January 2026

26 January 202626 January 2026

A feathered visitor draws much attention to our backyard

Who knew that one little bird, the size of a sparrow could create such a stir. It all started this past Wednesday when we looked out our kitchen window to see a woman, carrying a camera with a lens as long as a bus, taking pictures over our backyard fence. She wasn’t a stranger. We’d chatted with her often while on our twice daily walks, always carrying her camera, ready to take pictures of birds and animals that she saw along the way. But that day was different. She seemed very excited as she waved at us. Dayle went out on the deck to ask her what she was doing. It turns out she had sighted a Spotted Towhee, scratching for food under a forsythia bush in our yard.

18 January 202618 January 2026

Be a Part of Something Big – Join the Brampton Environmental Alliance

An appeal written by BEA youth council member Srishti Rao

Do you believe in a cleaner, healthier, more environmentally sustainable Brampton?
Imagine a city where we can protect green spaces, reduce waste, promote healthier lifestyles, and work together on environmental solutions that matter?

Look no further, it’s…

10 January 20261 February 2026

Register for 2026 BEA Annual General Member Meeting

The Brampton Environmental Alliance is pleased to invite
members and guests to the
Annual General Meeting.

When: Monday March 2, 2026
6:00-8:30pm
Where: Unifor Local 1285 Hall,
1 – 23 Regan Road
Brampton ON L7A 1B2

Members will elect the 2026 BEA Board and help the Alliance determine its priorities for 2026 and beyond. The action-packed agenda will cover topics of interest including:

Monitoring Brampton’s Air Quality (impact of the Emerald expansion),
Environmental Priorities – a city of Brampton perspective
Environmental Sustainability – A Brampton business perspective
On the Campaign Trail – Making the environment an 2026 municipal election issue

We are pleased to welcome the following guest speakers:

Pam Cooper – Manager, Environmental Planning, City of Brampton
Karen Wirsig – Environmental Defence
Jaipaul Massey Singh – CEO, Brampton Board of Trade

Register to receive agenda updates
The meeting is free and open to EVERYONE whether a BEA member or not.
(Only BEA members are allowed to vote on BEA business matters).

Space is limited. Register now to reserve your seat

You will be automatically added to the list to receive agenda updates and newsletters

BECOME A MEMBER

RENEW YOUR 2026 MEMBERSHIP

5 January 20266 January 2026

Extended Producer Responsibility, What is it? Why should you care?

Have you ever noticed how much packaging surrounds the products we buy? Tiny items delivered in oversized boxes stuffed with Styrofoam or bubble wrap, slices of cheese or bread individually wrapped in plastic envelopes, fruit or vegetables bundled on plastic trays covered in plastic wrap, blister packs for tiny items, embedded on large cardboard shelf hangers, (that are virtually impossible to open), or electronics wrapped in foam, inside a box which is then wrapped in another box.

All this may be about to change in Ontario. This past Thursday, January 1st, responsibility for residential recycling in the province shifted away from municipal governments. The costs of collecting and disposing of recycled material are now borne by retailers and packaging producers under a policy approach called Extended Producer Responsibility, (EPR).