Category Archives: Recycle

Coming soon: Special Waste Drop-off Days

Posted on April 24, 2014 by

To make the recycling of household hazardous waste and electronic waste more convenient to residents, Halton Region holds Special Waste Drop-off Days throughout the year. During the event, tweet us @HaltonRecycles and use the event hashtag #HaltonDropOff. The first Special Waste … Continue reading →

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Playing for the environment this World Theatre Day

Posted on March 27, 2014 by

Live theatre is thriving in Halton! From presenting theatres to community theatre groups, and high school drama clubs to college programs, theatre practioners and audience members have so many options to be thrilled and entertained. Today, March 27 is World Theatre … Continue reading →

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School lunch programs and the packaging waste they create

Posted on March 20, 2014 by

When I was in elementary school, we’d have hot dog days once every few months. Parents would get together and steam hot dogs in the staff room. The hot dogs came wrapped in a paper napkin, and we had a … Continue reading →

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Children’s car seats and the 3Rs

Posted on March 17, 2014 by

Here at Halton Region, we often get asked if children’s car seats can be recycled or reused. This is one item that it is very difficult to apply the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). The first R, reduce, cannot be avoided … Continue reading →

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Waste Management in Canada: Ontario

Posted on March 10, 2014 by

Part of a series examining waste management programs across Canada. Hurry Up And Wait 2013 was an interesting year for waste management in Ontario. There were big announcements, plenty of discussion, lots of planning, but ultimately, it became a year of “hurry … Continue reading →

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Waste Management in Canada: Manitoba

Posted on March 3, 2014 by

Part of a series examining waste management programs across Canada. Keeping up with the Joneses Manitoba is an interesting creature. Winnipeg is at least 10 hours from another major city (Calgary) and at least a day’s drive from Vancouver or Toronto. Secluded … Continue reading →

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Online shopping — is it good for the environment?

Posted on February 27, 2014 by

Online shopping has gained a lot of momentum over the last few years, as retailers of all sorts move toward making it more convenient for consumers to shop. What doesn’t sound appealing about shopping in your pajamas, out of the … Continue reading →

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Waste Management in Canada: Yukon Territory

Posted on February 24, 2014 by

Part of a series examining waste management programs across Canada. Zero Waste Starts Now Raven Recycling is the premier recycling centre in the Yukon. We are a non-profit social enterprise and all the money we make goes back into education and recycling … Continue reading →

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Travelogue – South Korea

Posted on February 20, 2014 by

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting South Korea. Whenever I visit a foreign country, I can’t help but notice their waste bins; it’s a side-effect of working in the industry. While my friends take pictures of the Gyeongbokgung Palace, … Continue reading →

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Waste Management in Canada: Saskatchewan

Posted on February 18, 2014 by

Part of a series examining waste management programs across Canada. Saskatchewan — two shuffles forward, one shuffle back Change takes time. Putting new programs in place, getting everyone to (sort of) agree, approving regulatory changes, always takes longer than impatient people like … Continue reading →

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Will you be my green Valentine?

Posted on February 13, 2014 by

It may feel like we’ve just gotten through the holiday season and now it is already time to start thinking about yet another holiday — Valentine’s Day. While Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love, it can result in a lot … Continue reading →

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Posted in Blue Box, Green Living, GreenCart, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Waste Management in Canada: New Brunswick

Posted on February 10, 2014 by

Part of a series examining waste management programs across Canada. Recycle NB’s New Year’s Resolution Fulfilled New Year’s resolutions. We all make them and seldom keep them but sometimes we manage to follow through. Last year Recycle NB vowed to implement an … Continue reading →

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LEGO – an opportunity to reuse

Posted on February 6, 2014 by

Let’s face it — everyone loves LEGO! Kids love it. Adults love it. Heck, I’m in my mid 30s, and I still get a new LEGO set each Christmas! From Ninjago to LEGO Friends, from the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre to the upcoming The … Continue reading →

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Waste Management in Canada: Northwest Territories

Posted on February 3, 2014 by

Part of a series examining waste management programs across Canada. Dump Tuesdays Think of me, fellow recyclers, on Tuesdays. May your kind thoughts and heartfelt solidarity warm the Hot Paws in the inner linings of my gloves as I muster … Continue reading →

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Waste Management in Canada: Prince Edward Island

Posted on January 30, 2014 by

Part of a series examining waste management programs across Canada. A Year of Celebration On Prince Edward Island, 2014 is a year of celebration.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the initial launch of Waste Watch for our province. In the … Continue reading →

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Coffee discs and cups – what convenience means to waste management

Posted on January 27, 2014 by

Canadians love their coffee! According to one study, 65% of Canadians drink coffee daily, and 51% of coffee drinkers drink their coffee at home. Preparing your coffee at home is good for the environment because there’s no disposable cup that … Continue reading →

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Waste Management in Canada: Alberta

Posted on January 23, 2014 by

Part of a series examining waste management programs across Canada. Alberta Poised to Embrace Extended Producer Responsibility After many years with few developments on the waste policy front at the provincial level, Alberta is now poised to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations … Continue reading →

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It started with a pickle bottle and a can

Posted on January 13, 2014 by

I was doing my dishes before meeting with a women’s conversation group. Beside the sink, there was a bottle and a can. I thought, “My children’s future: the glass in this bottle will never turn back to beach sand, and … Continue reading →

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Recycling in the age of Hercules

Posted on January 9, 2014 by

I admit I’m a sucker for TV shows and movies that depict ancient Greece and Rome — Spartacus, I, Claudius, Rome, Troy, Immortals, Clash of the Titans, Gladiator — they’re right up my alley. This year, I’ll be lining up at the movies to … Continue reading →

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Winter is Coming… and the waste collection crews are too…

Posted on January 6, 2014 by

Like the fantasy author George RR Martin has been warning us for some time “Winter is coming.” But even if you’re not a Game of Thrones fan, or living in the Kingdoms of Westeros, there’s no denying a major snowfall is here! … Continue reading →

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Recycling in Downton Abbey

Posted on January 2, 2014 by

January 5, 2014 marks the return of Downton Abbey in North America, and I for one couldn’t be more excited. I came late to this television masterpiece, having binge-viewed the first three seasons over the past few weeks. Telling the story of … Continue reading →

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Posted in Green Living, History, Movie Review, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Can we ban plastic?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by

“Why don’t we ban plastic?” I’m asked this question regularly when delivering waste diversion workshops to schools, community groups and businesses. Plastic is seen as a big issue, from taking up space in our Blue Boxes, to causing worldwide situations … Continue reading →

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Update on Ontario’s Waste Reduction Act

Posted on November 7, 2013 by

Earlier this summer, HaltonRecycles wrote about the new waste management legislation introduced to the Ontario Legislature on June 6, 2013: Bill 91, the Waste Reduction Act and Waste Reduction Strategy. The proposed Act will help to establish a new system … Continue reading →

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Waste less this Halloween

Posted on October 28, 2013 by

As old Hallow’s eve draws near, costume ideas and sugary treats are on a lot of people’s minds. It is a fun and festive fall celebration, and one that can also create a large amount of waste with disposable candy … Continue reading →

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It’s Waste Reduction Week in Canada – how are you reducing waste?

Posted on October 21, 2013 by

Designers and labels get Fashion Weeks in cities around the world. The entire movie industry gets two weeks in Toronto every September. But they have nothing on the most important five days on my calendar: Waste Reduction Week in Canada. … Continue reading →

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Municipalities work together and encourage you to “recycle more”

Posted on October 2, 2013 by

Traditionally, Blue Box recycling programs in Ontario have varied from municipality to municipality. That’s now starting to change, with many municipalities accepting the same sort of materials, especially when it comes to rigid plastic packaging. Representing nearly 7 million people, … Continue reading →

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Plastic shopping bags: friend or foe?

Posted on September 30, 2013 by

I try my best to bring reusable shopping bags with me when I go to a store. However, I have to admit there have been occasions when I have forgotten them at home or in the car and am offered … Continue reading →

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Trees and recycling – connect to National Tree Day

Posted on September 23, 2013 by

Trees and recycling have a long history together. With National Tree Day coming up on September 25, 2013, let’s have a look at how trees, paper and recycling are connected. In Canada, we are fortunate to have a vast supply … Continue reading →

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Happy New Year! It’s back to school

Posted on September 3, 2013 by

Today, students, teachers, custodians and administrators of the Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board, Provincial Schools Branch, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, and Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud start a new school year. Halton Region has great partnerships with the publicly-funded … Continue reading →

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The Green Fence Policy – China tightens restrictions at its boarders

Posted on August 8, 2013 by

About five months ago, there was a bit of a hiccup in the world-wide recycling industry: China implemented what is known as “The Green Fence Policy.” This policy has resulted in more rigorous scrutiny of all recyclable material coming into … Continue reading →

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New waste management legislation proposed for Ontario

Posted on August 6, 2013 by

On June 6, 2013, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment Jim Bradley, introduced Bill 91 to the Ontario Legislature. Bill 91 – An Act to establish a new regime for the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste and to repeal the … Continue reading →

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Visiting the Halton Waste Management Site during the summer

Posted on August 1, 2013 by

The Halton Waste Management Site (HWMS) can be extremely busy during the summer. Here’s a few helpful tips and reminders to make your next visit simple and easy. Check your Waste Management Guide and Collection Calendar for materials that are … Continue reading →

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Fore! Look out, the 2013 RBC Canadian Open is going green!

Posted on July 18, 2013 by

This year, from July 22 to 28, Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville will be hosting the 104th Canadian Open golf tournament. This week long tournament showcases the abilities of over 26 amateur and professional Canadian and international golfers.  It … Continue reading →

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Improving waste diversion in the industrial, commercial and institutional sector

Posted on June 27, 2013 by

In Ontario, households are doing a great job practicing the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). From shopping wisely and choosing products with minimal packaging to packing food in reusable containers, residents’ participation in curbside recycling programs helps Ontario’s household waste diversion … Continue reading →

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Six steps to upcycling success: from baby crib to blanket rack

Posted on June 24, 2013 by

Several years ago, a friend’s parents were preparing their home for sale. This included decluttering three decades worth of family-oriented items before they would make a “downsizing” move to another house. During a pre-move visit, I found that many precious, … Continue reading →

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Floating cities and the waste they create

Posted on June 13, 2013 by

I recently had the opportunity to call a new place home for 14 nights.  This new home is a magical place where you can throw your towels on the floor and they get cleaned and replaced twice a day.  There … Continue reading →

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Why we can now recycle rigid plastic packaging in Halton

Posted on June 3, 2013 by

In April 2013, Halton Region added new rigid plastic packaging to its Blue Box, including clear plastic “clamshell” containers, black and clear plastic take-out containers, and single-serve plastic food containers. Here, Halton Region and its external partners explain how these … Continue reading →

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Waste’s impact on biodiversity

Posted on May 23, 2013 by

Visit the Royal Ontario Museum and learn how biodiversity is being impacted by waste — and how we can minimize those environmental impacts.

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Posted in Disposal, Green Living, Household Hazardous Waste, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Celebrating National Public Works Week

Posted on May 21, 2013 by

One of my favourite books is In The Skin of the Lion, by famed Canadian author Michael Ondaatje.  Part of this excellent novel narrates the lives of the workers who helped build some of Toronto’s most iconic — and important — public … Continue reading →

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Recycling old recycling bins

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

Most of us are familiar with the materials accepted by our municipal curbside recycling programs, items like paper, cardboard, steel and aluminum cans, and certain plastic packaging But did you ever wonder what happens to those materials that are a … Continue reading →

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The issue of bottled water

Posted on March 18, 2013 by

I have always struggled with the issue of bottled water; my views of the issue change regularly.  I don’t have a definitive solution or answer to the issue, just a lot of ideas. There’s been a lot of research done recently … Continue reading →

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Fifty Shades of Blue

Posted on February 28, 2013 by

Recycling bins are coloured blue based on the first curbside recycling program in Ontario. Starting March 2013, Halton Region will be offering new Blue Boxes.  These Blue Boxes will be larger: 83 litres (22 gallons) instead of the current 60 litres (16 … Continue reading →

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Protect the environment when skiing, snowboarding and tubing

Posted on February 4, 2013 by

We’re hitting the slopes at Glen Eden, learning how we can protect the environment while skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

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Litter in the Arctic? Say it ain’t so…

Posted on January 31, 2013 by

When I think of litter I imagine it in a heavily populated urban setting.  Litter tends to accumulate in roadside ditches, parks and other well traveled areas right? Well, you might be surprised to hear that a recent study performed by researchers … Continue reading →

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Women in Waste: Laura Shippen – building a strong career path

Posted on January 28, 2013 by

In the first segment of our Women In Waste series, we looked at an influential woman in an unconventional career at our Halton Waste Management Site. In this blog I interviewed a young woman who started her career path early … Continue reading →

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Travelogue: Shuffle off to Buffalo

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

Canadian thrill seekers understand the adrenaline rush of wearing three newly purchased t-shirts, one on top of the other, as they cross the border from the U.S. back into Canada. “Nothing to declare.” I totally recognize that cross-border shopping discourages … Continue reading →

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Alton Village Public School is going green

Posted on January 14, 2013 by

We are the Alton Village Public School Eco Team — a brand new elementary school in north Burlington. Our school is working hard every day to recycle and compost. The Eco Team promotes this by having announcements about what things … Continue reading →

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Posted in 3Rs Community Champion, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Schools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Seeking better performance: Integrating waste diversion is a key first step for businesses

Posted on January 10, 2013 by

Waste as a term is sometimes misleading — a growing number of items can be reused, recovered or recycled, and don’t have to be “wasted.” In Ontario, many businesses are required to operate recycling programs, conduct waste audits and develop … Continue reading →

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Waste management in a winter wonderland

Posted on January 8, 2013 by

In the wintertime the snow and cold can have a real impact on collecting and processing Blue Box material. When everyone else is wishing for and dreaming of a white Christmas, we in the waste management business like it mild … Continue reading →

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My new year’s resolutions – helping the environment more

Posted on January 2, 2013 by

I tend to consider September, with its emphasis on back-to-school new beginnings as more of a new year, however every January I do try to make some new year’s resolutions. Some studies indicate that by the end of January, a … Continue reading →

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