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.
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
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
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 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
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
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)
Thank you to the Awareness Subcommittee members of the Burlington Sustainable Development Advisory Committee for helping to plan a great Let’s Live Green event. Thank you also to the exhibitors and presenters who provided practical information about how we can all do our part to reduce our impact on the environment. Here are a few … More Let’s Live Green!
Take action and come to Tansley Woods Community Centre on Saturday, May 27 between 1 and 5 p.m. as we have a great event planned for you! With 30 exhibitors and eight presentations, there will be something for every member of the family. There will be lots of practical ideas to help you reduce your … More Let’s Live Green Burlington!
Students at one of Burlington’s certified Gold Ontario EcoSchools are taking the “Make every day Earth Day” mantra to heart. M.M. Robinson’s EcoClub members recognized an issue at their school and through their effort made a difference across the Halton District School Board. Thank you to Caitlin Boutros and Heather Howell, teachers at M.M. Robinson … More M.M. Robinson Students – Champions of the Environment
Congratulations to BurlingtonGreen Environmental Association on their 10th anniversary. BurlingtonGreen is a local, citizen-led, nonpartisan, not-for-profit environmental agency with a continued focus on awareness, action and advocacy. Their grassroots work began in 2007 around a kitchen table where local citizens gathered with an aim to make a difference to help the planet locally. Since then … More BurlingtonGreen celebrates 10 years!
March 22 is World Water Day; a day to raise awareness about the importance of fresh water and its proper care. Living close to the Great Lakes might lead us to believe that our fresh water is an endless resource. Unfortunately, this seems to lead to waste. Think back to the summer months when you … More Celebrate World Water Day
This year, let’s all continue to take action to reduce our impact on the environment. If you don’t know where to begin, start with small changes. If everyone carried out simple tasks such as turning the car engine off while waiting, putting waste in the right bin, and walking or cycling for short trips, collectively … More Take Action to Save Energy
Take the Classroom Energy Diet Challenge Teachers, don’t miss your chance to register for the Classroom Energy Diet Challenge (CEDC). Sign up by Jan. 22 to participate in this free, fun, educational challenge to raise awareness about energy related issues. What is the Classroom Energy Diet Challenge about? Registered Canadian classrooms from Kindergarten to grade … More Turn over a new leaf in your classroom
‘Tis the season for bright festive lights, eggnog, candy canes, Santa Claus, celebrations with our loved ones and creating new memories. Many of us celebrate by exchanging gifts with our family and friends, which can produce a lot of waste. Have you ever given or received a gift that has so much excess packaging you … More Create memories, not garbage
Well, it’s not actually my birthday but it’s my Take Action Burlington blog’s birthday. Last November, I finally took the step of entering the social media world, at least for work purposes. No, I still don’t have a personal social media account even though everyone around me thinks I’m a little behind the times. However, … More Happy Birthday to Me!
It’s that time of year again… no pun intended. What time of year, you ask? It’s time to turn our clocks back. Or is it forward? I think I have finally remembered the “fall back, spring forward” phrase. Then again, maybe not since I had to look it up as I was writing this post. … More What to do when you “fall back?”
Since October 17 – 23 marks the 15th year that Waste Reduction Week has been celebrated across Canada, I thought I’d use this opportunity to ask those using our city buildings and outdoor spaces to think before you throw and place your waste in the right bin. In 2009, the City of Burlington piloted outdoor … More Think Before You Throw
