Waste Initiatives

This section explores the programs and initiatives that exist within Burlington to decrease the pressure on our regional landfill as well as tips to prevent waste.

Additional Recycling Resources

• Take It Back! Halton is a directory of local business, non-profit organizations and municipal facilities that take back materials to be reused, recycled or properly disposed.

• In Ontario, there are a number of programs run by private industries that offer enhanced recycling opportunities to residents:
  • For household hazardous and special waste, visit the Orange Drop Program.
  • For electronics, visit Recycle Your Electronics.

Thirsty Campaign

The "Thirsty" awareness campaign was developed to promote city water and the restriction on the sale of bottled water at city facilities. Floor and wall decals were developed to guide patrons to water fountains with bottle fillers at city facilities.

Implemented initiatives include:

• Discontinuing the use of water coolers from office areas and water bottles at council meetings and staff meetings.
• Discontinuing the sale of water bottles where an alternative exists (e.g., water fountains) and where contracts permit.
• Retrofitting or replacing indoor and outdoor water fountains.
• Removing bottled water products from vending machines and city operated concessions.
• Adding two "water bars" at outdoor city events.
• Sports teams are not permitted to sell bottled water for fundraising on city property. Teams are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles.
• Plans are underway to link all municipal sites that have indoor and outdoor water bottle fillers to the city's mapping system and open source data pilot project.

In 2011, Burlington City Council endorsed that Burlington become a Blue Community. (PDF)

Facts about Tap Water

Tap water is:

• Convenient - Turn the tap or push the button on the water fountain to quench your thirst.
• Affordable - Tap water costs less than a penny a litre. You can always flavour your water in your refillable container by adding a slice of lemon, orange or lime.
• Tested and Safe - Halton Region performs thousands of tests every year on the water supply to ensure that the water is safe to drink. The Region's water quality exceeds the mandatory standards set by the Ontario Government.

Information for Permit Holders at City Facilities 

• On Feb. 22, 2010, Burlington City Council approved an implementation plan to restrict the sale of bottled water in city facilities, with some exceptions  (PDF)
• While the sale of bottled water has not been restricted at outdoor events and festivals, staff is working with organizers to promote municipal drinking water where possible.

Waste Reduction Tips

• If you do not see a garbage or recycling bin nearby, take your wrappers or beverage container home with you for proper disposal.
• Do not throw your cigarette butts on the ground.
• Take a moment to pick up garbage in your neighbourhood, by your business or your school.
• Consider organizing a neighbourhood clean up.
• Secure your waste and recyclables put out for collection at the curbside to prevent them from being blown away.

Indoor water efficiency tips from Halton Region

• Consider replacing your 13-litre toilet with a high efficiency 4.8-litre toilet.
• Use water-efficient shower heads in your bathroom.
• Use front load washing machines, which consume up to 40 per cent less water and up to 60 per cent less energy and they're more gentle on your clothes too.
• Install an aerator on all faucets in your home.
• Avoid running the tap when brushing your teeth, cleaning, shaving, and washing. By filling a cup or the sink with water when doing these tasks, you can reduce water use by 60 to 80 per cent.
• Partially fill a container with water to wash fruits and vegetables.
• Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap to wait for cold water.
• Fully load your dishwasher before each wash cycle, and you may even use less water than washing dishes by hand.

Outdoor water efficiency tips from Halton Region

• Adjust sprinklers so that only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
• Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering or set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn with a hose.
• Use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff when watering grass on steep slopes.
• Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don't water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of litres of water annually.
• Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
• Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.
• Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
• Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
• Direct downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees, or collect and use for your garden.

Visit Halton Region for more water conservation tips.