Canadian Ecology Centre – “Green Checked”

The following is a list of actions currently (and future) being taken by the Canadian Ecology Centre to lessen its environmental impact.  The acknowledgement of these actions is important to our Green Check commitment.   We have to know our actions are Making A Difference Environmentally.

SITE

The Canadian Ecology Centre is located within Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.  This is a protected and operational park within the Ontario Parks system.  See http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/samu.html#  or www.ontarioparks.com .  We tred lightly on the landscape, utilizing existing trails roads and resources.

BUILDING MATERIALS

1.  The wood used to build our buildings was obtained from a FSC certified  forest – Nipissing Forest).  See  www.fsccanada.org/SiteCM/U/D/30DBF1257BACEE21.pdf or www.fsccanada.org .

PAPER PRODUCTS

1. The paper we use for promotional literature is from a FSC printer (ie. the paper comes from sustain ably managed forests or proportionally comes from recycled paper).   See http://www.fsccanada.org/paperresources.htm  http://www.monroelitho.com/fsc_info.asp or www.fsc.org .
2. Many of the staff members reuse paper instead of taking clean sheets of paper.
3. We make double sided handouts.
4. We avoid printing unnecessary items.
5. We make photocopies on scrap paper.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. We have an organization wide recycling program that is regularly maintained
2. We encourage our visitors to bring re-usable cups for drinking water and to lug-a- mug to drink the coffee they can make in their cabins. 
3. We use rechargeable batteries in our GPS units.
4. We properly dispose of dead batteries at a hazardous waste depot.
5. We have  switched   to 100% recycled EcoSoft, Green Seal facial tissue, toilet paper and roll towels.
6. All our garbage bags are biodegradable.
7. We all use re-usable coffee mugs.
8. Everyone brings litter less lunches to work.
9.  The waste at each meal from school groups is weighted and posted, with “an eye” to do better.

CLEANING PRODUCTS

1. We are switching over to GOJO green certified hand soaps dispensed in a more efficient dispenser.

http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm

1.  We have switched to Green Seal “Clean by Peroxy Multipurpose Cleaner” (biodegradable, phosphate free, emits no fumes and breaks down into water and oxygen after use).   See http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm .
2. We offer our guests PROTERRA 100% biodegradable shampoo, conditioner and soap in the cabins.   See  http://www.bigordersavings.com/ .

TRANSPORTATION

1. CEC staff regularly carpools to work, reducing emissions.

1. We all regularly walk and bike through the forest to maintain our connection to the land.

ENERGY USAGE

1. We turn off the lights at night and when they aren’t necessary.
2. The hot water heaters in the cabins help heat the cabin and therefore serve to increase efficiency.

WATER USAGE

1. All toilets are low flow.
2. Timed taps in public washrooms.

ECOLOGICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

1. We deliver ecological education with students to help them make more ecologically conscious choices and feel more connected to the land upon which we depend (“being with nature”).

The following is a list of actions that the Canadian Ecology Centre will undertake  in 2008 take to lessen its environmental impact.  Each category of actions is organized from short term goals to long term goals.

PAPER PRODUCTS

1. Print less important documents on scrap paper.
2. Purchase only FSC certified paper for our printers and photocopy machines.
3. Purchase 100% post consumer recycled paper.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

4. Ban all plastic water bottles and encourage people to  purchase a reusable CEC water bottle and get water from the tap.
5. Replace little plastic cream containers with o.5 litre recyclable containers.
6. Remove little plastic yogourt containers at breakfast.
7. Invest in Tupperware containers for field trips.
8. Eliminate chips and chocolate bars from the front desk and make fruit and granola bars (in paper biodegradable packaging) available for people to purchase instead.
9. Eliminate the beverage machine and sell fresh juices in glass containers if people are thirsty.
10. Buy grains and cereals in bulk to reduce the packaging associated with certain food purchases.

CLEANING PRODUCTS

11. Purchase large dispensers of Green Seal cleaning products that can be used to refill reusable containers.

http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm

TRANSPORTATION

12. Organize a staff wide carpooling list to reduce the number of cars being driven to the park each day. 
13. Encourage the local  bus lines to invest in a bus that runs on biodiesel and become a leading supporter of this bus for our field trips.  This could also serve educational purposes.

ENERGY USAGE

14. Turn off the computers at the end of the day.
15. Reduce energy usage by putting motion sensors on all the lights so they turn off automatically when no one is in the room.
16. Turn down temperature on water heaters and turn off the water heaters in the cabins that are not occupied.
17. Invest in more ” energy star” kitchen appliances (oven, stove, fridges, dryer).
18. Look into grants to get either solar panels and/or geothermal energy to produce electricity for our lighting and heating in the main building.

WATER USAGE

19. When dishwasher needs replacing, install an energy star dishwasher.
20. When washing machines need replacing, invest in energy star models.
21. Install rainwater harvesting on the roofs of all the cabins in order to get water to flush the toilets.

FOOD PURCHASES

22. Look into sources of organic and/or local food for the cafeteria and use this as an educational tool regarding food politics.  Gypsy Foods is a distributor or organic foods in the area.

The Canadian Ecology Centre is saying it is:  “Making A Difference Environmentally.”

“Recognized…moving forward.”