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Local Guide to Waste-Free Shopping

November 2, 2020 No Comments

Victoria Garofalo had been working as a biologist for almost ten years but felt like something was missing in her life. What she wanted was a job where she could help create a healthier world. Victoria has two young children and was worried about their futures. The problem was how to accomplish that. “I wanted to do more to not only reduce our family’s waste footprint but help others in our community do the same,” said Garofalo.

After months of research, Garofalo set up a business that sells eco-friendly products that reduce waste by reducing consumption and packaging. Welcome to A Greener Place in Waterdown, where all products are made of organic and vegan formulations and are respectful to the environment in that they don’t include carcinogens, parabens, phosphates, or sulfates. “The products we carry are meant to last, but they also carry a responsible footprint when they reach the end of their lifespan,” said Garofalo.

Cleaning products for the home include a toilet bowl cleaner that’s made from baking soda, citric acid, and peppermint essential oil. Her products for the body include a brown sugar body scrub and clay deodorant made of coconut oil. All packaging is reusable, refillable, or locally handmade.

For those getting into zero waste, Garofalo said the concept can be a little daunting which is why she suggests people start by simply replacing a single-use product with a reusable or plastic-free option. “Thoughtful and reduced consumption is a more realistic approach to reducing your everyday waste,” advises Garofalo.

When the pandemic hit, Garofalo introduced a mason jar deposit/refund program where customers pre-fill clean mason jars with refill products and people return the empty jars which are sanitized and reused.

A Greener Space is one of a handful of zero-waste stores that have popped up recently in response to the public’s growing desire to preserve and respect the environment.

At EcoFillosophy in Bronte, the goal of co-founders, Thanh To and Renata Darling, is to encourage people to live more sustainably. They sell all-natural home and personal care products that come in packaging that can be reused, refilled, or recycled. “We aim to keep our footprint small by targeting small-batch makers from across Canada,” said To, who launched the full-service refillery shop in July.

Their products include laundry detergent, dish and hand soaps, shampoos, lotions, deodorants, toothpaste, and floss. They offer glass and aluminum jars and tins, as well as pumps and sprayers that customers can purchase or borrow. Customers can also bring their own empty, clean, and dry containers.

Since COVID-19 hit, they’ve been disinfecting all containers brought to the shop before and after filling.

While their customers range in age and backgrounds, To said their similarity is that “they are all trying to do the best for their families and the world around us.” “Some have been refilling for years and come with well-loved containers to cart their goods home,” said To.

Koby Hicks’s inspiration to open the Refillery Market came to her while she was throwing out an empty laundry detergent dispenser. “I stopped in my tracks thinking, Why can’t I simply refill this bottle and continue to use it?”

As owner/operator, Hicks said Refillery Market offers Canadian-made products that are free from harmful chemicals to protect people and the environment. They offer home essentials in bulk along with zero-waste goods like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash and lotion, detergents, cleaning vinegar, and dryer balls. Eliminating plastic waste is their end goal so they buy in bulk. Once the product has been used, they take the packaging back to sanitize and reuse.

Hicks normally sells their products at the Burlington Farmers’ Market and The Civitan Farmers Market in Oakville, but has switched since the pandemic to focus more on home delivery within the local area. Orders are now delivered in 3 sizes of mason jars, with a $2 deposit fee. Once customers are ready to refill their jars, they leave the empty ones on the doorstep on the delivery day, and they are swapped with the full ones!

Besides their love of the environment and clean-products, each of these forward-thinking establishments has another thing in common, “We’re bringing back the milkman method,” said Hicks.

Written By: Denise Davy

Local Links

A Greener Place, Waterdown
EcoFillosophy, Oakville
Refillery Market, Burlington

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Articles

Let the Games Begin!

October 27, 2020 1 Comment

Many of us have heard the same health recommendation for the past few months — as much as possible, stay home. As summer draws to a close and entertainment ideas wane, why not create a defined space to meet your family’s needs? A designated games room or entertainment area provides convenience and recreation in the comfort of your own home. From family games to home theatre and sound systems, choices and customizations are endless.

You may never want to leave the house again!

The best kind of entertainment is something that can be shared with the whole family. Games like foosball, billiards, air hockey, and darts are always a good investment, but the choice is dependent on the size of the space you have available.

Foosball is fast-paced and fun, great for adults and kids of all ages. The table also takes up far less space than a pool table or shuffleboard, and there are even smaller tabletop options that can be stored away when not in use. Air hockey tables come in a variety of sizes and are another alternative if space is limited. Darts — that popular pub classic — brings out a friendly competitive spirit and come in boards or cabinets, if you prefer the added benefit of storage.

Billiards, shuffleboard, and ping pong tables are solid and large, so the size of your games room is an important factor in whether or not one can be part of your vision. “For those with a lot of room, billiards and ping pong tables have been tremendous sellers for us,” says Jeremy Kalapacz from Oakville Home Leisure. “Billiards, ping pong, foosball, and darts, are all games your family can enjoy for many years; it really just comes down to space constrictions”.

Feel like recapturing some childhood memories? Video arcade machines bring a retro touch to any gaming area. Many of the ones built for at-home use are multi-gamed with all of your classic favourites.

Sights & Sounds

The idea of creating a cinematic experience the whole family can enjoy is appealing. “We have definitely seen an increased interest in home theatres and whole-home audio. Families still want to be able to have a night at the movies and they want it without the worry and concern of having to leave their homes,” says Sarah Love from PM WYRE in Burlington. “We also have frequent requests to improve the WIFI and internet infrastructure of family homes to support the increased demand for streaming movies, gaming, and online learning.”

While it can seem pricey upfront, upgrading movie night means more date nights in and fewer trips to an overpriced snack bar.

As the demand for home theatre and sound systems grows, take the time to do your due diligence and research which system is optimal for your home. You may want the largest TV on the market but consider the size in relation to the seating the space offers. If putting together your dream theatre and sound system seems overwhelming, speak with professionals who can gauge your needs and budget, and come up with a customized plan for your family.

Another popular option is expanding your entertainment space into the backyard. People are beginning to transform their outdoor space into a recreational option to adhere to social distancing requirements. “We have promised our clients for years the opportunity to come home, press one button, and use technology to help create a unique experience, which extends to all of the home,” remarks Robert May from Sounds Good in Oakville, “What about a summer drive-in movie experience in the backyard with your new outdoor TV?”

A designated at-home entertainment area isn’t just for the kids. It brings the family together across all generations for some healthy competition and enjoyment.

Written By: Kristen Sanchioni

Local Links

Oakville Home Leisure

https://www.oakvillehomeleisure.ca

Oakville Sight and Sound

https://www.oakvillesightandsound.ca

Sounds Good Inc.

https://www.soundsgoodinc.ca

PM Wyre

https://pmwyre.com

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Home & Garden

Burn Responsibly – How to safely enjoy a backyard blaze

July 29, 2020 No Comments

On a clear, star-filled summer’s evening, there’s nothing quite as cozy and satisfying as enjoying an outdoor blaze in your backyard’s woodburning or gas fire pit, or perhaps a chiminea. Watching the flames grow into a warm, crackling fire is a rite of passage during this, our most fleeting of seasons.

Beware, however. There are rules and restrictions for Burlington and Oakville homeowners who want to use a fire feature. But if you’re careful and responsible, it’s easy and affordable to add this stunning natural light show to your yard.

There are many types of fire pits available, from functional to purely decorative, so you’ll need to discern what you’re using the pit for. Are you making pizzas and spider dogs? Or is your fire there to simply provide heat and light and impress your guests?

Wood Burning Fire Pits

Ah… the smell, the crackle, the deliciousness of roasted hot dogs and gooey smores! Nothing beats the rustic charm and natural beauty of a real wood-burning fire pit. While a traditional campfire can be dangerous, causing burnt ground or grass and the risk of spreading fire, the latest low height, wood-burning fire pits have none of these issues thanks to their iron construction and optional (but highly recommended) mesh cover, which are especially necessary for yards with lots of plants or grasses or if you want to place your pit close to the home.

Gas Fire Pits

Safer and lower maintenance than wood-burning and available at several heights, a gas fire pit is a more versatile option for a broad variety of homes. Available in levels including chat, dining, and counter, many feature a surrounding table area perfect for placing dishware and glasses while you enjoy conversation or dinner. Cooking on a gas fire pit, however, is not recommended.

Chimineas

Another option is to use a chiminea. Basically, a portable outdoor fireplace, chimineas have recently become popular in urban settings, where they’re placed on a patio or lawn creating a warm, interesting focal point for outdoor activities.

Traditionally constructed from clay and mud, chimineas originated in Mexico, where they were used by tribesmen to bake bread and generate heat. With a bulb-shaped, potbelly base that rises up to the chimney or neck, today chimineas are safely fabricated with cast iron and aluminum.

Jeremy Kalapacz, sales and advertising coordinator at Oakville Home Leisure, says fire pits are a hot ticket item this summer, “If you’re looking to maximize time spent in your backyard, a fire pit is a great way to extend the season – taking you right through to the fall, even into November.” Kalapacz notes that the biggest trends right now are concrete, faux timber, and slate, all of which pair beautifully with any outdoor décor.

While fire features are lovely to admire, they can also be dangerous. Any kind of fire should be placed at a minimum of ten feet away from your home and your neighbour’s yard, and it should also be in a place where there are no overhanging branches, fences, or other structures that could easily catch fire.

In addition to determining a location for your fire pit, you will need to figure out the ideal surface for it. Safe fire pit surfaces include brick, stone, gravel, concrete, or some type of fire-resistant composite material.
Kalapacz says Oakville Home Leisure is happy to complete home visits and site surveys in order to help clients identify the best place for their fire pit install.

Both Oakville and Burlington have regulations around outdoor fire burning. In the Burlington area, a fire pit, a chiminea, and any kind of outdoor fireplace is considered open-air burning and you will need to obtain an open-air burning permit (for online link, visit burlington.ca/burnpermit). For each new permit, a Fire Prevention Inspector will inspect the site to assess any danger to nearby combustible materials. Oakville allows recreational burning in all areas as long as residents follow a few simple rules, such as time constraints and pit size.

Whether you’re looking to gather with friends around a fire and roast marshmallows or cozy up with a cup of tea in the cooler months, a fire pit is sure to bring warmth to your backyard and extend the
outdoor season.

Local Links

Oakville Home Leisure, Oakville: oakvillehomeleisure.ca
Barbecues Galore, Burlington: barbecuesgalore.ca

By: Kristy Elik

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A Cut Above – Spring Tree Pruning Guide

March 5, 2020 11 Comments

As homeowners know, spring is often the busiest season. The snow thaws and our gardens are exposed, glaringly in need of cleaning, trimming, and rejuvenation.

The winter can be hard on our trees as well. Knowing when and how to prune them is an essential part of their health, ensuring that they flourish and thrive. So, why is it one of the most neglected aspects of yard work? While many of us carefully trim our perennials and shrubs, the thought of overcutting and accidentally damaging a beautiful, hearty tree can feel intimidating. However, when armed with a few tips, tree pruning can be easily done and the results are worth it!

Why prune in late winter and early spring?

According to Mitchell Watt, plant supervisor at Sheridan Nurseries in Oakville, early spring is a great time to refresh overgrown shrubs and trees to help promote healthy new growth. “Pruning before the buds break leads to something we call ‘optimum wound closure’,” he says, “It allows the trees to heal from being cut before warmer weather sets in.”

Another important reason to trim in early spring is that it allows pruners to assess the tree structure before the new buds emerge. That way you can clearly see where it is overgrown and in need of refreshing. It is also easier to identify any branches that may have sustained damage or disease over the long winter months.

Flowering and deciduous trees

Flowering fruit trees and deciduous trees are best pruned in late winter and early spring before buds, leaves, or blossoms appear. Since trees store their energy in their root system, pruning in late winter or early spring (while the tree is considered “dormant”), encourages vigorous growth to the branches that are left once spring arrives. For fruit trees, this means better quality fruit and bountiful yield. Also, don’t be afraid to trim aggressively! The harder the cutting, the greater the response to new growth will be.

If your tree is too large and you want to curb its growth, pruning after it has blossomed will help slow growth down and enable you to keep the tree to a more manageable size.

There is a small group of trees and shrubs that should not be trimmed in spring, including forsythia, lilac, magnolia, and hydrangeas. These types of plants develop their buds prior to spring and also grow buds on old wood. Trim these trees in the autumn.

Evergreens

Evergreen pruning differs slightly from other trees. Watt recommends pruning all evergreens — except pine — in early spring before any new growth starts. This means following the natural branching pattern of the tree to cut away any winter damage, as well as trimming dead foliage. This will help preserve the original shape of the tree.

With broadleaf evergreens like cedar and boxwood a process known as “selective pruning”, or trimming one branch at a time, will give better long-term results than over trimming. Aesthetically, regular shearing will give evergreens a fuller, denser look over time.

When to DIY and when to leave it to professionals

With the correct tools, pruning and reshaping a tree is a simple DIY project. But, when should we call in professionals?

Jessica, from TERRA Greenhouses in Burlington, says that pruning for cosmetic reasons is almost always a do-it-yourself task. Another time to wield the shears is when small or medium trees begin to develop suckers at their base. Since suckers are closest to the root system where the tree stores its energy, they divert it from the main plant and focus it on themselves. “Over time, you’ll start to lose the beauty of the original tree that you carefully chose and invested in,” Jessica says.

The arborists at Davey Tree Experts in Burlington have a rule of thumb — if you have to work from any great height, call in a professional! They caution that the consequences of unskilled pruning aren’t just aesthetic. The structural integrity of the tree can be compromised and turn it into a danger during storms, leaving it susceptible to lost branches or even uprooting.

Another reason to call in help is if the tree is showing signs of real sickness or disease that needs to be treated. An arborist can also help if it has been many years since your tree was pruned. They can give it a good reshaping and, with their guidance, homeowners can maintain it afterward.

by Kristen Psihogios