Sustainable Pickering

Bulletin Board for Sustainable Pickering Ideas

The following comments and ideas have been submitted through our website. To add your comments or ideas, please review the posting guidelines, before proceeding to the form.


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Environment	Society	Economy	Consumption	Development	Other

Healthy Environment

Tanya November 30, 2006	Pesticides are very harmful! Ban the cosmetic use of pesticide, like some communities in Canada already did. Pesticides are poison, it gives asthma, allergy and general poisoning to humans and it harms and kills animals too. Some children cannot breath because people want their grass to look perfect. There are other better alternatives to poison on your lawn. The poisonous smell in the warm months spoils quality of life. Also power lawn mowers produce heavy choking smoke, especially in smoggy days. Why not encourage the use of mechanical or at least electrical mowers? When you can't breath, nothing else matters.
David November 28, 2006	I would like to see a recycling program implemented in the operations yard, as I have pick garbage that has been separated for recycling but all goes in one bin in yard. I would also like to see a place to take tires, old oil, old paint cans and stuff like that, so that it doesn't end up dumped on the side roads around the city. I would also like to see the city vehicles started to run on more emissions friendly fuel sources. Suggestion start using bio diesel.
Herb October 1, 2006	I would not try to change the zoning on land that the provincial government, with Pickering's agreement, has zoned as green belt for perpetuity.
Dave September 17, 2006	Protect our air - some traffic lights should be re-timed. If one car idles for 5 or 10 minutes, there is a big hullabaloo about turning the motor off, but if 5 or 10 cars each idle for an extra minute because of poorly timed traffic signals, that's apparently OK. Protect our water - stop salting the roads in winter. You wouldn't take a truckload of salt, drive it down to the foot of Liverpool Road and dump it into Lake Ontario, but having the same end result from salting the roads and having the salt reach the lake via the sewage/road drainage system seems OK. The salinity level of Lake Ontario will soon become an issue. We could also save much water by encouraging the digging of back-yard wells from which water could be used for lawn watering, car washing, etc. A strategically placed well could easily provide water for 4, 6, or more properties.
Catherine August 18, 2006	Put grass on top of malls, condos and apartment buildings. Just a little earth will provide for grass, flowers and small trees. Presently, the "heat catcher" roofs create heat and makes the air conditioners have to work harder.
Paul August 5, 2006	These are all important topics that in the long run are all being negatively affected by pollution mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels. I personally don't like the effect of cars on our environment and would love to see the use of bikes become a more popular thing weather it's just to the local store or down to the office. I try to do my part by riding a bike or walking where ever I need to go. A way we can protect our environment, is to try and raise biking awareness, that it's not just for kids and by making it easier like bike holders on buses so if you want to make it to University or work, ride your bike to the GO train or GO bus and have a way for it to be dropped off with you at the stop. I think the answer to pollution is a community thing and simply we just need to stop being so dependent on cars.
Colleen August 1, 2006	Buy smaller cars. I would love to see the City of Pickering provide more bike lanes to encourage people to use alternative transportation. All major roads, Finch, Dixie, Valley Farm, Sheppard, Whites, could be modified to make room for bikes, roller bladers, etc.
SJ July 27, 2006	Unfortunately GO is expensive and not convenient during non-peak hours, plus too time consuming from point A to B for us. However, we do not use pesticides on our grass, we have been composting since we moved to Pickering and we have adopted the green bin. Perhaps the stores should be using these composting bags instead of the plastic bags when you shop for groceries, household items, etc.
Ron July 27, 2006	Since we are using biodegradable bags for our green bins, supermarkets or any retail outlet should be using these for their shopping bags. These should be a requirement to do business in Pickering for all supermarkets and box stores.
Michelle July 21, 2006	Start a green rooftop program, make cheap rain barrels available to conserve water and ban the use of pesticides for cosmetic use on all property in Pickering, place a ban on the use of Nitro-sorb.
Kyle July 20, 2006	To help protect our natural environment I would do an assertion of tasks. For one I would try to commute everywhere ether by bike or walking thus lessening congestion on the roads. I do on occasions pick up litter and a variety of other harmful materials that would harm wild life in the City of Pickering. In my house I have a recycling bin so if I have any papers or plastic I do not have to toss them into the trash.
Nancy July 20, 2006	Some of the things I do to protect the environment include not littering, not purchasing over packaged items, not idling the car, not using drive through for fast food/coffee, participating in community clean up days, cycling to the library with children instead of driving.
Richard July 19, 2006	Save the water that comes from the pipe before the hot water starts to flow and use to water plants. Use backyard compost, programmable thermostat.
Smita July 19, 2006	Try not to pollute the environment, this could be reducing waste.
Lori & Sarah July 18, 2006	Keep a basin or bucket in your kitchen sink so after you wash hands, fruits, vegetables etc., the water can used to water your garden.
Daniel July 17, 2006	I am 17. I was able to get my G1 to drive last year and would have my G2 by now. I chose not to apply and to walk and bike to my chosen destination. I walk to school every day and home after. It is over 2 miles to + another 2 miles home. I also compost all fruit I eat so they can grow and we keep our garden pesticide free. I was taught never to litter and when I see garbage I like to pick it up if a garbage can is near by and I try to influence my friends to be the same way.
Celia July 14, 2006	Discourage nuclear power generation. Encourage wind power, solar power as safe, sustainable and environmentally wiser choices. Each home should have a windmill to generate power for their own consumption and/or feed the 'grid', much like each home used to have a television reception tower. Fields of windmills should be built on the 'airport' lands. We don't need more airplanes, we need more power, if more homes are going to be built in Seaton we have to provide electricity for those homeowners.
Cathy July 8, 2006	Shut down coal fired plants, use ethanol instead of gas, better water filtration plants.
Dale July 4, 2006	To protect our environment, we have to separate waste garbage. We do separate food waste, regular waste, and plastic products. Also, we should set up depot shops to payback deposits to people for things like cans, bottles, and plastic products as the other province do (Alberta).
Teresa June 27, 2006	I would do just about anything within my (and my family's) means. I already buy organic and natural foods. If we had access to sustainable communities I would sell my house and move there right now. People need AFFORDABLE options to make a change NOW. Not later.
Jo-Anne June 27, 2006	Make green roofs mandatory for all business buildings. Whatever square footage of greenspace lost per each building can be replaced on the top of the building. Provide incentives for industry to comply i.e., advertising in Pickering communications, tax break considerations etc.
Nick June 25, 2006	I recycle blue box materials and will begin the compost program for July startup. Our family of 4 has one car. My wife takes Durham Transit to work and kids cycle. Our family participates in shoreline cleanup and we pick up litter when encountered.
Kevin June 22, 2006	Post more "do not litter" signs at the west shore beach, as I am always picking up trash whenever I go for a bike ride there. Put some recyclable waste bins at the beach as there is always cans and plastic water bottles littered about. (kind of like the bins they have in Toronto with the separate glass, cans and plastic bottles)
Marlene June 21, 2006	Why not go a step further and include in the green bins all vacuum cleaner dust, either central or floor? Why not give options for disposing of plastic shopping bags? Used kitty litter would be a huge savings for our household. Why not include it as it is mostly clay?
Kelly June 19, 2006	I don't drive a car, I use public transit in order to not contribute to air pollution, I use eco brand detergents so as not to put harmful chemicals into the water system, I don't feed wild animals.
Matthew June 19, 2006	Stop using pesticides and herbicides on grass and gardens.
Andrzej June 17, 2006	Encourage more frequent use of bicycles instead of cars: separate a bicycle line on the roads, arrange bicycle parking lots at public areas, allow cycling on sidewalk with a rule that a cyclist must give way to walkers and slow down or even stop while meeting them.
Lionel June 15, 2006	I would daylight the creek leading from the Pickering mall to the Hydro marsh. Doing this will provide the opportunity to develop flood storage along the drainage basin (by way of ponds and channel storage) and reduce the damage to houses along the exposed creek. In addition the daylighted creek will provide flora and fauna habitat.
Sandra June 15, 2006	With regards to the Weekly Collection of Waste at the Street, I locate my waste at the end of my driveway and about 6 feet away from my neighbors waste. This way the Waste Collection men only have to stop ONCE to pick up TWO residences waste, at one time, rather than having to make two separate stops. This cuts down on the gas consumption, air pollution, workmen’s time, and the overall wear and tear on the Men and Trucks themselves. I think the economical costs particularly, would see a great reduction in gas usage, which is a concern these days. We would have healthier air to breathe, due to the fact that with each acceleration higher amounts of pollutants are put into the environment. Ultimately, we would have a Healthier Environment, Healthier Society, Save Costs, and be practicing Responsible Measures.
Mary June 15, 2006	Turn off the computers when not using them instead of leaving them continuously running. You Will Be Very Surprised At The Energy Savings In Dollars On Your Bill. Plus You Will Be Conserving So All Will Have It When Needed. The Young People Love To Leave Them Running.
Christine June 14, 2006	We will use our green box / blue box to its fullest potential. As we continue to use and find ways of recycling it starts to become automatic and becomes part of our daily lives. The kids will grow up only knowing this type of garbage/waste management. Therefore, as we educate and habit our children on recycling they will save the world for us!
Pat June 14, 2006	Only use car when absolutely necessary. Plan errands to minimize travel. Plant only drought tolerant plants. Remove grass and plant native species of plants. Only water plants with 1 inch of water per week. Open the windows on cool days and cover the windows on sunny days to minimize the need for air conditioning.
Agnel June 14, 2006	Ensure dumping of any kinds near the lake is forbidden - show when this is violated the danger it causes to you and your family. Owners of pets should always carry the bags to pick up the waste of their pets.
George June 13, 2006	Education, education, education. People need to understand the real cost of items like water are not what they pay but the total cost including replacing infrastructure.
Frank June 13, 2006	I would like to know what happened to the Toxic Taxi service that in my opinion gave excellent service in getting dangerous products from households. The fact that so many vehicles are driving to the disposal centres makes me wonder how much wasted fuel, pollution of the air this program is causing. Perhaps we are penny wise and pound foolish.
Dean June 13, 2006	1. Do not idle my car more than 30 sec.'s before leaving for work. 2. Park my car in the garage every weekend with no usage. 3. Planted approx. 220 cedar trees along both sides of my property, 8 Colorado Blue spruce, huge black walnut, several fruit trees & a large Red Maple in the front yard that produces enough oxygen for a family of four. 4. I have a composter in my backyard. 5. I try not to use herbicides/pesticides, instead I use Safer's insecticidal soap.
Amy June 13, 2006	The lands of north Pickering are slated for an airport. I think it would protect the environment more if we created a wind turbine farm on those lands. In Alberta, 38 turbines generates enough energy for 29,000 homes!
Joyce June 13, 2006	The City should adopt a By-Law for littering. Any resident seen littering should be fined and all companies should be responsible for litter on their property.
Sharon June 13, 2006	I use environment friendly cleaning products-don't use pesticides ever. I would like to eventually get rid of my lawns and replace with decorative stone and planters as to not waste water.

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Healthy Society

Tanya November 30, 2006	Encourage people to listen to each other better, explore different cultures, I mean take the best philosophies and points of view from different cultures and use them. Example: in my child's school kids sit on the cold floor inside or ground outside. In many cultures that is terrible, children sit only on warm floors or a warm mat. A cold floor is harmful to your health. Encourage learning about the spiritual teachings of different cultures. When we learn about differences in spiritual teachings, we might find more similarities, like loving kindness.
Catherine August 18, 2006	Ban pesticide use! My daughter works in a vets office and sees an alarming amount of cancers in dogs. Also, have "love a bug" day for kids. Embrace all of the critters big and small.
Myles August 6, 2006	One of the simplest and most effective ways to foster healthier communities (and subsequently a healthier environment/economy) is through food. Schools, hospitals, businesses, and residents can create community gardens and renew relationships with local farms. People not only eat better, but develop actual links to their local communities, cultural histories, and landscapes.
Paul August 5, 2006	A lot of these issues should be introduced to youth so that it sticks with the people of the future. I think that what I learned in school and what I should have learned are two very different things. Gym class for example was just learning sports when it should have been healthy eating habits, and healthy exercise. If we can get the ideals of the community into youth there's no telling how great are future can be.
SJ July 27, 2006	Make sure we have enough, good caring teachers (parents connected) who take the time and show patience in teaching good habits to the children and who keep an eye on those who may need stabilizing. Maybe the old method of neighbourhood watch would bring problem kids to attention (parents should be diligent). Health and well-being should be broadcast to families over the "interesting programs" on TV, as well as community events where children might be aware and participate and stay out of trouble. Police should also be more vigalent in watching out where possible - and there should be an interaction with people. The children and parents need to respect the school system and the schools need to be caring and responsible.
Ron July 27, 2006	Organize learn to run, walk, bike, taichi and aerobics as a pay as you join the lessons but can join regular practices for free. More bike routes and bike lanes around Pickering.
Michelle July 21, 2006	Encourage businesses to train young people in trades and business, especially ones that are at risk for failure in school.
Kyle July 20, 2006	We, as a community could promote life-long learning by encouraging children, teens, and adults to continue to learn new and fascinating information. There could be session in the Pickering library were an expert in a certain field would come in and teach his/her peers about his career whether it be biology, physics, chemistry etc.. . As for Community safety, parents are the first and most powerful line of defense against their child becoming reckless and violent, so to teach parents how to deal with a misbehaved child would be a good solution to the problem. This way the community will see a decrease in violence over a period of time. To keep our communities close knit we need to have events that everyone can participate in such fairs and concerts, this way everyone will get to know each other.
Nancy July 20, 2006	People should consider the consequences of everything they do. Always pick up after yourself - teach children to be responsible and helpful. Don't stand idly by when it's obvious someone needs help. Reach out. Get involved. Volunteer. New communities need more gathering places for young and old, indoors and outdoors. People need to be motivated to socialize and exercise.
Richard July 19, 2006	Emphasize and teach in schools from kindergarten.
Smita July 19, 2006	We could set an example, never say "my neighbour is not using correct waste disposal methods, why should I be the first", set the example.
Daniel July 17, 2006	The only way that we, as a community, will understand what this can do to our health is if we see for ourselves how bad it can be. We need to show a demonstration or a model/machine, and have artificial parts showing how this affects our health with poor environment as well as the health of the planet. We only have one planet and we must take care of it and treat it as it should be.
Cathy July 8, 2006	Teach children from a young age to respect our earth and the government has to actually do what they promise. It's big business that is the main polluter and they need to be made to be more responsible for their pollution.
Dale July 4, 2006	To promote our life, we have to take care of our community with a possessive, positive mind like thinking it's our property.
Teresa June 27, 2006	Ongoing aggressive Advertising and marketing and teachings in schools.
Jo-Anne June 27, 2006	I would love to see the return of street festivals/parties. The City of Pickering could put together a 'party package' for a minimal cost. The package could promote healthy living, food drive offerings, party instructions, web site tools etc. Connect with neighbours!
Lisa June 25, 2006	You would be surprised how much paper is wasted on receipts. Only print receipts when asked for, as many young people just throw them away. Also, for credit cards, use signing pads that they have on self-checkout machines.
Nick June 25, 2006	I believe parents strongly influence the values and beliefs that our children will eventually profess. We must model proper lifestyle choices. My children are very active and positive contributors to our community because my wife and I model this behaviour. This is when life-long learning and positive behaviours begin. Being visible and caring about the safety of your neighbours nurtures community spirit and wellness. Getting kids to talk, play, and generally interact in a positive fashion will allow a community to grow positively and minimize emigration.
Kevin June 22, 2006	Organize clean ups for places where there may be a lot of littering and rewards for those who participate.
Matthew June 19, 2006	Establish video signage at large gathering places in the city such as the Pickering Town Centre.
Mary June 15, 2006	Talk To Others You Meet. Connect! Post Neighbourhood Watch Signs. Patrol the Greenbelt Hydro Field Areas for Abuse and Vandalism Unannounced And On Weekends. This Might Help In The Monitoring Of Young People And Drugs/Beer In The Area.
Pat June 14, 2006	Encourage neighbourhood watch committees and broaden their scope to include environmental concerns. Promote the conservation message at a neighbourhood level.
Angel June 14, 2006	Quarterly sessions at the library - something in the evening. Short and light snacks - Film on health and well-being and community safety connectedness. Also talks by eligible persons.
George June 13, 2006	We are a small community, create a viral one by one initiative. Encourage people to be mentors.
Dean June 13, 2006	The community definitely needs to be educated in understanding the meaning of the Three R's, Reduce, Recycle & Re-use. In the 25 years I have lived in Pickering I have taught all my neighbors how to compost. They are actually getting use to it.
Amy June 13, 2006	Offer small incentives to attend courses related to improving health and well-being or offer reduced rate courses that teach people how to live a better lifestyle.
Sharon June 13, 2006	More community social events promoting laughter, fun & sharing of cultural foods & customs. Get to know your neighbours well enough to have reciprocal arrangements to watch each others house when away. Have a venue where districts can hold massive yard sales on a monthly basis. One man's toss out is another man's treasure. A percentage of sales go back into the community and used by the community voted choice.

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Healthy Economy

Tanya November 30, 2006	Look into people's abilities rather than who they know. It is very difficult to find a job unless you know someone.
Catherine August 18, 2006	Encourage businesses to show off their uniqueness. Encourage employees to sometimes wear ethnic outfits. Embrace differences.
Paul August 5, 2006	For the longest time as a teenager looking for a job opportunity, I didn't know where too start. Places like the YMCA seemed a little scary to approach and getting into the real world is a hard thing to do. To promote job opportunities, retention and attraction of business and other things, we as a community should make it easier for our youth to gain access to jobs. The most helpful thing to me was career fairs where it's not just you but many other young persons looking for jobs which makes it easier. I suggest that community career fairs would be a great idea to promote these ideals.
SJ July 27, 2006	First and foremost, transportation needs to be expanded. We do not have any specialists in Pickering. The Pickering hospital needs to be more able to cater to us as well. Shouldn't have to go to Toronto for special needs. We need more stores in the area like Home Depot, Leons, Home Hardware, and individual business should be encouraged. We should start our own research centres where children get to learn different trades and people can stay and work in Pickering instead of going to Toronto - save on fuel emissions.
Ron July 27, 2006	Promote and patronize the local business. Have a list of services or products that are not available in Pickering. I'm sure there are a lot of entrepreneurs but they do not know what service or products to market. Have a "blackboard" where people can write what kind of service or product they are looking for.
Michelle July 21, 2006	Give tax breaks to sustainable businesses that locate in Pickering such as ones that deal in cloth diapers, organic produce, solar power, metal roofing and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Kyle July 19, 2006	In order to promote economic diversity and job opportunities, we need to prove that we have a capable work force that is both young, enthusiastic and intelligent. We need to demonstrate that we are very much capable of providing a world-class work force and that Pickering much like other cities, is a healthy and prosperous city with a lot on the table.
Richard July 19, 2006	Give business a tax break to relocate or establish and when they make a profit then apply tax.
Smita July 19, 2006	By saving money being utilized for waste disposal, we can upgrade our communications system, which could help people to work in other municipalities in the GTA, fund on the job training/co-ops for people trying to enter the workforce. This way we will be able to retain and develop Durham.
Daniel July 17, 2006	As a community, we must expand our job opportunities and by far try and give as many as possible to our youth. Teach them a lesson on hard work so they are prepared for life. We must also have a larger business community and try to sell some free land and buildings to larger well known companies so that job opportunities arise. That would be a plus to having an airport in our city as well since many will be employed and be able to make a decent living. We must attract larger medias, and by that it will grow. That will turn our small little city into something worthy to be spoken about comparing to Toronto and Ottawa.
Dale July 4, 2006	We need meetings in each community and each town. If it is possible, we have to make regular meetings on a certain day and share the community's problems, discuss community improvement, etc.
Teresa June 27, 2006	Encourage large companies to either open offices in sustainable communities or close to rural neighbourhoods. Also encourage businesses to allow employees to work from home part or full-time to promote urbanism and help reduce green house gases and emmissions.
Jo-Anne June 27, 2006	We need more businesses in Pickering. Promote green savy businesses to come to an environmentally conscious city. We have a city full of people who are eager to live and work locally if the opportunities were here. Who wants to commute hours and pollute to boot? If businesses were smart they'd move out of the city, cheaper costs with willing, happy employees.
Nick June 25, 2006	I have found that Durham transit routes make it very difficult for students and adults to work outside of their immediate district. The price for GO services should be much cheaper for students to allow them to afford to travel and minimize the use of cars. We must encourage businesses and employees to realize that it is much easier to travel eastward in the morning and westward in the evening which minimizes travel time and stress. There must be a reason why areas such as Woodbridge draw so much more businesses than Durham. Duplicate what they promote and hopefully businesses will follow. Durham is still envisioned by Torontonians as an extension of Scarborough East and all problems that occur or have occurred in TO east will follow into Durham. White collar businesses will draw white collar families which usually encourage academic excellence. Once Durham schools excel in education, they will tap into a broader racial diversity that exists in other areas of TO.
Kelly June 19, 2006	Health: Promote organic food as not only a healthy choice for humans but as an agriculturally beneficial way of producing food.
Matthew June 19, 2006	Promote our industrial zones by offering tax incentives to firms employing over 50 full time positions.
Lionel June 14, 2006	It is important to build a compact, diversified urban environment with good transportation connections and services. Being in the GTA area, it is necessary to find specialized business and tourist attractors for our community to compete in the GTA market place.
Pat June 14, 2006	Better transportation systems to business centres.
Agnel June 14, 2006	Educate the community by holding session at convenient places and times - above all to promote the event in a big way to attract the young especially, and all.
Dean June 13, 2006	Hire students to help clean-up along our city streets & ditches. A clean community will attract new business.
Amy June 13, 2006	Offer businesses a "green credit" if they are environmentally aware and are conducting business in a positive manner towards the environment.
Sharon June 13, 2006	Demographic survey of community needs and wants. More accessible public transportation. It is next to impossible for non drivers to travel within the city. Infrequent public transportation schedules, incongruent transfer points-non user friendly

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Responsible Consumption

Tanya November 30, 2006	To show people that everything is connected, nothing is separate. David Suzuki, for example, has a lot done in this area.
Dave September 17, 2006	To reduce the waste we produce, the first thing I would tackle is the problem of stopping the receipt of unwanted junk mail. This should also include developing a way to turn off other unwanted paper as well, such as newspapers, while a family is away on summer vacation, for example. In the absence of finding a way to do this, I think the City should consider implementation of an advertising or junk mail tax which the originators would have to pay if they want to clutter our door handles and mailboxes with unwanted paper. At least that would help defray the costs of dealing with it. I think back-yard incineration should also be looked at as an option for dealing with some waste.
Catherine August 18, 2006	Change your routine when using home utilities. Encourage rebates for sustainable homes. Check www.canadiantire-power.ca for information on solar power in the summer wind in the winter, tankless water heaters. Corn cobs and other bio-mass can be easily burned to make energy. Presently agricultural groups are encouraging the use of bio-mass.
Paul August 5, 2006	As far as wasteful habits towards food and water, it sometimes seems like I am not wasting anything because I am around people who are all doing these things. Sometimes it helps to know that we should shut off the tap while brushing or recycle certain things that seem like trash. If it could become more apparant to me and others what are the proper methods of minimizing our water, energy, food usage it would be nice if there was a way to find out proper methods of this either through television or maybe a health course in school. This is becoming such a big issue I'm sure if everyone knew the proper methods we would all give it a shot.
Colleen August 1, 2006	Promote buying in bulk or large containers, instead of many smaller containers. Encourage the purchasing of products that are not OVER PACKAGED. Also send the message to the companies that do the over packaging. Encourage the packaging of products in organic or compostable materials.
SJ July 27, 2006	The Government should give incentives to residents to install low energy use devices etc, eg: toilets, water heaters, (shower heads and faucets was a good idea). Toronto has something going on. Energy star appliances should be brought to people's attention. We have replaced our incandescent light bulbs with the new generation light bulbs. Turn off air conditioners at night time when the outside breeze can keep you cool. Adjust thermostats so less energy is used.
Maryanne July 24, 2006	It has always been about consumer choices for my household. People seem to be in such a hurry these days and are always looking for convenience when making purchases. Even reusable containers have become disposable (ie: Gladware was developed so that it doesn't matter if a child forgot to bring it home). Refusing to purchase items with excess packaging like in "the good old days". This was only 10 years ago when this was taught in schools and was part of the curriculum. It is such an important "value" for children to develop not to mention a part of stewardship. What do we do?? We DO make food purchase selections based on packaging. We DO turn unnecessary lights off. We Do turn down the thermostat (or up in the winter) and use fans. We DO use our rain barrel for watering our plants. We DO compost our kitchen waste and put the compost back into our gardens. We have begun using our green bin for milk products and meat waste. We DO bring home recyclables when we are somewhere that does not have a blue box. We are very proud that we often have very little to put out on garbage collection day. Thanks Durham Region for promoting these values, providing materials to easily implement them and for looking into an increasing problem of excessiveness and waste in our community.
Michelle July 21, 2006	Expand the recycling program further to include styrofoam, ban plastic bags and charge a deposit for canvass bags which can be reused, do the same for cans and bottles.
Kyle July 20, 2006	To minimize energy usage I could buy "energy" rated appliances and cut back on the heating / air conditioning in the summer and winter. To minimize water usage we could limit our showers to 5 minutes.
Nancy July 20, 2006	With respect to water consumption, be aware of how much water runs straight down the drain in your house, and capture it whenever possible for other uses. For instance, when gardening, I keep a bucket in the laundry tub so that when I rinse my hands the water is contained. When the bucket is full, I use it to water the plants (it doesn't take long to become full). In the kitchen, I keep a basin in the sink while rinsing food - when it's full, I water the plants outside or add the water to the rain barrel for future use. In the shower, I place a bucket under the tap until the water starts running warm. This gives me half a bucket of water in advance of each shower to use on plants or add to the rain barrel. For energy consumption, I don't leave the air conditioner on when the house is empty, and only use it when humidity is high. Keep windows and blinds closed during the day to keep out extreme heat. When it's too hot inside - go to the beach. Our home computer, printer, etc. are plugged in to a power bar. When not in use, everything is off with just one switch. We turn off TV, lights, everything, when not in use. Run the dishwasher on time delay so it runs after midnight when energy consumption is not at peak.
Richard July 19, 2006	Have a waste plant that burns our garbage, tires etc. and use energy produced to generate electricity. Used in Europe for a long time just copy their successful process.
Smita July 19, 2006	The first thing one can do is DON'T WASTE be it food, energy, water. We so easily say, "I don't want to waste my energy doing unproductive tasks" but we do not apply the same idea, to save hydro, gas, food, or save on the volume of waste we produce. Together we should say "we will not waste".
Daniel July 17, 2006	Lights are at a minimum in the daytime as sunlight provides you with plenty of light to see everything needed. As well, you must get outside of the house so it distracts you from the energy crisis. The more people outside walking or playing sports or whatever it may be, the less energy being used on televisions or computers. As a city we must start free leagues for kids, free sports leagues or free activities to attract the children as they are the major consumers of energy and they do not know much about what they are doing to our supplies. The food I eat is organic as it is the best way. Pesticides ruin our economy and pollute our waters, forests and air not to mention our bodies. When sprayed they are drifted through the air and can get to many people.
Maureen July 14, 2006	With the new green bin program and weekly recycling it would be helpful if attractive containers could be created to make it easy to sort and recycle. I would suggest small containers that would hold the recyclable bags to put in the washrooms and bedrooms beside wastepaper baskets in order to collect Kleenex and paper towels etc. that are more often thrown out in these areas. An attractive wastepaper basket with two sections might work as well. I would like to see some smaller, attractive, separate or multi part containers developed to collect plastic/cans and paper that could be emptied daily into the big blue box kept elsewhere just as we empty the smaller container in the kitchen to the larger green bin daily. I have a difficult time determining what plastic items are recyclable. If they have the recycle symbol on then then no problem, however, things like Dairy Queen plastic sunday containers, clear hard plastic that is used in packaging, Swiss Chalet plastic containers etc. are a few items I'm just not sure about. What I would like to see on the waste management Pickering site is a question place to ask about specific items not already mentioned on the site and then an answer to these questions about recycling that everyone could see (FAQ). Then perhaps quarterly a master list could be compiled from the e-mail inquiries that could be posted on the site. Often if I am not sure if something is recyclable the item goes in the garbage instead of in the recycling bin. The easier we make sorting and storing the more people will participate in the program.
Celia July 14, 2006	Developers must install backyard laundry lines in all new development. City to revoke old bylaw prohibiting laundry lines in backyards and encourage existing home dwellers to install a line in their yard. Stop the 'Big Pipe' de-watering of the aquifiers. Encourage all food outlets and grocery stores to purchase locally grown produce first before seeking produce suppliers from outside the immediate radius. Encourage organic farming. Add recycling of all plastics, wrap and styrofoam to waste management. As scientific tests are showing plastics in contact with food as a cause of cancers, reduce use of plastics for drinks, food containers and implement a plan to encourage use of glass containers where possible. Too much plastic is in use thus ending up as waste.
Cathy July 8, 2006	Better transportation into the city, connections between TTC and Durham Transit. Better schedules for Durham Transit. This would mean less cars on the road.
Rick July 7, 2006	Instead of using a dryer to dry your clothes, consider hanging them to dry in the basement. This would save considerably on energy.
Shirley July 3, 2006	For years we have composted in our back yard. Recently we purchased an energy efficient air conditioner and furnace. We have also replaced our windows as they no longer closed properly.
Amanda July 3, 2006	Today's advertising constantly promotes disposable products, temporary usage... buy more, newer, bigger. It is up to us, the consumers, to make intelligent choices for ourselves, to consume what we NEED, rather than what the media says we should buy. A lot of the ideas are "old school" but still work just as well...old T shirts for dusters instead buying the disposable variety, terry-cloth diapers, regular toilet brushes without the disposable heads, recycling of rain water for use in the garden, composting, buying second hand if possible. Save your money. It pays not to buy into the "disposable" mentality.
Teresa June 27, 2006	We use organic and natural foods in our home. We use the compost green bins which I think is great. We should have had them years ago! We recycle everything we use. I wash my clothes in cold water only. I turn off my air conditioner when we are not home and on days when the heat is bearable. We use ceiling fans instead.
Jo-Anne June 27, 2006	Turn off as much as I can. Invest in solar panelling even if just for a shed or garage. Turn to the new University of Ontario to find new ways to convert our garbage into energy.
Nick June 25, 2006	I model basic things like turning off lights not necessary, have replaced appliances with energy efficient ones such as fridge, W/D, A/C, water in the evenings to encourage deep root growth and stop watering if it looks like its pointless in extremely hot summers allowing the grass to hibernate, survive, and return in the fall. Waste limits must be mandated and families encouraged to recycle. Most people are resistant to change until they are forced to change for some reason, usually financial. Perhaps have a rebate energy program for homes that clearly show less energy use than other residences in their vicinity- I find that rewards are effective for change.
Kevin June 22, 2006	The new green bins are a really good idea but I think there should be another recycle bin added for such things as metals, woods, batteries, used motor oil, computer parts, old cellphones etc... a lot of people do not know what to do with these when they discard them and just throw it in with the regular trash.
Kelly June 19, 2006	I recycle everything possible, use energy efficient bulbs, fabric bags for shopping, buy recycled toilet paper and paper towels, do not use air conditioning.
Matthew June 19, 2006	Offer incentives for home owners and industry to up grade to energy saving appliances by way of discounts for products. Aggressively continue the program to add water saving shower heads and toilet water savers. Through the libraries and rec centres provide nutritionists to promote better food concepts. Encourage merchants and industry to actively reduce packaging materials.
Maurice June 19, 2006	The municipality should stop asking people to rinse containers before recycling. It would save a lot of precious water.
Lynn June 14, 2006	As a member of The Glendale Tennis Club, I initiated recycling of waste at our courts last summer (2005). We presently have 3 large blue boxes to collect a myriad of empty water, juice, and beverage containers, not to mention tennis ball containers and their aluminum lids. The boxes are always full to overflowing, a definite sign that members are conscientiously doing their part to "reduce, reuse and recycle". Other visiting tennis clubs have remarked on the fact that our club recycles and have said "what a great idea" it was. During the hot summer months, countless bottles of water and other beverages are consumed at parks all around the city. Garbage bins are full of these items which ultimately end up in landfill....WHAT A SHAME !!! I would propose a programme that would help to end waste in our parks and playgrounds. If a "bluebox" recycling bin is not practical, then signs placed by garbage bins encouraging residents to bring their empties home to discard in their own blue boxes would be a less costly alternative. We've had recycling in Pickering long enough that people are used to it, and that it's just something we "do". From my experience at The Glendale Tennis Club, our blue box programme has been an undeniable success, and I would hope other clubs and sport teams would be encouraged to participate in keeping Pickering's landfill-bound waste free of recyclable materials.
Pat June 14, 2006	Educate/Educate/Educate. Start the message in the schools. The kids will bring the message home and encourage the parents involvement. Provide some form of monetary incentives for conservation.
Agnel June 14, 2006	Find a way to have everything switched off when you lock the door of the house when leaving for the day - of course with the exception of the fridge. Education in different ways, either through short movies - scripts - make it as interesting as possible to get ones attention.
George June 13, 2006	On energy front governments working collectively (for economy sake) encourage (subsidize) shift to alternate energy forms for users that can save the most. Driving the entry cost down ie cost between hybrid vs gas cars for those that drive the most will increase volume of hybrids and therefore lower cost.
Dean June 13, 2006	1. I replaced all my incandescent bulbs with energy saving bulbs. 2. Turn down my thermostat, try not using air conditioner. 2. Installed low flow shower head and taps. 3. Buy foods you like and are going to eat, not to waste it in the garbage.
Amy June 13, 2006	Durham should create a carpool website where residents can locate a person in their own community with whom a ride can be shared. I currently carpool with someone from Markham and we drive together from Pickering to Whitby almost every day. (Check out www.carpoolworld.com or www.eRideShare.com)
Joyce June 13, 2006	Encourage the public to give furniture, clothes, computers etc. to local charities instead of putting it curbside for garbage pick up. There are many individuals out there that could re-use these items. Could fine residents for putting these items out with the garbage. (Check out the Materials Exchange page of City website)
Sharon June 13, 2006	Lights on only in area where needed, air-con only when necessary-set low don't run appliances during peak hours-designate 1 family toilet for urine only-flush once or twice daily-use water saving plumbing fixtures-eat more fresh foods, avoid packaged convenience foods as much as possible-reduce the size lawns to save watering
Trish June 13, 2006	A while ago I heard of a program currently being used in Europe and Scandanavia where all garbage was cleanly burned (no air pollution) and a by-product was created from the ashes of the garbage in the form of patio pavers. I understand that the original input of monies to start such a program are high, however the long term benefits are huge. No more landfill sites, no more building of residential homes on previous landfill sites and no growing of crops in soil that has been compromised and depleted, not to mention clean air and a solution to the ever growing garbage problem. We need to step up to the plate now if we are to insure a healthier future for our children and future generations. If we were to invest in a Sustainable Pickering by offering garbage disposal in this manner, we would also be insuring future growth, and a self sufficient energy program with saleable by-products and monies circulating back into the recycling process through the sale of these by-products.! Steam harnessed to create energy through the burning of garbage would also work towards Pickering becoming more self sufficient. Also, if burning more garbage from other municipalities was more cost effective and didn't burden our own municipality program, then could we not harness more energy, enough to say sell it back to other municipalities, while also charging them for taking their garbage in the first place (helping towards payment of the system) again making Pickering a more self sufficient City.

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Responsible Development

Tanya November 30, 2006	Safety of Nuclear Plant should be #1.
Catherine August 18, 2006	Make bigger, safer routes for bikes and walkers. There should be different routes from A to B that are completely away from roads. Special paths with no cars, no buses, no motorcycles.
Colleen August 1, 2006	Buildings: Investigate and promote the use of "living" roofs. Encourage building materials that are environmentally friendly. Community: More parks that encourage teens to use them not abuse them. Transportation: Again the use of more bike lanes to promote alternatives to cars.
SJ July 27, 2006	I don't think we need high rises like TO. Actually I like Pickering because it is nice and open and less polluted. Low-rise condo or apartments would be fine. Some nice architecture would be great where scientific research could be taught and crime could be solved.
Maryanne July 24, 2006	What a wake up call we all had during the "black out" a couple of summers ago. Wouldn't it be fantastic if all buildings participated in voluntary "blac