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Tag Archives: sustainability
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
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!
Posted in Green Living
Tagged 3rs, Christmas, environment, holidays, recycle, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
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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
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
Celebrating GIS Day
On my way to work in the GIS section at Halton Regional Centre, I realized that I needed to stop at the nearest gas station — before my car ran out of fuel! — so I picked up my hand-held … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living
Tagged environmental education, geographic information system, GIS, GIS Day, GPS, sustainability, sustainable, waste management
4 Comments
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
Posted in Green Living
Tagged 3rs, book, children, eco, environment, environmental education, Halton District School Board, libraries, library, literacy, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, waste management, zero waste
1 Comment
Are you throwing away edible food?
My personal journey with food waste started in October 2011, when I heard Dr. Ralph Martin, Loblaw Chair in Sustainable Food Production from the University of Guelph, deliver a keynote speech about how we are going to feed ourselves in … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living, GreenCart
Tagged 3rs, compost, composting, environment, family, food, food waste, Ralph Martin, sustainability, World Food Day, zero waste
5 Comments
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
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
Posted in Green Living, Schools
Tagged 3rs, children, composting, conservation, consumerism, environment, environmental education, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, school, sustainability, sustainable, waste management
3 Comments
Greening for golf
Did you know the sport of golf and the environmental movement have a long standing relationship? Some golf courses in the Great Toronto Area are built on closed landfills and other golf courses are working towards being certified for their environmental … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living
Tagged conservation, eco, environment, golf, RBC Canadian Open, sustainability, sustainable, zero waste
4 Comments
World Population Day
World Population Day is recognized internationally on July 11. Coordinated by the United Nations Population Fund, World Population Day aims to educate about the challenges — and opportunities — associated with increased population on development, health and social attitudes. In … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living
Tagged conservation, eco, environment, Places to Grow, population, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, World Population Day
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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
Posted in Compost, Green Living
Tagged Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, compost, composting, eco, environment, food, gardening, Jere Gettle, nature, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, tomato
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Think.Eat.Save – World Environment Day 2013
While not as well-known as Earth Day in April, World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5. Organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, World Environment Day raises awareness about the need for positive environmental action. The theme for the 2013 … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living, Reduce
Tagged composting, conservation, consumerism, environment, food, food waste, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, World Environment Day, zero waste
1 Comment
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
Posted in Travel
Tagged conservation, consumerism, Dubai, environment, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, travel, United Arab Emirates, vacation, waste management, zero waste
1 Comment
Waste’s impact on biodiversity
Visit the Royal Ontario Museum and learn how biodiversity is being impacted by waste — and how we can minimize those environmental impacts.
Posted in Disposal, Green Living, Household Hazardous Waste, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Video
Tagged bald eagle, biodiversity, conservation, consumerism, environment, environmental education, household hazardous waste, International Day for Biological Diversity, nature, Royal Ontario Museum, sea turtle, sustainability, sustainable, waste management
1 Comment
Road Trip!
It is the start of summer. For many of us, it is also the start of summer road trips. Whether a trip to the cottage or exploring Canada, here are some tips that can help make the trip greener. Make … Continue reading
Stream of Dreams
This is one of my favourite times of year, not just because the flowers are blooming but because it means Conservation Halton Dream Team will soon be in local schools talking to children, teachers and parents about the importance of water … Continue reading
What Earth Day means to me
Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22. The first Earth Day was held in the United States in 1970 and was organized by Senator Gaylord Nelson. The first Canadian Earth Day was celebrated in 1980, and in 1990 … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Green Living
Tagged 3rs, children, conservation, consumerism, earth day, eco, environment, environmental education, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
7 Comments
Do you have too much recycling?
Whenever people learn where I work, they almost instantly begin to share with me how they manage their waste at their home. A lot of these people very proudly exclaim “I recycle so much! Each week I put out five … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box
Tagged 3rs, Blue Box, environment, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, zero waste
1 Comment
Four ways waste management is changing – and what this means for jobs
The waste management industry you see today has come a long way. In contrast to the historical approach of managing waste disposal through land filling or burning, the emerging model for waste management focuses on reducing waste production and diverting … Continue reading
Halton residents divert a lot of waste at Special Waste Drop-off Days
The final numbers are in for all seven of 2012’s Special Waste Drop-Off Days. Over 5,200 vehicles dropped off materials at our seven events — in fact, Halton residents diverted 108 tonnes of household hazardous waste and 128 tonnes … Continue reading
All the good reasons Halton is reducing its garbage limit
As of April 1, 2013, Halton Region has reduced its garbage bag limit and introduced garbage tags. Information on the program details and garbage tags can be found at http://www.halton.ca/garbagetags. You may be wondering why Halton Region is reducing its garbage … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, Garbage, Green Living, GreenCart
Tagged 3rs, compost, composting, conservation, consumerism, eco, environment, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, waste management, zero waste
1 Comment
Halton’s garbage tag program
Learn all about Halton Region’s garbage tag program. Starting April 1, 2013, Halton residents may place 3 garbage bags/cans or less at the curb every other week. More than 3 garbage bags/cans will require a “garbage tag,” up to a … Continue reading
Posted in Disposal, Garbage
Tagged 3rs, consumerism, environment, Garbage, landfill, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, waste management, zero waste
2 Comments
Preparing for baby
I am not a consumer. My husband and I modestly pride ourselves on being minimalists. Don’t get me wrong, I do like getting something new (or new to me) once in a while, but I definitely don’t desire the latest … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living
Tagged 3rs, baby, children, conservation, consumerism, environment, family, lifestyle, pregnancy, pregnant, sustainability, sustainable, waste management
2 Comments
I wish you enough
I enjoy a good internet meme like Texts from Hilary Clinton, Ikea Monkey and Kid President. Recently I came across a Facebook post/story that’s been making the rounds called “I wish you enough.” Part of the story included the following “poem,” which really got … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living
Tagged 3rs, conservation, consumerism, eco, environment, sustainability, waste management, zero waste
1 Comment
Lent and the environment – making a connection
The season of Lent is arguably the oldest of Christian holy days. Lent lasts forty days, recalling the forty days Jesus fasted in the desert to prepare for his ministry. This year it runs from February 13 to March 30, … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living
Tagged 3rs, conservation, consumerism, Easter, environment, family, Holy Week, Lent, Maple Grove United Church, place of worship, recycling, reduce, reuse, spirituality, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
1 Comment
Gross National Happiness Index
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), defined as the value of goods and services produced in a country in a given period of time, is the globally accepted indicator for standard of living. However, the old saying “Money can’t buy you happiness” … Continue reading
Protect the environment when skiing, snowboarding and tubing
We’re hitting the slopes at Glen Eden, learning how we can protect the environment while skiing, snowboarding and tubing.
Posted in Green Living, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
Tagged children, conservation, Conservation Halton, environment, Glen Eden, Kelso Conservation Area, leave no trace, outdoors, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, ski, skiing, snowboard, snowboarding, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
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Litter in the Arctic? Say it ain’t so…
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
Posted in Green Living, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
Tagged 3rs, Arctic, conservation, environment, leave no trace, litter, ocean, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
1 Comment
Seeking better performance: Integrating waste diversion is a key first step for businesses
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
Posted in Businesses, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
Tagged 3rs, business, conservation, environment, IC&I, product stewardship, recycle, recycling, recycling council of ontario, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, waste audits, waste diversion, waste management, zero waste
2 Comments
Eco friendly gifts for the holidays
It’s the holiday season, and as that old song goes, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” It’s a time for gathering with family and friends, taking part in celebrations, sharing delicious meals, and giving gifts. Unfortunately, along with all … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
Tagged 3rs, Christmas, conservation, consumerism, eco, environment, family, gift, holiday waste, holidays, presents, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
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Green holiday shopping tips
It’s that time of year again, the pumpkins and leaves have been sent to the composting pile and the malls are decked in holiday décor. The stores are filling up with holiday shoppers. According to Moneyville, the average Canadian will spend … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
Tagged 3rs, children, Christmas, conservation, consumerism, eco, environment, family, food, gift, holidays, presents, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, shopping, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
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There’s a new box in Halton Region, and it’s orange!
Every week, Halton residents fill their Blue Boxes and Greencarts and place them at the curb for recycling and composting. Sometimes, if you are doing a big clean up, you will put your large items out for bulk collection or bring them to … Continue reading
Posted in Household Hazardous Waste, Landfill, Recycle
Tagged 3rs, conservation, consumerism, eco, environment, hazardous waste material, hazardous waste materials, household hazardous waste, product stewardship, recycle, recycling, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
4 Comments
Five Weird Electronic Recycling Facts
With electronic recycling becoming increasingly crucial to the future of the planet, recovering mobile phones, and recycling old computers, televisions, printers and other electronic goods should be a priority for those that want to improve their ecological footprint. When considering … Continue reading
Score a touchdown for the environment! Make your Grey Cup party green
Touchdown! Coming from the Canadian prairies, Grey Cup football parties were a time to show my “Rider Pride” green. Now “green” takes on a whole new meaning, with efforts to make my Grey Cup party environmentally friendly. This year marks the … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, Compost, Green Living, GreenCart, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
Tagged 3rs, Calgary Stampeders, Canadian Football League, CFL, composting, environment, family, food, Garbage, Grey Cup, landfill, party, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, Toronto Argonauts, zero waste
1 Comment
The history of recycling in Ontario
Have you ever wondered why the recycling box is blue? Or why only certain materials are accepted for recycling? Or even where recycling started? Proof of recycling can actually be found all the way back to 400 BCE, however modern … Continue reading
Travelogue – Recycling in Africa
You usually travel to the other side of the world, looking for a break from your regular routines and a chance to experience how others live. As someone who works in the waste management profession, I sometimes find it hard … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living, Travel
Tagged 3rs, Africa, conservation, environment, Kruger National Park, leave no trace, litter, nature, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, Table Mountain National Park, waste management, zero waste
2 Comments
10 Ways to Repurpose Common Household Items
Whether you want to save some money, add a unique decorative touch to your home, or you just do not want to throw something out, there are many ways you can reuse common household items. Here are some suggestions to … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living
Tagged conservation, consumerism, diy, environment, reduce, reuse, style, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
2 Comments
How We Compost Yard Waste
Ever wonder how yard waste is composted in Halton Region? In this 2 minute second video, I interview Luke McCarter of Gro-Bark, who explains how yard waste is composted into a nutrient-rich natural fertilizer. Luke also offers some tips to … Continue reading
Posted in Compost, Houses
Tagged compost, composting, conservation, environment, environmental education, garden, gardening, nature, outdoors, recycling, sustainability, sustainable, video, waste management, Yard Waste, zero waste
2 Comments
Fostering environmental literacy through Ontario EcoSchools
Students across Ontario are going green! They’re collecting classroom recycling and organics, ensuring energy is being conserved, creating outdoor learning spaces, and learning about how their actions — no matter how small — can make a big difference for our … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, Education, GreenCart, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Schools
Tagged 3rs, children, conservation, eco, education, environment, environmental education, Ontario EcoSchools, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, school, sustainability, waste management, zero waste
3 Comments
The importance of waste management and fresh water resources: Looking at Indonesia’s Citarum River
Before you read this blog post, you may want to watch this YouTube video on the Citarum River: We are so lucky to have the fresh water resources and river systems that we do in Ontario. I have been very … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, Disposal, Green Living, GreenCart, Household Hazardous Waste
Tagged 3rs, Citarum River, conservation, disposal, eco, education, environment, environmental education, fresh water resources, nature, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, wastewater, water, zero waste
4 Comments
Why visit Halton’s Compost Give Away?
I live and garden in north Oakville — in past years known as “red hill.” It came by the name honestly as the “soil” is actually red clay where children’s white socks become pink in no time. When we purchased … Continue reading
Posted in Compost, Green Living
Tagged compost, composting, eco, environment, flowers, garden, gardening, nature, outdoors, plants, science, sustainability, sustainable
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An inadvertent side effect of a Full House – How would Uncle Jesse manage all this waste?
A little while back my in-laws decided to downsize and sell their house. They got into the early spring market and voila — their house sold in record time at full asking price. Only problem was that everything happened a … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, Compost, Garbage, Green Living, GreenCart, Houses, Reduce, Reuse
Tagged 3rs, children, composting, conservation, consumerism, eco, environment, family, food, Garbage, parents, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sustainability, sustainable, waste management
2 Comments
Make environmental choices when “back to school” shopping
Time for back to school! I visit Staples for some some environmentally friendly options for “back to school” supplies.
Posted in Blue Box, Education, Green Living, GreenCart, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Schools
Tagged 3rs, back to school, children, composting, conservation, education, environment, environmental education, recycle, recycling, reduce, school, school supplies, Staples, sustainability, zero waste
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Monitoring landfills from afar with SCADA
SCADA – Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. That sounds like something out of a NASA acronyms manual, but it’s actually more down to earth than that. If you say that you have SCADA, it just means that you’ve got a computerized system that … Continue reading
Posted in Disposal, Garbage, Landfill
Tagged data, data management, disposal, environment, Garbage, landfill, monitoring, SCADA, science, sustainability, sustainable, technology, waste management
3 Comments
Do you know what’s in your cell phone?
At a recent family function, I pulled out my cell phone to answer a text message. My family members were appalled — not because I was being rude and answering a text message, but because I have an “old” cell … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, E-waste, Green Living, Recycle
Tagged 3rs, cellphone, coltan, Congo, congo drc, consumerism, Democratic Republic of Congo, e-waste, electronic waste, environment, lowland gorilla, product stewardship, recycle, recycling, science, sustainability, sustainable, technology, waste management, zero waste
1 Comment
Bringing good agricultural practices to the city
With more Ontarians growing up in urban areas, there is an increasing disconnect between the farming community and the people who populate Ontario’s urban centres. Summer is a great time to help bridge this gap. A visit to your local … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, Businesses, Green Living, Houses, Product Stewardship, Recycle
Tagged 3rs, conservation, eco, environment, garden, gardening, plastic plant pots, product stewardship, recycle, recycling, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
1 Comment
Innovations in recycling
I recently attended Stewardship Ontario’s Sustainability Summit at the Brickworks in Toronto. Stewardship Ontario is a private, not-for-profit, industry led stewardship organization established in 2002 under the Waste Diversion Act. Based on a model of shared responsibility, stewards and municipalities split … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, Education, Green Living, Product Stewardship, Recycle
Tagged 3rs, consumerism, education, environment, extended producer responsbility, hazardous waste materials, product stewardship, recycle, recycling, science, Stewardship Ontario, sustainability, sustainable, waste management, zero waste
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Going green while going for the gold at the Olympics
The countdown is on — the London 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games are only days away. This major sporting event is enjoyed by tens of thousands of spectators in the host city and is watched by hundreds of millions … Continue reading
Posted in Blue Box, Green Living, GreenCart, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
Tagged 3rs, compost, composting, conservation, eco, environment, inspire a generation, leave no trace, London, Olympics, recycle, recycling, reduce, reuse, sports, sustainability, sustainable, Team Canada, waste management, zero waste
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GPS Leads the Way to Longer Landfill Site Life
In January 2012, Halton’s landfill operators at the Halton Waste Management Site had some new technology added to their heavy machinery. GPS systems are well-known for helping people get around town by car or on foot, but it may be … Continue reading
Posted in Garbage, Landfill
Tagged conservation, disposal, environment, Garbage, geography, GIS, GPS, landfill, landfill capacity, machines, science, sustainability, sustainable, waste compaction, waste management, zero waste
4 Comments
