Conserve in 2008
December 31, 2007
The Conservation Council of Ontario is launching a five-year campaign to help individuals, businesses and organizations better conserve. The best way to reduce climate change, air pollution, destruction of natural areas and other environmental woes is to use less, says Chris Winter, who heads the council.
Ringing in a green new year
December 29, 2007
Throwing a party to ring in the new year on Monday night? No need to toss your green morals out the window. Use it as an opportunity to share good health and positive actions with your friends and guests.
Choose biodegradable bags for your green bin
December 29, 2007
The Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) says Toronto should require residents to use biodegradable bags instead of plastic in their green bins, which would eliminate the city’s need to separate waste and plastic mechanically, saving money and reducing the amount of plastic sent to landfills.
City’s new recycling plan hits glitch
December 28, 2007
Just two weeks after Toronto began rolling out mega blue bins, the Canadian Polystyrene Recycling Association in Mississauga is closing its doors, citing declining revenues. The recycling plant was key to the city’s new plan to add polystyrene and plastic bags to the list of items residents can recycle at the curb.
The green goods
December 28, 2007
Cool green stuff from around the web:
Gift cards may make convenient presents for Christmas, but they’re a lump of coal for the environment. According to the Consumers’ Association of Canada, Canadians will spend $3 billion on gift cards this year, which means a lot of rectangular pieces of plastic will end up in the garbage.
Treecycle
December 27, 2007
So…it’s over for another year. Now what? The City of Toronto’s Christmas tree recycling program offers residents a convenient and environmentally sensitive way to dispose of Christmas trees after the holidays. You can compost your own greenery (fir trees, wreaths and boughs) for mulch in your garden, or put it out for city collection during the first and second weeks of January (check your local collection calendar for regularly scheduled collection days).
Green event listings
December 27, 2007
Green events for the week of Dec. 20 to Jan. 3
World Healing Event Concert, guided meditation and candle-lighting to inspire world peace. 6:30-8 am, Monday, December 31. Free. St. Lawrence Hall, 157 King E. 416-690-2095.
Please consider the environment before printing this story
December 27, 2007
The advent of e-mail, though a seemingly paperless mode of communication, is responsible for the consumption of more than a few trees. In response, you may have noticed a new trend in your inbox: the tagline “Please consider the environment before printing this email” (or some variety thereof).
Holiday treats
December 22, 2007
What’s Christmas without the food? Or more specifically, what’s Christmas without the sugary treats? Cozy up by the fire this year with an organic gravenstein apple cider and a slice of dairy-free fruitcake with the help of our favourite homemade festive recipes.
Recycled togs
December 22, 2007
Got an old fleece coat you don’t know what to do with? Some polyester duds that have seen better days? Drop them off at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), who’ll recycle your old togs and save them from the landfill. The environmentally responsible outdoors retailer introduced a garment-recycling program in stores across Canada this year and has repurposed more than 1800 kilograms of clothing through the Toronto store alone.
