Bag-a-Cork

Bag-A-Cork Announcement

Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council believes that the Bag-a-Cork program is a very significant and worthwhile environmental initiative and appreciates the participation and support it has received. Since, February of 2005 over 8000 kgs of cork bottle stoppers have been diverted from Ontario landfill sites. Recently, GGC, Ontario Council made the difficult decision to withdraw from the program as the logistics of managing this program were not sustainable. This withdrawal will take place effective June 30, 2008

Units participating are being encouraged to do so until the end of this Guiding year. At this time, new registrations cannot be accepted, however Units that wish to provide assistance sorting the cork collected from an established affiliate, may certainly do so. Units that participate in this manner may request the Cork crest through the registered Unit participating in the Adopt a Bin challenge.

All of the proceeds from the sale of cork collected by Ontario Girl Guides go to the C.O.R.K (Creating Opportunities for Resourceful Kids) fund. This fund provides grants for environmental and out-door based service projects or activities for Ontario Girl Guides. Only Units currently registered in the program are eligible to submit an application. Those who have applied and been approved have been notified. Applications can still be submitted, but are approved as funds permit.

C.O.R.K. Fund Projects
Here are just some of the fantastic new environmental initiatives funded by the sale of cork:
1st Bala Brownies will re-plant trees that were lost during storms in their community.
1st Carlisle Guides will beautify the gardens around their meeting site by planting perennials and spring bulbs in the church gardens.
1st Listowel Brownies will be planting trees and shrubs along the Maitland River and cleaning up the garbage in the area.
1st Magivetown Guides and Pathfinders will be planting flowers and small seedlings in their municipality.
1st Marmora Sparks, Brownies and Guides will plant a tree and some flowering shrubs at a local non-profit child care centre.
3rd Oak Ridges Brownies and 1st Oak Ridges Pathfinders are initiating a battery drive, where old batteries will be collected and delivered to a hazardous waste disposal site.
10th Oakville Pathfinders are organizing an Earth Day Clean Up. This activity is being designed by a Pathfinder as she works to complete her Canada Cord.
40th Orleans Pathfinders will plant native species in a Petrie Island local wildflower garden to attract more butterflies.
3rd Oshawa Corvette Rangers and 34th Oshawa Pathfinders will be planting a butterfly garden by the Pumphouse Marsh.
13th Peterborough Pathfinders will be replacing signage along the Ennismore Waterfront Park.
506th Sparks will be planting a yellow tulip garden for the Jubilee United Church where cork was collected for the Bag-A-Cork Program.
163rd Toronto Guides will beautify a youth shelter’s backyard by planting shrubs and perennials. The Guides will also create a vegetable and herb garden for the shelter to use.

Thank you to our Partners and Supporters
Ontario Girl Guides wishes to thank Iron Gate Cellarage and Jelinek Cork who helped develop the initial phase of the program and continue to work closely with us. Jelinek Cork is the sole recipient of Ontario Girl Guide's cork bottle stoppers and provides payment to Ontario Girl Guides based on weight. These monies have allowed us to establish the C.O.R.K fund mentioned above.

We are also grateful to our friends at Tippet-Richardson, as they have donated transportation services for sorted cork from selected "hubs" in the province to the cork plant in Oakville. As well, our appreciation goes out to our dedicated affiliates and the public who so enthusiastically supported this program.

Thank you to all members that have worked so hard to make this unique program last three years. Your hard work and determination is remarkable.

NOTE: Should you have SORTED cork for recycling Jelinek will continue to accept this cork from Guiding Members. Shipment is the responsibility of the Member. To find out more details about shipping contact the Bag-a-Cork Coordinator.

General Inquiries please contact
Bag-a-Cork Coordinator
1-877-323-4545 Ext. 2481
E-mail:bagacork.coord@guidesontario.org