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Green is good
Wednesday July 9 2008 The Town of Halton Hills is not letting any dust settle on its Green Plan with the launch of this week’s Battery Collection Program and approval of dollars for the plan’s Implementation Strategy.
From the initial concept a year ago, Mayor Rick Bonnette said he would not allow the Green Plan to be another study that sits on the shelf. And so far it hasn’t— within six months of setting up a task force, the group of councillors, staff and community residents and businesses formulated the Green Plan with 58 recommendations following the PAREE principles— Practical, Affordable, Realistic, Enforceable and Educational. Six months later, the Town now has an action and financial plan to begin implementing these recommendations.
The rapidity of the development and implementation of the plan is almost unheard of in comparison with the usual governmental timelines. But at the urging of Halton Hills residents, the Mayor, council and department heads all bought into the “green is good” philosophy.
“We know the public has followed the Green Plan; we had lots of comment,” said Bonnette, “Now it’s time for the implementation, which is very critical to setting a carbon footprint for the future of this community.”
That begins with a $60,000 cash outlay to create an Office of Sustainability and to hire a Sustainability Co-ordinator. It’s followed up by another $150,000 next year on more green initiatives. The public will continue to play an important role, by serving on a new Town Sustainability Advisory Committee.
But right now, residents can do their part through participation in the Battery Collection Program, a waste diversion program for household batteries, including rechargeable and old cell phone batteries.
It will be likely the first of many green programs that will become part of Halton Hills residents’ everyday lives.

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