We are very pleased to announce the addition of a new board member, Celeste Lacroix.  Celeste was voted onto the REAL Board at our recent AGM. Celeste retired from a career in IT in Victoria BC and moved to...

Take a look at REAL’s July 2026 Update!  We’ve been busy with our annual Rain Barrel and Native Plant sale, our Annual General Meeting, and an Evergreen Commemoration Event that included the presentation of some REAL Environmental Awards.  Volunteers did...

Two long-time REAL members were recognized at our June 2026 Annual General Meeting for their exemplary volunteer contributions.  Honorary REAL memberships acknowledge a member’s long-term commitment to REAL. This brings to 12 the number of people REAL considers influential...

The base for three new pocket forests has been created.  The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario has generously allowed REAL to use a site on at their 90 William Street location, which is  across the road from the REAL...

Thanks to a Summer Jobs Canada grant, REAL will be able to hire  one young person at the REAL Deal Store this summer. The “Yard Associate” will work primarily in the dome and yard but will need to be...

REAL’s April 2026 Update  has been posted.   This issue we look at REAL volunteers, some REAL Deal numbers, and what the store has in the way of garden materials.  Get details on Pitch In Smiths Falls, the Shoreline Cleanup...

Need some good reasons for renewing your membership in the Rideau Environmental Action League?  REAL’s 2025 Year in Review summarizes the organization’s activities up to the end of January 2026.  It has a been a busy and productive year. ...

REAL is pleased that the Town of Smiths Falls has agreed to a new five-year lease for the use of their building at 85 William Street W., Smiths Falls. REAL has operated the REAL Deal Reuse Store from the...

REAL’s February 2026 is here!  Included are some tips on Ontario’s news recycling program, the books accepted at the REAL Deal, reducing your toxic burden, the REAL Tool Library and some REAL Deal News .  Members will be hearing...

You can now recycle more materials than ever before across Ontario, no matter where you live.  Some of the new materials included are: Black plastic containers Hot and cold beverage cups Frozen juice containers Ice cream tubs Flexible plastics...

Check out REAL’s December newsletter.  Stories include Sustainable Gift Giving ideas and the results of our November online auction.  We had visit from both our MP Scott Reid and our MPP John Jordan in October.  Time is running out...

Thanks everyone for your terrific support of REAL’s sixth online auction.  In an exciting finish, the 200 items attracted $4421 which was 138% of our goal.  Last years bid total was $3557.  In addition to the bids, several generous...

Please note that the REAL Deal Store will be closed over the Christmas holidays to give staff and volunteers a break.  Our last shopping day for the year will be Saturday, December 20.  We will be back open for...

Preparations are well underway for REAL’s online auction, our main fundraiser for the year. Auction Items. We have some great gently used items we’ve been setting aside all year from REAL Deal donations. But we would also like to...

The Canada Greener Homes Loan offered homeowners interest-free, repayable loans of up to $40,000 for energy-efficient home upgrades. But the program’s funding will soon be fully allocated, and the application intake will be closing. The last day to submit...