:
a) Collecting metal lids – Chris talked to an individual at Triple M and they are happy to
take metal lids that we collect. We need to create an account and they will issue a
cheque with piece of ID. We need to organize how we would like to begin announcing to
the church about collecting and make arrangements for containers. We could setup a bin
or pail near the entrance that would be emptied into a larger bin behind the church
regularly and we would arrange for someone to bring them to Triple M once we have a
good amount collected. Note to ask that items collected be cleaned. Items to advertise to
parishioners for collection include metal lids, bottle caps, and metal wine lids and caps.
Possible suggestion for a monthly lid drive. Add this to tips of the month or display
somewhere with photos showing types of metal we would ask to collect. Something
visual for people to see.
b) Update on Styrofoam project – As a group we have agreed to pass off the information
that has been gathered to the Environmental Sustainability Committee. We need to
create a report document informing them of the research and effort done thus far. This is
too large of a project for our committee scope.
c) Hazardous Waste Depot update – Chris reached out to some Northern Ontario
municipalities. North Bay is open year round. Sudbury he has not yet spoken with, they
are open only a certain number of days per year. Thunder Bay is open weekly. Timmins
has a hazardous waste event yearly, providing an opportunity for residents to properly
dispose of their household hazardous and special waste. Main take away is that North
Bay, which is a smaller community than Sault Ste. Marie, is open to their residents more
days than we are.
d) Communication with churches in the Sault – Rose-Marie sent out letters to 10
churches, and only heard back from Holy Trinity.
e) Municipal methane wells information – Rose-Marie will edit the pamphlet and next
steps will be to provide it as a handout to parishioners to take. We want to also send a
copy to the Environmental Sustainability Committee and to Clean North and share a PDF
on the church website for download.
f) Clean North – We want to reach out to them again. Suggestion to have someone from
the committee join Clean North as a member or to attend a meeting. Rose-Marie will look
into getting their contact information.
g) GFL Environmental information for recycling – Rose-Marie is going to try and speak
with John Martella. We’d like more clarity and information as a group on what we can
recycle. Ask him for more information “Recycle 101” so that we can then take that
information and pass it along to our parishioners.

New Business:
a) Rose-Marie spoke with Margo Dale (Starfish Project). She is trying to put together a
steering committee regarding a sustainable environment, pulling the community together,
focus on what is right, what is just. She’s looking for people to work with her. As a group
we would like Margo to provide a written summary so that we can review, see if anyone is
interested and follow up.
b) Making Little Planters – Chris started a test project using Tetra Pak cartons as
planter boxes. (Tetra Pak cartons are only 75% paper; the rest of the package
contains aluminum and polyethylene). Finding a way to reuse these cartons as they
cannot be recycled. Using coffee grounds, loose leaf tea and tea bags, lining the bottom
of the carton the bags act as a sponge and the soil won’t go mouldy. These planter
containers can be used to grow carrots and cucumber anytime of the year, they only
need sunlight. We will make these planters and provide them to parishioners. Chris to
make arrangements for a time and place to make them as a group and will report back
next meeting. Possibility of making a demo/video to post for others to see and make
themselves.
c) Highway Spring Cleanup – We need to do a cleanup three (3) times a year. Put an
announcement in the bulletin for our next cleanup date of May 28th

. Meet at the church

first to go over the instructions, watch the video and sign a waiver. Call out to
parishioners to sign up with the office to volunteer. Chris and John will take charge of this
event.
d) Local Businesses that collect non-recyclable items – Betty brought to our attention
another local business, Metro, which recycles plastic bread and vegetable bags. There is
a bin at the store entrance.
e) Update website – Chris would like to update and post the committee initiatives list on the
website and would like to review the list, what we’ve done, and not done.