ontario's call to action

On Wednesday, Woodstock Mayor Michael Harding challenged municipal leaders across Ontario to compete in the Count Me In! Community Challenge Day at a news conference in Toronto.

Harding’s challenge has already been accepted by 19 municipalities who have each committed to reduce their overall energy consumption between 8am and 8pm on August 14, 2009, the 6th anniversary of the North American blackout.

Ontarians can pledge their commitment and to create a personalized conservation plan (and win prizes, including energy-efficient appliances and electronics). Visit countmeinontario.ca.

Ontario to tackle e-waste

It’s estimated that Canadians throw out more than 140,000 tonnes of e-waste each year and that number is only going to grow.

Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) has pitched a plan to the Minister of the Environment to apply a levy to all electronics sold in Ontario. BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia already have similar programs to divert e-waste from landfills.

"We need an incentive to make it easy and convenient for e-waste collection and disposal," says Glenda Gies, executive director of WDO. "When you buy a new TV, the store will deliver it and take your old one back to the store. They'll be paid to collect the old electronics, and a truck will come by and pick it all up for recycling."

The plan also includes partnerships with retailers and not-for-profits to offer drop-off locations and create a small revenue stream for those who do.

Full story - cbc.ca