This past Thursday, July 24th, 3 members of our BEA board, including David Laing, Aneet Sandhu & Yarim Hinojosa, gave a presentation to the Knightsbridge Association in Brampton. 

This presentation showed the benefits of proper recycling, waste management, composting and the benefits of eating more plants and how proper diversion of waste can help the region of Peel reach its waste diversion targets. 

Did you know? The Peel Region has set a target to divert 70% of all waste away from landfill by 2036. Currently it sits at 50% and diverting more green bin waste would go a long way in helping the Region achieve their target.

Aneet shared best practices for recycling and composting, as well as case studies showing how buildings are implementing their composting programs and resulting in success in reducing smell and waste diversion goals. 

Did you know?  The 1,000-ton rule states that a person is killed every time humanity burns 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide. (Pearce, Western University)

Several points of advocacy to discuss with building property managers were suggested, such as lobbying for more collection points (i.e., mini green bin stations on each floor or closer to exits) and requesting regular cleaning of disposal zones.

Aneet talked about the goals of the BEA and our work and shared online resources such as https://peelregion.ca/waste/sorter

In addition, we addressed the attendees’ common questions and concerns and shared great advice, such as the option of putting the compost bag in the fridge or freezer to reduce smell, among other tips.

In addition to recycling and composting best practices, Yarim highlighted the great benefits of eating more plants for health benefits & how it can help with waste diversion. She also talked about how the Plant Based Treaty, which is a global campaign aimed at food and climate policy change to reduce carbon and methane emissions produced at landfills and by animal agriculture industries, can help achieve the region of Peel’s targets in conjunction with eating more plant-based foods.

The Plant Based Treaty has been endorsed by 42 cities ( including Brampton and Caledon in Canada) and one country worldwide. You can endorse as an individual, group or business here.

Did you know? The majority of food system emissions come from animal agriculture.

Animal agriculture is responsible for around a third of methane emissions, so plant-based diets are critical to our future survival on this planet.

Lead reviewer for IPCC Working Group 1: Durwood Zaelke believes that cuts to methane are our best hope of limiting temperature rises over the next 20 years. 

Yarim also gave great tips on how to use and reuse all parts of vegetables, such as onions, by using parts to cook with, the base or root to regrow it ( free scallions!), and even the onion peels to create a natural fabric dye. 

David talked about the BEA, the One Planet Framework and the importance of protecting and advocating for our environment in order to ensure everyone in Brampton has the best quality of life.

The Brampton Environmental Alliance or “BEA” is a Brampton-wide network of organizations, community groups and individuals that envision Brampton growing as a sustainable community, one that is healthy and resilient environmentally, socially and economically.

The BEA believes in and supports the ONE PLANET living framework, ten simple principles that cover all aspects of social, environmental and economic sustainability in addition to endorsing the Plant Based Treaty as one of many effective tools in the city of Brampton’s toolkit to help it reach its Climate goals.

Brampton is a growing city, and environmental policy must be a priority to ensure a liveable & prosperous Brampton for all its people and nature.  

We encouraged attendees to join the BEA and be part of our initiatives and programs in making what we do and how people can get involved. In addition inspired attendees to take part and take the One Planet Framework and encouraged attendees to take the pledge. 

In addition, we had two delightful and interactive activities. The first one was a fun ( and competitive) “Waste Sorting” activity. Yarim briefed everyone in detail about the different sorting categories, and then attendees were divided into teams. Each team raced against the clock to sort waste items into their correct categories! 

and finally, the event closed with a Kale seed planting (to encourage trying the green smoothie challenge) and a flower pot painting activity using recycled aluminium cans to celebrate #Plasticfreejune!

We also distributed recipe cards and colouring pages from Plant Based for The Earth.

Our presentation aimed to inspire attendees to properly sort their waste and recycling, and to eat more plants, compost, endorse the Plant Based Treaty and the One Planet Framework to help reduce their waste, carbon footprint, improve their health, as well as help the Region of Peel achieve its goal of waste diversion earlier than the proposed date of  2036.

If you would like us to give this presentation at your event, institution, organization or to your group, please contact us!