In Vancouver, we’re lucky to never be far from the ocean. We have kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and even surfing, all at our fingertips. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the water in British Columbia, but it’s all too easy to not realize the impact that these activities have on the ocean itself.

In the Metro Vancouver area, everything that’s flushed down our kitchen sinks, toilets and drains goes to one of five wastewater treatment plants. Four of these plants treat wastewater to a good level – to secondary treatment level – all but one. The Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant in Richmond uses the most basic and oldest sewage treatment technology, primary treatment, and discharges under-treated wastewater into the Georgia Strait, at the mouth of the ecologically-sensitive Fraser River.

Fifty years ago on April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans mobilized streets, parks and auditoriums protesting against the deterioration of the natural environment. It was the first official Earth Day, and has since become an annual global campaign for the planet.

Recycling rates are the highest they’ve ever been. It’s become the most popular green habit above all others, embedded into the psyche of most working households. Why? Well, unlike the options of flying less or cutting our meat consumption to save the planet, recycling doesn’t require any significant behavioural changes to our 21st century way of living.