Waste Initiatives

In 2009, Burlington City Council approved a zero waste strategy. In an effort to reduce garbage, the city has introduced centralized waste stations in most facilities, for the Blue Box, GreenCart and garbage materials.  Individual garbage cans have been removed from work stations to help encourage waste reduction.  When the GreenCart and centralized waste stations were introduced at City Hall, daily garbage output was reduced by 50 per cent.

The city has also installed high capacity side by side recycling/waste stations.  The stations are located at major parks near picnic areas and sports fields, providing access to recycling, diverting recyclables from the waste stream. **Please note that these stations are NOT for electronic waste or e-waste.**

Due to COVID-19, please see below for updated locations and hours:

Household batteries and cell phones can be dropped off for recycling at the following collection sites:

Battery and cell phone recycling drop off container OPEN at:

• Burlington City Hall, 426 Brant St. - Monday to Friday 9 am to 3:30 pm

Battery and cell phone recycling drop off container currently CLOSED at:

• Aldershot Community Pool, 50 Fairwood Pl 
• Appleby Ice Centre, 1201 Appleby Line
• Brant Hills Community Centre, 2255 Brant St
• Burlington Seniors' Centre, 2285 New St
• Conservation Halton Administration, 2596 Brittania Rd West
• Haber Recreation Centre, 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr
• Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way

Battery Collection Criteria

• Only household batteries, each weighing less than 2 lbs/1 kg are accepted.
• No household cordless phones, mobile installed or bag phones, two-way radios, walkie-talkies, or pagers.
• No truck/car batteries or batteries larger than 2lbs/1kg. Please take these to the Halton Waste Management Site,
• Lithium batteries and rechargeable batteries (including cell phones) must be protected from short-circuiting by covering the battery terminals with tape or individually bagging the lithium battery.
• All cell phone makes and models are accepted.
• Phones should be deactivated prior to depositing into the collection box.
• Please ensure to terminate your service and erase your personal data.
• If your phone has a SIM card, remove it.

Collection statistics for batteries & cell phones at city facilities

• 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.

  • The Burlington Fire Department has teamed up with Green Tec Recycling Solutions to recycle unwanted electronic items, keeping harmful materials out of landfills. 

    Acceptable items can be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., seven days a week to:

    • Station No. 1, 1255 Fairview St.
    • Station No. 4, 711 Appleby Line
    • Station No. 7, 4100 Dundas St.

    The proceeds generated by recovering reusable electronic materials will be used to support the Burlington Fire Department's Vehicle Rescue Team.

• 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.

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.

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.