Earth Day ideas that just make sense to invest in our planet
This Earth Day, The Regional Municipality of York is celebrating ways to ‘invest in our planet’. We need to act boldly, innovate broadly and implement equitably. It’s going to take all of us.
Let’s partner to protect the planet. Check out these simple ideas you can do that just make sense for a prosperous and sustainable future, to restore nature and build a healthy planet for generations to come.
Keeping our infrastructure resilient and your water safe
Whether it happens above-ground where you can see it or out of sight, we work year-round to provide safe, efficient and reliable transportation and water and wastewater systems and infrastructure.
Over the next 10 years, York Region will invest more than $3 billion to keep our pedestrians, buses and cars moving efficiently and $2.5 billion in water and wastewater projects to ensure growing communities are supported.
We all play a vital role in maintaining a safe, reliable and resilient water and wastewater system now and for future generations. From its source, water is collected, treated, pumped, stored, continuously tested and monitored – all before reaching your tap. In 2021, York Region water scored 100% in the Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Annual Report.
What you can do
- Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth – this can save up to 16 litres of water each time
- Keep a cold jug of water in the fridge or use a few ice cubes to cool your water instead of running the tap until the water is cold
- Only run the dishwasher and washing machine with a full load
- Conduct a home leak test to check for large or several small leaks; for example, a leaking toilet can waste up to 200,000 litres of water per year but can go almost unnoticed
- Drink tap water
Making sure energy and our cities are sustainable
Over the next five years, York Regional Council has committed $14 million in energy conservation initiatives. Electrification of the transit fleet, utilizing solar energy and operating efficient buildings are some of the many ways York Region is working towards reducing its carbon footprint and reaching the goal of producing zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2051.
Construction of the Yonge North Subway Extension will allow riders to travel from Richmond Hill to downtown Toronto in just over 30 minutes. On top of that, the Yonge North Subway Extension is expected to reduce traffic congestion, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 4,800 tons per year.
What you can do
- Take transit, walk and cycle to get to your destination
- Turn off unused lights
- Choose local ingredients and buy fresh food at your local farmers’ market or join local food programs
- Shop your pantry, fridge, freezer before shopping, plan meals and use a grocery list
- Buy only what you need; avoid impulse/bulk purchases
- Save leftovers for another meal
- Join community tree planting events or plant native trees and plants on your property
Advancing reduce, reuse and recycle through the circular economy
In a circular economy, instead of industries, manufacturers and consumers using resources once and disposing of them, they stay in use. Product design is durable, reusable, repairable and recyclable.
The Region is working hard to further shift in a circular direction with new initiatives like a network for circular-minded businesses and community leaders and new strategies to reduce single-use items.
In 2021, York Region achieved 92% waste diversion from landfill, which includes all tonnes collected through curbside and depot diversion programs and tonnes managed through energy from waste.
We also have a pilot program called “Making Old Asphalt New Again”. This program was designed to reduce costs and lessen the environmental impact of our road projects. Since 2016, this asphalt recycling program has saved the Region $1.8 million and diverted over 112,000 tonnes of asphalt from landfill.
What you can do
- Enter the item you no longer need or select a category and Bindicator will find the best options for where it should go
- Empty and scrape food from containers before putting them in the blue box
- Take batteries, cell phones and hazardous materials to a waste depot
- Use a reusable water bottle or mug for beverages and a reusable bag when shopping; pack reusable cutlery and straws for eating food on the go
- Say no to disposable cutlery, napkins and straws when ordering takeout to bring home
- Look for bulk stores or refilleries (stores that offer refill stations for products like soap or household cleaners) that allow customers to bring and fill reusable containers
- Tell your favourite stores and restaurants to offer reusable options and less single-use packaging
Continuing the conversation
Looking to continue the conversation about investing in our planet? So are we! Connect with us for helpful information to protect your health from climate-related issues and find more ways to celebrate Earth Day, every day.
What you can do
- Stay informed by following York Region on social media
- Share everyday things you do that help invest in our planet with family, friends or businesses that matter to you
- Be prepared for future events like flooding, ice storms, or other events that can impact your home or lead to power outages in your neighbourhood; check out York Region’s Emergency Preparedness Guide to help be more prepared
- Do your part for the environment and try some tips in this story to help you get started!
