Plastic Water Bottles

More and more, you are likely seeing aluminum or other reusable water bottles replace one-time-use plastic containers. Although these plastic water bottles can be recycled, only 50 per cent of them actually make it to a blue bin, leaving 65 million in landfills each year. New eco-friendly bottles come in various designs and colours, and are easy to wash.

Printed Paper

People are straying away from printed newspapers, books and magazines as it becomes more convenient and environmentally-friendly to read these items online. In fact, 22 per cent of Canadian adults read newspapers online, according to NADbank, and this number grows each year. There are also various electronic books that can be purchased as well as e-book applications downloaded to mobile phones.

Plastic Bags

According to Environment Canada, Canadians take home 55 million plastic shopping bags every week. However, since it has become almost impossible to find a retail or grocery store that will give consumers plastic bags for free anymore this number is on the decline. People are now bringing their own reusable shopping bags with them.

Old Polluting Vehicles

Driving a 1994 vehicle in the 90s may have been cool then, but considering that a 1995 model year or older vehicle emits on average 19 times more smog-forming emissions than 2004 and newer vehicles, even if it's well maintained, this is no longer the case. Luckily, the Retire Your Ride program, which runs until March 31, 2011, will help you improve your image by taking these cars off your hands and rewarding you for it.

More information is available online at www.retireyourride.ca.

www.newscanada.com