Drive a few minutes out of Prince Rupert to the recycling depot on a Tuesday or Friday, and you害羞草研究所檙e likely to find nine-year-old Alexander Fast with a load of recyclables. For the past five weeks, the fourth grader has made the trip out to Kaien Road at least twice a week 害羞草研究所� sometimes more.
Many would think there害羞草研究所檚 no way one kid has that much to recycle 害羞草研究所� and he doesn害羞草研究所檛. Although he害羞草研究所檚 not old enough to drive (his mom, Charlene, helps with that part), Fast runs his own recycling program in Rupert.
In the North Coast city, there is no curbside recycling pick-up, much to the chagrin of residents. For some, that means collecting enough recyclables to make the trip out, hopefully, while the depot is open. For others, it means forgoing recycling altogether.
When Fast害羞草研究所檚 mom was brainstorming ways to keep her youngest son busy, Alexander suggested they start a pick-up and drop-off service by donation. The mother-and-son duo work together, although Alexander runs the show. Charlene communicates with people interested in pick-ups on Facebook, and Alexander decides the schedule.
害羞草研究所淚 just go around getting recycling,害羞草研究所� Alexander said quietly. What inspired him? He wants to 害羞草研究所渒eep the Earth clean so it won害羞草研究所檛 look bad. It looks better when it害羞草研究所檚 clean.害羞草研究所�
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Alexander has always been on the move. Born in Masset, Fast moved to Prince Rupert when he was still in diapers. At two years old, he helped pack his own toys for the ferry ride to his new home.
When asked what his favourite part about Prince Rupert is, he says, simply, 害羞草研究所渢he waterfront.害羞草研究所� It害羞草研究所檚 where he goes to skip rocks 害羞草研究所� when he has the time. His love of nature, Alexander said, is part of why he likes recycling.
Now only five weeks in, Alexander has 10 regulars on his recycling route. With the donations people give him, the nine-year-old is saving up. For his 10th birthday next month, he害羞草研究所檚 getting his very own puppy. The money will help him buy toys and take care of his new furry friend.
Besides his canine companion, Alexander is keeping his earnings in his savings account. He already has an education account open, another for savings and one for spending. He害羞草研究所檚 learning how to manage his own finances. One day, he害羞草研究所檇 like to have his own business, like his father, although Alexander isn害羞草研究所檛 sure yet what it害羞草研究所檒l be.
His dad, Wayne Fast, owns Peace of Mind Painting in Prince Rupert. Alexander has always lent a helping hand, usually holding a paintbrush. Charlene thinks Alexander gets his entrepreneurial spirit from his dad.
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When he害羞草研究所檚 not doing his recycling route, at school or doing homework, Fast is playing soccer, running track and field and high jump. He害羞草研究所檚 been in karate for a year, and has earned three stripes. Next, he害羞草研究所檒l earn his yellow belt, but until then, Fast害羞草研究所檚 favourite part is learning how to do front flips on the mat. In other words, he害羞草研究所檚 a busy kid.
When Alexander was six years old, he was known to be out of bed by 6 a.m., trying to get his mom up for a run before school. Lately, he害羞草研究所檚 started sleeping in until 7 a.m.
The youngest of four kids 害羞草研究所� there害羞草研究所檚 Chasedy, 20, Tyson is 16 and Trenton is 11 害羞草研究所� Alexander is close with his siblings. He especially looks up to Tyson, and the feeling is mutual.
害羞草研究所淗is brother is pretty proud of him. He害羞草研究所檒l say, 害羞草研究所業害羞草研究所檓 so darn proud of that kid害羞草研究所�,害羞草研究所� their mom said.
Hearing this, Alexander害羞草研究所檚 signature smile stretches across his face. A boy of few words, his smile speaks for him.
The main part of recycling, aside from doing his part to save the planet, 害羞草研究所渋s helping other people who can害羞草研究所檛 get out to the recycling depot because they don害羞草研究所檛 have a vehicle, or they害羞草研究所檙e elders, or some people just don害羞草研究所檛 have the time,害羞草研究所� his mom said.
The very first time Alexander went to pick up someone害羞草研究所檚 recycling, the woman warned him ahead of time that she had a lot to recycle 害羞草研究所� the one pick-up filled the whole van. But she was thankful that someone could help.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 always like, 害羞草研究所業害羞草研究所檒l get it, Mom.害羞草研究所� So I basically just have to get out and hold open the door for him, and drive,害羞草研究所� Charlene said with a laugh.
害羞草研究所淚 think he looks forward to it now, on Tuesdays and Fridays, because he害羞草研究所檚 always got a smile on his face. 害羞草研究所楧on害羞草研究所檛 forget, it害羞草研究所檚 recycling day!害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟
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keili.bartlett@thenorthernview.com
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