From the air we breathe to the ground we walk on, a healthy and sustainable environment is an important part of the quality of life in our community. How are we doing with respect to our Environment? You told us: A-

Recycling rate In 2007, 99% of households in Greater Victoria had access to a recycling program and 97% of those households used that program. Nationally, 95% of households had access and 98% of them participated in a recycling program. Grade: A-
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Agricultural land reserve Two hectares of land were taken out of the Capital Region's Agricultural Land Reserve (land protected for agricultural use) in 2008 and 5 hectares were added to it, for a net increase of 3 hectares. This compares positively to a net increase of 1.1 hectares in 2007 and a net loss of 84.1 hectares in 2006. Grade: B
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Resident satisfaction In 2008, 85.9% of residents were satisfied or very satisfied with their opportunities to enjoy the natural environment. Grade: A-
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Parkland Greater Victoria had a total of 16,141 hectares of regional, provincial and federal parks and ecological reserves in 2007. This is a significant increase of 878 hectares since 2005 and 2,687 hectares since 2001. Grade: B+
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Composting In 2007, 56% of households in Greater Victoria composted kitchen or yard waste up significantly from 40% in 2006. However, less than the 60% of the households in BC that composted in 2007 and 57% in Canada. Grade: B-
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Solid Waste Disposal at Hartland Landfill
(Kilograms per capita)
Source: Capital Regional District

Photo: Artist - lessLIE