Photo: Jean Sloan, left, was presented with a gift on behalf of the city, honouring her environmental stewardship from Mayor Jeff Mulligan. - Katie Ryan Photo


By Katie Ryan
“Hey, hey it’s been a ball,” said Jean Sloan exuberantly in city hall chambers.
Prior to Monday evening’s city council meeting, Sloan was honoured with a special presentation on behalf of the city for her extensive environmental work in the community. For over two decades Sloan has consistently organized the annual Hazardous Waste Round-up which is held every spring and ensures tonnes of toxic chemicals and waste do not end up in the local landfill.
“I’m kind of the resident environmentalist around here,” Sloan said Tuesday morning.
“The environment is the most important thing in the world as far as I am concerned.”
This year marked the 21st annual round-up for the Lloydminster Household Hazardous Waste Committee, of which Sloan is chair of and proved to be a success as a wide range of hazardous products were dropped off at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds at the beginning of May. Sloan said since the round-up’s inception, the community and surrounding area has been willing to pitch in and gather up their toxic items.
“Believe it or not, it’s been pretty heavy from the very first year and, of course, it’s repeat customers,” she said. “A lot of our old ones have passed on, but new ones are coming along all the time and people are getting so they save their stuff for the year. The paint and the oil are always the things that amaze me to no end. But all of it has just grown immeasurably and I am just pleased as heck with it.”
The green-minded Sloan said the presentation, kind words and gift from city council came as a welcome honour.
“It was a heck of a surprise, I’ll tell you,” said Sloan, who admits she is an activist on all fronts. “I was born 10 miles south of here so I am a native of the community completely.  I am just hoping that we get the environment under control. We have so many chemicals now that are contaminating the world that it just scares me to pieces. We’ve got to do better.”
According to city councillor Rob Saunders, Sloan has been integral to the city’s roundup of waste.
“Jean Sloan is, of course, a long time resident of the city of Lloydminster and actually a former councillor back in the late ‘70s, early ‘80s,” he said.
“Jean’s been instrumental in helping divert thousands of tonnes of household waste and hazardous waste and toxic chemicals from the landfill, chairing the household hazardous waste roundup committee for many years. We felt through the advisory committee on environment, recycling and the city, that we should recognize Jean for her contributions and environmental stewardship in the City of Lloydminster.”
Over 20 years ago, displeased with the amount of toxic waste and as an ardent proponent of recycling, with the help of others Sloan secured funding for the first round-up and the rest is history.
“The council was all in favour of it, so hey all systems were go – I certainly was,” she said adding Bert Faber, from Husky, is one of the original members of the round-up committee. “He is still with us and still going strong, bless his heart I couldn’t possibly operate without him. The Metis housing group, the Restore, the Moose Lodge and the three municipalities all provide the volunteers. It’s a very cohesive effort.”
Sloan said residents can expect the 22nd Hazardous Waste Round Up in the spring of 2011, but is eyeing a more permanent solution to the community’s toxic waste – a permanent depot.
“All I want is a permanent depot here because we so desperately need it. There is so much stuff going into the landfill.”