Environment

Welcome to Burlington's Environment page.

Learn what we're doing to reduce our impact on the environment and how you can help by exploring the topics below. Consider subscribing to this and other environmental pages, including the Take Action Burlington blog, to stay up to date on our programs and initiatives.

You can find the 'subscribe to this page' button on the top right section of each page.

Climate Change

Citizen charging electric vehicle at EV station

Electric Vehicles

Energy

Environmental Programs

Forestry Operations

Garbage, recycling and green bin containers out on the sidewalk

Garbage and Recycling

Idling

Local Food

Water

Take Action Burlington

Check out the latest Take Action Burlington blog posts titled...

To receive emails each time a new post is published, press the "follow" button at TakeActionBurlington.ca and enter your email address. Approximately two posts will be published each month. #TakeActionBurlington #LiveGreenBurl

On June 17, 2019, City of Burlington sustainability staff presented Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment to Council. This report provides an overview on the state of Burlington’s environment including information on local sustainability efforts and actions that can be taken. A series of five posts were published at TakeActionBurlington.ca throughout the summer (overview, land, air, water and waste). An online story map about the report is also available.

Environment Events

Event

Details

Date

Our Climate, Ourselves Series

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Risk: Is Canada Prepared?

Robert Baker former dean of science and vice-president (research) at McMaster University in conversation with
Blair Feltmate, head of Intact Centre on Climate
Adaptation, University of Waterloo.

Feb. 5

7 to 8:30 p.m.

McMaster University, Concert Hall, L.R. Wilson Hall, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton

Our Climate, Ourselves Series

Driving Ontario's Clean Energy Future

Cara Clairman, President and CEO of Plug 'n Drive will present on the environmental and economic benefits of driving electric as well as the latest trends in Canada and worldwide. She will highlight what Plug 'n Drive and others are doing in an effort to accelerate EV adoption, including a focus on used EVs. Finally, she will talk about the policy environment and the influence it has on car buying and what policies would help get more people out of gas cars and into electric cars within the next ten years.

This is a joint Event between McMaster Climate Centre, City of Hamilton, City of Burlington, Mohawk College Centre for Climate Change Management, Bay Area Climate Change Office, Ontario Climate Consortium, Global Water Futures, McMaster Water Network, United Nations University-Institute for Water, McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics, and The Socrates project. Supported by RBC Foundation.

Feb. 6

7 to 8:30 p.m.

Refreshments at 6:30 p.m.

McMaster Innovation Park (MIP), Room 1ABCD, 175 Longwood Rd. S., Hamilton

Halton ACTION on Climate Change - Come Share YOUR Voice

All residents of the City of Burlington and the Towns of Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills are welcome to attend an open space discussion about the impacts of Climate Change in our community.

The goal of this evening is to give concerned citizens of Halton an opportunity to speak about issues that matter to them and to come away with actionable solutions.

Activists at all levels—seniors and students, executives and employees, politicians and voters—can add value to this process. Flagging issues that need attention, creating space for authentic conversations, proposing solutions, and building coalitions around policy that will accelerate the implementation of solutions, all are open for discussion. Choosing those that best align with your individual and collective capacity and interests is an important determinant of longevity and impact.

This evening is made possible by the collective efforts of The Halton Environmental Network, BurlingtonGreen, Oakvillegreen, and The Climate Reality Project Canada.

Please RSVP for this free event.

Feb. 10

6 to 9 p.m.

Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Road, Oakville

Could your next car be electric?

Learn about the environmental and financial benefits of an electric vehicle (EV).

Plug ‘n Drive will present and bring three vehicles to test drive.
Current EV owners will also be present with their vehicles to answer your questions.

Please note that a valid drivers licence is required for the test drive.

This event is presented by the Burlington Sustainable Development Committee.

Registration link for this FREE event coming soon.

May 7

6:30 to 9 p.m.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall and library parking lot, 2331 New St.

Environment News

Halton Region has posted an online survey to gain a better understanding of your participation in their waste management programs and the ways you currently find information or stay informed about how to properly use their waste management programs. Take the survey until Feb. 28.
The draft Climate Action Plan report was presented to Committee of the Whole on Dec. 2, 2019. A further opportunity to delegate was available at the Jan. 13, 2020 Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services meeting. An online survey was also available until Jan. 20 at getinvolvedburlington.ca/climate-action-plan. The final Climate Action Plan will be presented to the Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee on March 9, 2020.
Read a message from Stuart Miller, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board on the benefits of walking or wheeling to school - Fall 2019.
July 15, 2019 - City of Burlington approves the 2018-2022 Burlington’s Plan: From Vision to Focus workplan which includes a Focus Area Supporting Sustainable Infrastructure and a Resilient Environment.
Environment reports at the June 10 Committee of the Whole meeting
- Take Action Burlington - An Update on Our Local Environment
  - Staff Report
  - Appendix A - Take Action Burlington - An Update on Our Local Environment
  - Appendix B - SDC Recommendations
  - Appendix C - Staff Update on SOER V Recommendations
  - Story Map
  - Take Action Burlington blog posts (overview, land, air, water and waste)
- Climate Action Update Report - June 2019
City of Burlington declares climate emergency.
Check out the latest blog posts at TakeActionBurlington.ca. #TakeActionBurlington #LiveGreenBurl
More EV charging stations in downtown Burlington.
In June 2017, the City of Burlington was recognized for achieving all five milestones in the Partners for Climate Protection Program. Media release and blog post.
What's your EcoScore? Find out and be eligible to win great prizes.
Bike Rack Giveaway Program - The City of Burlington recognizes the bottom-line benefits of businesses becoming more bike friendly for their customers and employees . This year the City of Burlington is offering a FREE bike rack (valued at $600 each) to the first 15 Burlington businesses that provide proof they have applied for a Share the Road Bike Friendly Business Award. All interested business are encouraged to email Dan Ozimkovic at Dan.Ozimkovic@burlington.ca

On June 22, 2015, Burlington City Council endorsed the City of Burlington's Blue Dot Declaration for the right to a healthy environment. Blue Dot is a project of the David Suzuki Foundation encouraging individuals and communities across Canada to declare their right to a healthy environment. View the Blue Dot report to Council

Environmental Videos