Waterloo Region's newsletter about
waste, water and the environment
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A new three-bag garbage limit... are you ready? |
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Did you know the majority of your household waste can be sorted into one of the Region of Waterloo’s waste diversion programs? These programs include our two-bin blue box streams and green bins.
A recent garbage audit confirmed that 50 per cent of what people send to the landfill is food waste. It could have gone into their green bin!
While the Region of Waterloo’s bi-weekly garbage bag limit is changing to three bags on Oct. 17, 2022, the unlimited weekly green bin and blue box collection remains the same.
Over 88 per cent of residents are already meeting the new bag limit and taking advantage of curbside green bin and blue box collection.
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To find more information on this change and how it aligns with the Region’s strategic plan and Waste Management Master Plan (WMMP) please visit our website.
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How pool owners can protect our Region's water |
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Fall is approaching, so home owners will soon drain swimming pools, hot tubs or spas before the weather turns cold. But do you know it’s important to drain this water properly?
That’s because water from pools, hot tubs and spas contains chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, salt and algaecides that can be harmful to the environment and our drinking water.
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Anyone discharging this water has a responsibility to do so safely so it does not impact our water supply or surrounding properties. We can help you learn how to do that.
Enjoy the end of pool season knowing you’re protecting our community’s drinking water and environment.
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Preparing for climate change's health impacts |
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Extreme heat is the number one climate risk to people in Waterloo Region, both now and in the future. That’s according to the recent Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment from the Region of Waterloo and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health units.
The new assessment outlines local climate projections and explains how expected changes in climate will affect the health of our community. The report focuses on climate-related health issues, such as extreme weather and the spread of diseases like Lyme and West Nile. It also provides information on how climate change can affect some people’s health more than others, due to their social and economic conditions – what we call the “social determinants of health.”
Climate change is a defining public health challenge of the 21st century and is already impacting the health of Canadians. This report can help inform community programming, policy and planning, and support new and existing research.
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Understanding the impacts of climate change can help us better prepare to protect the health of our community and ourselves. Visit Climate Change and Health to view the report and for more information on what Region of Waterloo Public Health is doing now to prevent climate-related health issues.
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Do you know water softeners? Try our new quiz! |
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For most of us, water softeners are a “set it and forget it” device. But it’s worth looking at how you soften water. That softener hidden in the basement uses water and salt… maybe more than you realize or need.
Take the quiz!
Learn more
If you want a crash course on hard water or efficient softening, check out the Water Softener Facts website, created by the Region of Waterloo and the City of Guelph. It includes a Buyer’s Guide to efficient softeners and handy maps to check the water hardness where you live.
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If you are softening water, you’ll benefit from doing so efficiently. This can save you money AND lower your environmental impact. Salt flushed down the drain by our softeners contributes to salt pollution in our drinking water.
One way to soften smarter is to soften only your home’s hot water. The Region currently has a $50 Water Softener Plumbing Rebate for people who make the switch. Learn more here and consider if this option is right for you.
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Is your business winter-ready? |
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It is time to say that four-letter word – s-n-o-w. Winter will be here before we know it. For businesses, it is important to have your winter maintenance plan ready.
The Region of Waterloo is asking businesses to think a bit differently about winter maintenance with the help of a free worksheet.
The worksheet includes best practices to consider when completing your winter maintenance plan. This can include identifying slip and fall hazards, keeping good records in the event of a slip and fall claim, identifying where to store the plowed snow and having a plan for when the temperature is too cold for salt to work.
Start by walking the property. You can do this at any time, but a rainy day nicely reveals how water flows, pools and puddles on the property. This same water in the warmer months can turn to ice when the temperature drops.
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Less ice also means less need for salt. Over salting or salting when not required can be costly. For businesses, it can mean higher repair costs from salt damage to concrete, flooring and landscaping. For our community, salt is damaging to groundwater – our drinking water.
Salt can be part of the answer, but should never be the first or only line of defence. This is where the Region of Waterloo’s winter maintenance worksheet can help. Get started today at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/WinterPlan.
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Saving water – good for the environment & your wallet |
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Saving water has double benefits: it conserves our community’s water supply, and keeps your water bills as low as possible.
The Region of Waterloo has offered its free WET Program to help people save water since 2015. Many people can save significantly with a few simple changes, says Brendan Schaefer, a water advisor with Reep Green Solutions. He’s the friendly, knowledgeable water expert who has done about half of the WET Home Reviews since the program launched.
“It’s very rewarding,” he explains. “It’s something that has a big impact right away. There are simple solutions that can really make a huge difference for people.”
During each home visit, Schaefer inspects for common leaks, examines showerheads, toilets, water softeners and washing machines, and explains to homeowners how different behaviours impact water consumption.
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The hands-on tours give people a new perspective. “People are receptive and very appreciative,” he says. “They’re highly motivated by wanting to save money.”
No two houses are the same, but Schaefer often recommends switching to efficient showerheads and toilets, shaving a few minutes off your shower time or fixing leaky toilets.
Participating homes save an average of 80,000 litres per year, or over $400 (about 25 per cent) on their annual water bill. These changes are conserving 130 million litres of water in our community each year.
WET Reviews are free and available now to single-family homes. Compare your water bills to the chart below… how does your water use stack up? If you’re above-average, click here to learn more or request your free home review.
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How your waste diversion fights climate change |
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How does using the Region’s green bin and blue box program help fight climate change?
When you choose to divert your waste to these reuse streams, your sorting reduces the extraction of raw resources and green house gas emissions.
Recycling reduces the need to extract raw resources from our natural environment, transport these resources and limits the toxins released into the environment along the way.
When we all work together, this can have a huge impact on reducing GHGs! Did you know that it takes approximately 17 million barrels of oil to make the plastic for America’s yearly bottled water consumption? This much oil could fuel 1.3 million cars for a year!
When we recycle a water bottle, the raw oil required to manufacture the bottle is minimized or eliminated all together. Better yet, choose the zero-waste option: a refillable water bottle!
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Wondering which items can be recycled? Download and use our Waste Whiz app for complete information!
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Free teaching resources about water. Available now! |
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Back to school? We can help teach the water curriculum |
Are you an educator teaching elementary students about water? Visit our water education site for free resources on the water cycle, watersheds, groundwater, and the Region’s water and wastewater systems.
The site includes videos, downloadable colouring sheets, activities and stories for all ages.
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