Recycling for research
Posted By Hayley Brigg
Posted 2 months ago
Why throw it away when you can use it to help fund research for kidney disease?
The Kidney Foundation of Manitoba is planning a pick-up for broken and unwanted home appliances as part of their Home Appliance Retirement Program (HARP), that aims to turn the scrap metal from old refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers into cash to help fund research for Kidney Disease.
HARP has scheduled two pick-up dates on Nov. 28 and Dec. 25 for the City of Selkirk, and the communities of Birds Hill and Lockport.
"We take the old appliances and dispose of them properly, in an environmentally-friendly manner," said Val Dunphy, executive director for the Kidney Foundation of Manitoba. "We're able to sell the scrap metal from the donated appliances, and use that money to help fight kidney disease."
Dunphy explains that the rural pick-up program is a spin-off of a similar venture that the Foundation launched in Winnipeg last year. She says the program has been so successful, that they are looking to expand it into communities all over Manitoba.
"Since we started last October, we've retired almost 5,000 appliances," said Dunphy. "We're using these pickups in Selkirk, Lockport, and Birds Hill as a pilot project to see if it will work in other communities. We've gotten lots of requests to bring it to other rural areas."
Homeowners that want to get rid of their aging appliances but don't want to lug them to the landfill (where they'll have to pay a disposal fee), can contact HARP at 1-877-562-3113 to schedule a pick-up at their home on either Saturday.
"People are welcome to call ahead and schedule an appointment for us to pick up their appliances," said Dunphy. "If they have any other metal like old eavestroughs and barbecues that they want to get rid of, we'll gladly take those at that time too."
Dunphy explains that the program encourages a more environmentally-friendly method of disposal for old appliances and helps create awareness about the disease.
"Kidney disease can affect anyone at anytime. We want people to know how important it is to take measures to prevent it, and how to be aware of the symptoms," said Dunphy. "There is no cure for kidney disease."
In addition to funding research, the money will also go to financially assist programs all over Manitoba, such as dialysis treatment, preventative programs, improving patient care, and encouraging the decision to become a kidney donor.
