Lillian Croal

Lillian Croal, born in York, England, volunteered as a plotter for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, the female auxiliary of the Royal Air Force, during the Second World War. Croal immigrated to Canada as a war bride in 1946, settling in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Growing up during the Depression of the 1930s, Croal’s motto became “waste not, want not”, leading to her involvement in recycling. Croal, along with her husband Ken, were among the early environmental pioneers in the community, speaking to municipal committees and community groups about the merits of the three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle.

Long before environmental issues were community issues, Croal tenaciously lobbied City and Regional government to start recycling programs. In 1974, Croal’s submission to Kitchener City Council was referred to the City’s Engineering Committee to investigate and begin implementing her ideas. In the early 1980s she was an integral part of a 10 person recycling team that piloted the blue box program in the city.

In 1983 in recognition of her efforts, Croal was selected to receive the first blue box when 34,000 boxes were distributed to homes across Kitchener. Subsequently Croal became the poster girl for recycling in Waterloo Region and Mississauga by appearing in media reports and promotional literature. Her early actions influenced Waterloo Region’s decision to offer a blue box recycling program across the entire region.

Croal volunteered for many community organizations including: Cambridge Hospital Auxiliary, Consumers’ Association, Regional Safety Council, Kitchener Beautification Committee, Local Architectural Advisory Committee, Rockway Seniors Advisory Committee and many more. In 1987, she was recognized with the Zonta Volunteer Award.

In 2003 Croal’s pioneering efforts in recycling were recognized at an official ceremony at Region of Waterloo Council where she generously donated the first blue box back to the Region.

Photo courtesy of the Kitchener-Waterloo Record Photographic Negative Collection, University of Waterloo Library.