2018 Annual Report
REAL is pleased to release our 2018 Annual Report. The six page report summarizes what REAL folks have been up over our fiscal year, Feb. 1, 2018 to Jan. 31, 2019 . Financial details will be available at our...
Reducing Plastic Waste in Grocery Stores
Consumers are interested in reducing their plastic waste, but do they really have the choice at a grocery store? This CBC News story gives is a great overview of the problem: Canada’s Major Grocery Chains Slow to Tackle the...
Enbridge Incentives for Natural Gas Customers to Continue in 2019
The Enbridge Home Energy Conservation Program will be continuing through 2019 for natural gas consumers. Homes that do a minimum of two upgrades and achieve 10% energy savings can qualify for up to $5000 in incentives. The program involves...
REAL Action Grants Offered
Local community groups who have an idea for a small environmental project can apply for a REAL Action Grant. REAL is offering awards of up to $500 to selected groups within the counties of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville. The...
REAL Welcomes New REAL Deal Manager
REAL is pleased to introduce Dan Cunningham, our new REAL Deal Store Manager. Dan has been busy since November 7 learning everything he can about our operation from Shelley Wills, whose last day was November 24. Dan’s customer...
Used Pens Being Collected at REAL Deal
Yes, pens be recycled! TerraCycle® and Staples Canada have partnered to provide a second life for used writing instruments. You can take your old pens to your nearest Staples store (Carleton Place or Brockville). But the REAL Deal store will now...
No, We Don’t Want Your Paint
Several people have assumed, following an unwanted “drop and run” of what looks to be 55 gal. buckets of paint, that REAL is collecting paint now. Nothing could be further from the truth. We do not accept paint or...
Enbridge Home Energy Program Winding Down but Continuing for Natural Gas Consumers
Effective November 1, 2018, Enbridge’s Home Energy Conservation (HEC) Program is winding down for homeowners who heat their home with oil, propane, wood or electricity. The Whole Home Pilot with the Government of Ontario and Save on Energy is...
Climate Change Videos Worth Sharing
At a screening and discussion of the film “Beyond Crisis” at The Table in Perth October 10, Peter Au mentioned he would post some additional links. What follows is a list of a few choice YouTube videos. See the...
Local Foods Dinner Menu Sure to Please
Here’s a sneak peak at the menu for our Harvest Dinner on Sat. Oct. 20 at the Legion. Note that a few tweaks may be necessary depending on local supply. We will have some gluten free and vegan options...
REAL Deal Sunday Hours Coming to an End
Sunday hours will be ending effective Sunday, October 14th. Sorry, it is just not profitable enough to say open Sunday afternoons. However, we anticipate having Sunday hours starting again next spring. Be sure to come see us Thursday, Friday...
September Update Posted
Our September REAL Update is ready. Read it here . Paper straws, borrowing a radon meter, compost demo shelter progress, our recent yard sale and our local foods dinner October 20 are just a few of the topics. You...
Harvest Dinner Tickets Available Now
Tickets are now on sale for our annual Local Foods Harvest Dinner on Saturday, October 20th. This dinner with a difference celebrates our local food producers and is REAL’s big fundraiser for the year. Get together a table of...
We’re Hiring a REAL Deal Manager
The REAL Deal Store is looking for a Manager to oversee day-to day operations of REAL’s 10-year-old reuse store. If you are passionate about reusing and recycling gently used household and building materials and making an environmental impact in...
REAL Encourages Local Businesses to Decline Plastic Straws
A group of enthusiastic volunteers took to the streets of Smiths Falls on Wed. August 8th to suggest to business they consider paper over plastic straws. The volunteers split into teams and blitzed all 49 food establishments in town,...