Are you enjoying your summer staycation in your backyard pool? Summer started a little late this year, but July has brought great pool weather. While backyard pools are a lot of fun and create lifelong memories, it’s important to follow some basic environmentally-friendly actions. Before providing tips about pool maintenance, please see the next section … More Enviro tips to maintain your pool this summer
Many Burlington area construction companies now realize that going above and beyond for the environment is a win-win-win: It makes good business sense as it can improve their reputation, promote their business, and help their long-term success in the marketplace. If you’re a building contractor, helping the environment can: reduce your overall operating costs, improve … More Rethink your construction and demolition waste
It can be easy to look at the negative side of our environmental situation at times. You may hear things like, “When will our atmosphere have so many greenhouse gases that our weather patterns are no longer predictable?” This is what is called a negative tipping point. What if instead of looking at the situation … More Sustainable Hamilton Burlington recognizes leaders dedicated to a green economy
Are you planning to renovate your home? While many residents are excited about kitchen or bathroom renovations, what is often forgotten are the potential savings from less visually appealing upgrades such as added insulation and new high-performance windows. There are currently many programs offered through the Green Ontario Fund to help you save energy, make … More This spring take steps to increase your home’s energy efficiency
With the seemingly never-ending winter this year, is it possible that springtime temperatures have finally sprung? We’ll be optimistic and assume “yes!” With the warmer temperatures, many start to think about gardening and growing fresh, local food. If you’ve never grown your own food but want to enjoy the satisfaction of doing so along with … More Learn about growing your own local food
Halton Region’s Blue Box program has some exciting changes as of April 2, 2018. You are now able to place plastic bags and plastic overwrap in your Blue Box, including: Plastic grocery bags Produce bags Newspaper, flyer and magazine bags Outer milk bag. Place the inner bag in the garbage. Plastic overwrap packaging from paper … More More options to recycle at home, work and play
In 2007, residents in Sydney, Australia created a movement by turning their lights off for one hour in support of climate change. This marked the beginning of Earth Hour. The following year, 35 countries participated in this World Wildlife Fund initiative and last year, on Earth Hour’s 10th anniversary, millions of individuals, businesses and organizations … More Connect2Earth this Earth Hour
Spring is around the corner. You can sense the anticipation and see an extra bounce in everyone’s step, especially on a sunny, warm day. Spring also brings fond memories of children happily splashing in puddles. As the popular saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” Unfortunately today our rain often falls in more intense storms … More Get a Home Flood Protection Assessment to Reduce Your Home’s Flood Risk
Burlington is not the only community dealing with climate change. Every community is feeling the impacts and costs of a changing climate — increasing severe weather events, such as flooding and ice storms, heat alerts, and more freeze-thaw cycles which are hard on infrastructure like roads (noticed any potholes lately?!), bridges and culverts. To … More Taking action today for a better tomorrow
Last fall, Nelson became the third high school in Burlington after Aldershot and Hayden to participate in the People and Places in Halton (P2H) program. P2H is a partnership between the individual high school, the City of Burlington and the Halton Region Health Department where a series of guest presenters are invited to engage students … More Nelson students share suggestions for a liveable community
When it comes to global issues such as climate change, do you feel overwhelmed and wonder whether one person can really have an impact? What if each and every one of us does one thing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Collectively, we will make a difference. And, maybe that one small thing you do will … More 18 Ways to Show You Care for Our Planet in 2018 (Part 2)
When it comes to global issues such as climate change, do you feel overwhelmed and wonder whether one person can really have an impact? What if each and every one of us does just one thing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Collectively, we will make a difference. And, maybe that one small thing you do … More 18 Ways to Show You Care for Our Planet in 2018
Thank you to BurlingtonGreen Environmental Association for hosting another successful event, called Connect the Dots, in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation. The event helped to raise awareness of the Foundation’s Blue Dot movement, a campaign to include the right to a healthy environment within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and to inspire … More Connect the Dots
It’s that time of year! The holidays are fast approaching and the Halton Environment Network (HEN) want to make it easier for you to remain low-impact in this busy time! There’s nothing better than bringing family together to share food and gifts, but we do want to be mindful and ensure that our gifts leave … More Stay Graciously Green this Holiday Season
Are you interested in growing your own local food? Do you live in an apartment, condominium or a townhouse and don’t have space to plant a garden? The City of Burlington has a solution that might work for you. From experienced gardeners to beginners, anyone can apply to rent a ground-based or raised accessible plot … More Community garden applications due on Nov. 30
Are you a Halton teacher (grades K to 12) or administrator interested in advancing environmental education in your school? If yes, the Ontario EcoSchools workshop is for you. Interested teachers and administrators are invited to attend a free information session to ask questions and learn from experienced Ontario EcoSchools teachers and administrators. Date: Nov. 18, … More Halton teachers and administrators: Ontario EcoSchools hosts an environmental education workshop Nov. 18
Thank you to the Burlington Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) for hosting the ‘Green Home Renos 101 – Local Stories’ event at Burlington Public Library – Central Branch on Oct. 25, 2017. Three homeowners spoke about their personal green renovation experiences resulting in more comfortable homes with lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Their … More Green Home Renos – Local Stories Revealed
Are you planning to renovate your home? Are you interested in greening your home, reducing your energy costs and improving your home’s beauty, comfort and value? Then the Burlington Sustainable Development Committee has a free event for you! Event Details Learn from three local residents who have completed green home renovations and visit displays by … More Green Home Renos 101 – Local Stories
Green Energy Doors Open (GEDO) is an event to raise awareness about local sustainable energy initiatives and technologies that encourages businesses, organizations, community cooperatives, First Nations groups, municipalities and homeowners to open their doors and welcome the public for free. Who is participating in Burlington? The Feilders Green Home Tour is a GEDO event registered … More Local green home opens its doors
On Aug. 30, the Province of Ontario launched the Green Ontario Fund to help homeowners, renters and businesses save money and fight climate change. What is the Green Ontario Fund? The Green Ontario Fund was created from the proceeds of Ontario’s carbon market. Through this fund, homeowners and businesses can lower energy costs, save money … More Save Money and Fight Climate Change
If you or someone you know has a swimming pool, spa or hot tub, please take a moment to learn about environmental issues to consider before you, or the company you hire, drain the water. Before providing some tips, two terms – storm sewer and sanitary sewer – need to be explained. Is there a … More Empty your pool, spa or hot tub the right way
Thomas Edison invented the first commercially viable incandescent light bulb which remained virtually unchanged for over 130 years. While a great source of light, these light bulbs are not very energy efficient as they produce a lot of heat. In 2014, Canada phased out the manufacture and import of 40, 60, 75 and 100 watt … More A bright idea: properly dispose of your CFLs (not in the garbage)
The City of Burlington and many other municipalities throughout the Greater Toronto Area have noticed significant tree leaf damage caused by cankerworm, a native insect. Cankerworm occurs on a natural cycle of every eight to 12 years in forested areas. Burlington’s last outbreak was in 2008. Cankerworms are often referred to as inchworms or loopers … More Cankerworm Update
It’s a hot, sunny summer day and you just finished washing your laundry. Do you hang your clothes to dry on a clothesline outdoors? Your answer will likely depend on your generation and where you grew up. Maybe you were raised in the time before electronic clothes dryers became a ‘must have’ appliance and drying … More Let it all hang out – Air dry your laundry
The City of Burlington joins 40 communities across the country that have completed the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (now known as ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability), to help municipalities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The … More Reaching a milestone, or five…
