There has been a 19-per-cent drop of recyclable materials being shipped out of the Yukon this year, says Raven Recycling.

The amount slumped from 1,350 tonnes in 2004 to 1,100 tonnes this year, Raven said recently.

That 19-per-cent decrease doesn't reflect a reduction in the amount of waste diverted, the society said last week.

'We expect that the decrease in the amount of material shipped out for recycling this year is not a reflection of participation in the program but of logistical challenges,' said Bryna Cable, Raven's executive director.

'Raven completed a number of major construction projects over the summer months, including filling and grading our back storage yard to help alleviate drainage problems, which disrupted our ability to ship products.

'The upgrades that we did this summer will help us to be able to process and ship additional volumes, including that 19 per cent that didn't get shipped this summer, in the future.'

The City of Whitehorse is reporting a nine-per-cent increase for 2005 in the amount of compost picked up at the curb from city residents as well as a seven-per-cent boost in the amount of compost dropped off at the landfill.

This year is the fourth year for the compost pick up program operated by the City.

Johanna Martin, Raven's education co-ordinator, said 'Raven Recycling is very supportive of the City's composting program. Removing organics from the landfill is very important to help protect our ground water, extend the life of the landfill and produce a valuable product that is great for your garden in the process.'

At this time of year, she added, 'a time of high consumption, it is important to consider our environmental impact and do what we can to minimize it.'

Raven Recycling is a non-profit centre that does not receive direct government funding. The centre relies on the participation of citizens in the recycling program to support its recycling efforts.

Meanwhile, when purchasing gifts, Raven added, one should consider the environmental impact in their production and distribution.

'From an environmental perspective, it is best to buy local items,' the society said. 'Buying local creates local jobs, is more likely to use nearby resources, thus creating more local jobs, and can minimize environmental impacts.

'It is also great to give experiential gift like tickets to a play or concert, a gift certificate for a massage or a free evening of babysitting,' Martin said. 'This will provide a nice gift to receive and doesn't create unnecessary waste.'

Wrapping gifts with traditional paper produces a large amount of waste, Raven noted.

'If everyone in North America wrapped just three gifts each year with a reusable wrapping instead of paper, we'd save enough paper to cover nearly half a million hockey rinks. Wrapping with paper also is a waste of resources. One large tree makes about 25 rolls of wrapping paper.'

Consider wrapping presents in gift bags or newspaper instead, the society urged.

'Also, remember to re-use those bows, ribbons and gift cards year after year.'

All ready-to-drink beverage containers except for dairy and dairy substitutes are part of the deposit refund system, and when returned can earn you cash, the society noted.

'Everything from beer bottles to pop cans to orange juice jugs are all worth money when taken to a bottle depot.'

A complete list of which containers are worth money, and how much, is available by visiting the Raven Recycling website at www.ravenrecycling.org.