‘Tis the season for festive lights, gatherings with friends and family, and creating new memories. Many of us celebrate by exchanging gifts, which can produce a lot of waste. Have you ever given or received a gift that has so much excess packaging you actually need to use tools to get it out of the … More Create memories, not garbage
I live in a condominium. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough space or sunlight to plant a vegetable garden. A few years ago, I was excited to learn a new community garden would be built in my neighbourhood park. I filled in an application for that growing season and crossed by fingers. You know that saying, “third … More A gardener’s story
The Halton Climate Collective (HCC) is hosting a meeting about the challenges, opportunities and ways to help our community deal with a changing climate. In Burlington, this includes more rainfall over a shorter time frame with the potential of flooding and more heat waves. What can you do? Join us as we share ideas to … More Let’s talk about climate change
Did you know that this week is Waste Reduction Week (WRW) in Canada? To celebrate, this month’s blog posts are dedicated to actions you can take to keep your ‘stuff’ out of the landfill. Check out my last post if you missed it about how to recycle child car and booster seats. Now that the … More Recycle your VHS and media tapes
Did you know that it’s almost Waste Reduction Week (WRW) in Canada? To celebrate WRW the third week of October, this month’s “Take Action Burlington” posts are dedicated to what you can do to keep your old things out of the landfill. Child car and booster seats Unless you have little ones in your life … More Don’t throw out your child car and booster seats. Recycle them!
This October, the Every Metre Counts website will launch as part of International Walk to School Month activities. What is Every Metre Counts? Every Metre Counts is an online hub to find information to help you walk or roll to school or the bus stop. While the site is mainly geared to the school community, … More Put on your walking shoes or helmet because Every Metre Counts!
“General awesomeness all round,” said Claudette Sims referring to Halton Master Gardeners. However, this statement also rings true for the Fall Tree and Garden Care event held on September 13, 2018. Eric Torkelson, a City of Burlington arborist, was entertaining and knowledgeable keeping the audience engaged throughout his presentation. Key points included: The right tree … More Fall Tips for Tree and Garden Care
It’s hard to believe that another school year is about to begin. With students gearing up to go back to school next week, it seems like a good time to remind those of you doing school drop-off and pick up by vehicle to please turn your engine off while you wait. If “idling gets you … More A back to school reminder for drivers. Turn your engines off while you wait.
Did you enjoy caring for your vegetable and flower gardens this summer? With fall just around the corner, are you wondering what you need to do now to ensure healthy trees and gardens in the spring? If so, we have the perfect event for you! The Burlington Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) in partnership with the … More Fall Tree and Garden Care Event
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
