Tag Archives: reduce

“What Earth Day means to me” by Omar Hadi

Our home planet, Earth, is the only world known to us to contain life. We depend on it. We all walk on the surface of the Earth, we all breathe the air supplied by Earth, and so it should be our … Continue reading

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“What Earth Day means to me” by Christina Stratford

What words come to mind when you think about Earth? Beautiful, luscious…our home. Yet, there are only some places on our planet that look like what I have just described. If you want to make every place in the world look … Continue reading

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“What Earth Day means to me” by Sam Bisutti

April 22, not only is it my birthday, but it is also the day of an environmental event taking place all over the world. It’s Earth Day, and that means many things to many different people. Let me explain what … Continue reading

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Playing for the environment this World Theatre Day

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

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

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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An ode to Nana’s couch

My grandmother recently passed away. She lived a very long life, filled with much love and adventure. In the past fifteen years or so, she moved from her large single-family home into a seniors’ retirement building, then twice more into … Continue reading

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Reuse Centres in Halton Region: Upper Credit Humane Society Thrift Shop

Part of a series about the charitable reuse centres operating in Halton Region. Waste audits have shown 7% of the materials found in Halton’s residential garbage stream are textile materials that could be salvaged through reuse centres. This number may … Continue reading

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Online shopping — is it good for the environment?

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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Will you be my green Valentine?

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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LEGO – an opportunity to reuse

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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Coffee discs and cups – what convenience means to waste management

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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Reuse Centres in Halton Region: Burlington Reuse Centre

Part of a series about the charitable reuse centres operating in Halton Region. Waste audits have shown 7% of the materials found in Halton’s residential garbage stream are textile materials that could be salvaged through reuse centres. This number may not … Continue reading

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2014 Halton Waste Management Guide and Collection Calendar – how it’s made

Starting tomorrow, residents of Halton Region will start to receive their 2014 Waste Management Guide & Collection Calendar. This popular guide — the largest public document produced by Halton — provides you with your waste collection schedule, and information about Blue … Continue reading

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Recycling in the age of Hercules

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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Recycling in Downton Abbey

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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Happy holidays from HaltonRecycles

HaltonRecycles, and the entire Halton Region Waste Management Services division, wish you and your family a most happy holiday! Enjoy this Christmas recycling poem!

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A Christmas card conundrum

I admit it: I’m addicted to paper. Books, newspaper, writing paper, computer paper, flyers, brochures — I love it all. My love of paper is especially heightened during the holidays, as I love mailing (and receiving) Christmas cards. But this … Continue reading

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Christmas: A time to renew the life of the Earth

One of the great holiday traditions at Christmas time is gathering with family and friends to set up a Christmas Manger scene in our homes and churches. I remember as a child taking great care in placing the figures of … Continue reading

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O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

When I was a child I eagerly anticipated going to get a Christmas tree. I can vividly remember trekking through the snow and endless rows trying to find the perfect one. When we finally found it, the joy of yelling … Continue reading

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Wrap it up in environmentally friendly ways!

The holiday season is officially here! Festive music, tempting treats, colourful decorations and gift giving! Although a most wonderful time of the year, generous gift giving can create a lot of waste. You may be surprised to learn that gift … Continue reading

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Chanukah and the Environment

In the darkest days of December, the Jewish community will be celebrating our annual holiday of Chanukah.  This ancient ritual dates back close to 2,500 years ago when the Greek-Syrians took over the holy land of Israel from the Jewish … Continue reading

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Green is the new Black Friday

‘Tis the season — for shopping! For many North Americans, the day after the American Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, more commonly known as “Black Friday.” The day’s name originated in the 1960s and it marked the … Continue reading

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Can we ban plastic?

“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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Reuse Centres in Halton Region: Wastewise

Part of a series about the charitable reuse centres operating in Halton Region. Waste audits have shown that 7% of the materials found in Halton’s residential garbage stream are textile materials that could be salvaged through reuse centres. This number may … Continue reading

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Five person family — one bag of garbage

I was out walking with my kids the evening before our waste collection day and my 6 year old commented that a neighbour down the street had A LOT of garbage. It’s funny what kids notice! I decided against speculating … Continue reading

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Waste less this Halloween

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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School librarians promote reduce, reuse, recycle

Books have the power to educate, entertain and enthrall. They can cause personal reflection, a change of thought, and a call to action. In recognition of Waste Reduction Week in Canada and the need to protect our environment, teacher-librarians, library technicians and … Continue reading

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

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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When you look at a can of cranberries, what do you see?

When you look at a can of cranberries, what do you see? Do you see a delicious side dish to your Thanksgiving turkey? Or do you also see the seeds that grew the cranberries? What about the farmers who planted, … Continue reading

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Plastic shopping bags: friend or foe?

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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Reuse Centres in Halton Region: Canadian Diabetes Association

Part of a new series about the charitable reuse centres operating in Halton Region. Waste audits have shown that 7% of the materials found in Halton’s residential garbage stream are textile materials that could be salvaged through reuse centres. This number … Continue reading

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Meal planning = less stress and less waste!

Now that summer’s over, I am back to work and the kids are back in school. I am faced with my new reality of less time and more commitments.  Gone are the days of deciding what to feed my family … Continue reading

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WasteAid – working to improve waste management in developing countries

Imagine waking up in the morning. Instead of making breakfast, you head out into the streets, scavenging through litter and accumulated waste to find food and clothing for your family. You then head to the local dump where you pick … Continue reading

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Movie Review: Trash Dance

Is waste collection an art? To help make the case, in 2009, Allison Orr of Forklift Danceworks embedded herself with the City of Austin‘s solid waste management department, learning about waste collection procedures, trucks and equipment, and befriending the workers. Using these … Continue reading

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Halton Region’s $2 Garbage Tag Program

By recycling and composting more, you’ll have less garbage. In Halton Region, you may place out three garbage bags/cans or less at the curb every other week. More than three garbage bags/cans require a “garbage tag,” up to a total … Continue reading

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Happy New Year! It’s back to school

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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Back to school… back to green

For anyone involved in education, that feeling that creeps into your stomach as August fades away cannot be ignored. While September can bring anxiety over the uncertainties of new classes, new teachers, and a new school year, it also brings … Continue reading

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Reuse Centres in Halton Region: Breast Cancer Support Services

Part of a new series about the charitable reuse centres operating in Halton Region. Reuse centres provide many positive benefits to our community: they create jobs, provide affordable shopping, and divert waste from out landfill. Many reuse centres are registered charities, … Continue reading

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Reuse Centres in Halton Region: Burlington Humane Society

Part of a series about the charitable reuse centres operating in Halton Region. Reuse centres provide many positive benefits to our community: they create jobs, provide affordable shopping, and divert waste from out landfill. Many reuse centres are registered charities, … Continue reading

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Cups runneth over

The summer season is in full swing — bringing long weekends and warmer temperatures, backyard barbeques and outdoor parties. Entertaining in the summer is fun and, while reusable beverage cups are truly the best option, many find that outdoor entertaining … Continue reading

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

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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Halton Haz Waste – For the Orange Box!

Halton Region has turned a little orange over the past nine months. That’s because almost 1,000 homes are participating in Halton’s Orange Box pilot program. The Orange Box Pilot Program was first launched at the Halton Waste Management Site’s 20th Anniversary on … Continue reading

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Plan now for efficient water irrigation this summer

Automatic irrigation systems have become popular because of convenience, however they do not always translate into improved water efficiency. Many systems use excessive amounts of water due to improper design, installation, and/or maintenance. Irrigation systems that significantly over-water are not … Continue reading

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Improving waste diversion in the industrial, commercial and institutional sector

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

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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Growing heirloom seeds with compost

This spring I read a blog at Yard Eatins  that featured a list of heirloom seed suppliers compiled by Treehugger and a video of Jere Gettle, founder of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I like to garden and this inspired me … Continue reading

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Floating cities and the waste they create

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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Reusing plastic milk bags

Canadians should be proud of some of the life changing inventions they have pioneered.  However, Canadians have also invented a number of items that have wreaked havoc to the planet.  The familiar green garbage bag was a Canadian invention.  Canadians … Continue reading

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Travelogue: Dubai

Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates, is home to some of the most grandiose infrastructures in the world with human-made islands in the middle of the ocean and a ski resort in the desert.  Dubai is also currently home to … Continue reading

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