Environmental Leadership: James Barth

SPONSORED BY 40 KNOTS VINEYARD & ESTATE WINERY

James Barth moved to the Comox Valley in 2011, and ever since, has made it his mission to clean up the messes other people leave behind.
As a photography buff, James is never far away from his camera. In fact, it was his passion for photography that first made him aware of the growing garbage problem in the Comox Valley.
“I like to take pictures, but I am up in the back woods and I am noticing that I have to adjust my framing of my pictures, because there is trash in the way.
“So I said to myself, instead of complaining about it, I am going to do something about it. So when I was going to these places, if I saw some trash there, I would pick it up and haul it away. Well, soon enough I had truckload after truckload of trash.”
James became such a regular customer at the landfill, that it was suggested he talk to the Comox Valley Regional District about negotiating a deal for his tipping fees, considering he was essentially doing the CVRD’s job, by cleaning up the mess on crown land. The CVRD complied, and James is one of the very few residents whose tipping fees are waived.
And he’s been busy.
In the past two years, James has singlehandedly brought 291 loads of illegally dumped trash to the landfill, with a total weight of 21,170 kilograms.
James has also created a Facebook page: “Stop Comox Valley Illegal Dumping.” The public group now has 98 members. The page serves a few purposes.
Yes, James posts pictures of any illegal dumping grounds he comes upon, as do others who have spotted trash piles. He also posts positive stories about what other communities are doing to combat similar issues.
“That page has been a tremendous help.
James “gets it.” He knows you can be of two mindsets; either consider the situation too big for one person to make a difference, or consider that every person makes a difference.
“That’s the message I’d like to get across. Whether it’s a big truckload, or as simple as picking up a discarded coffee cup along your walking trail. By doing that, you’re putting the seed people’s minds that ‘hey  we can do something about this.’
“He says he doesn’t ever think he’ll stop.
“I see myself as a senior, driving a scooter, with a little pick-me-up stick with me, cleaning the streets,” he said, laughing.
James Barth makes a difference. He is, indeed, an environmental hero in the Comox Valley.