It has been an eventful year for REAL, as you will read in our Annual Report.  It is a challenge to condense all of our activities to six pages, but we hope this summary will give you an idea...

We appreciate your donations of gently used goods year round, but especially this time of year when donations and sales can be a little slower. If you are decluttering or  downsizing, please think of REAL when you are ready...

The January 16th Waste Audit information session organized by the Sustainability Committee provided lots of tips and food for thought to help local residents reduce their household waste.  Thirty three people from Smiths Falls and neighbouring municipalities attended the...

REAL has a new mission statement! At a November 2 Strategy session facilitated by Jeff Kohl, the REAL board  crafted a statement that more accurately and succinctly describes what the organization aims to do. To educate, inspire and provide...

This year’s local foods dinner October 19 was an unqualified success!  The 130 guests enjoyed a fabulous meal by Chef Joanne Edwards, tasty appetizers and local beers and Ontario wines.  Music by the Tritones, silent and live auctions, and...

 An extensive silent auction is a key component of REAL’s annual Local Foods Dinner.  Included in this years auction will be three attractive pieces of garden art.  Three local artists have each decorated a functional recycled, food grade rain...

REAL is hosting an evening featuring two local women who can help you get started on the path to reducing waste and living more sustainably.   Michelle Dunford and her family of three practice a near zero-waste lifestyle near Kemptville,...

A fun time was had by visitors to and organizers of REAL’s booth at Rideau Paddlefest on Sat. June 1 at Lower Reach Park.  REAL was at the festival with a display on altenratives to plastics and a blender...

If you’ve accumulated a stash of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) you will be happy to know some of the local municipal depots are now open.  Residents of  these Lanark County municipalities:  Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Beckwith, Smiths Falls, Perth,...

March 27, 2019.  REAL has ten plots available in  our community Garden this year.   REAL is accepting applications from anyone interested in growing their own local food at our garden on the site of the REAL Deal Store.  A...

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...

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...

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...

Area residents are now able to borrow a radon meter from REAL to detect possible radon gas levels in their homes.  Radon gas is a radioactive, colourless, and odourless gas that is emitted when uranium breaks down in soil,...

The REAL Deal Reuse Store is celebrating a milestone this year – 10 years at its 85 William St. W. location.  REAL, the environmental non-profit that runs the store, is asking donors and customers to help them celebrate on...