We hope you've had a beautiful green summer and Green Calgary looks forward to helping you start September on a sustainable foot.
Drop by Green Calgary's EcoStore to pick up work and school supplies that make a real difference!
Message from Green Calgary's Board of Directors
As our regular readers and supporters are aware, Green Calgary has experienced much change and growth since its inception in the late 1970s. For the past 12 months, the Green Calgary Board of Directors has continued work to stabilize and to strengthen the organization.
With this goal in mind, the Board has decided to reduce Green Calgary’s operations and to focus its work on strategic planning, program sustainability and revenue development. Between now and the end of the year a number of measures will be undertaken to set the stage for 2011 and beyond:
Green Calgary will focus on the core obligations of its Commercial Environmental Services and Healthy Homes programs, and will continue to provide information and products intended to reduce one’s ecological footprint through the EcoStore.
Green Calgary will scale back educational offerings so that they are proportionate to available funding.
On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank the Executive Director and staff for their hard work, dedication and genuine commitment.
You, the staff, our loyal members, donors and sponsors are all critical to our success and in ensuring another 30 years of greening Calgary.
THANK YOU!
Bow River Flow- Join Green Calgary's Pedestrian Parade!
When: Sun. Aug. 22, 10-6 (3:30 bike parade, 4:30 pedestrian parade)
Join Green Calgary’s parade of eco-people! Wear your favourite green & orange earth-loving clothes, help us carry our banner and show Calgary how many of us here are ‘living like we plan to stay’!
We’ll be meeting at the Green Calgary info booth and display next to the recycling bins at 7th St. and Memorial Dr. NW at 3:20pm for cyclists and 4:20pm for walkers.
Let’s face it; growing food in Calgary can be tough. But with a few low-tech tools we can extend Calgary’s growing season significantly, increasing yields and producing more food than you ever though possible. Learn some simple, yet effective strategies for getting a boost on your harvest.
Join Green Calgary in welcoming Jeffrey Casey, beloved heirloom tomato grower, as he shares how he squeezes the most out of Southern Alberta’s short growing season.
Where:
Hillhurst United Church, 1227 Kensington Close N.W.
This event is made possible by Green Calgary and Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie/Casey’s Urban Farm.
Commercial Environmental Services
Success Story
For the second year in a row Cadillac Fairview has used Green Calgary’s waste assessment expertise for two downtown buildings, Encor Place and 635 8th Ave SW, as part of their waste management plan. Since their last assessment in 2009 the buildings have increased their diversion to 83% and 77.5% respectively. This was a 23.6% and 29.1% increase over last year.
Their waste plan initiatives started with removing their trash compactor to make room for more recycling bins in their “Waste & Recycling Depot”. In this room there are recycling bins for:
Paper
Cardboard
Mixed plastics
Metal
Glass
Organic composting
Electronics recycling
Ink and toner cartridges
Other environmental initiatives included:
Cadillac Fairview provided the recycling boxes to each tenant to sort their recyclables
Cleaning staff will sort the odd recyclable materials found in the garbage
The janitorial company Servpro Canada uses green cleaners
All garbage bags are made from 100% recycled plastics
Coreless toilet paper rolls are in all the washrooms
Cadillac Fairview continues to look at other ways to reduce their energy and waste consumption further.
“We were able to initiate our comprehensive recycling program with limited space and also being cost effective. Working with our waste contractors enabled us to reduce our waste removal cost and to redirect the savings to the recycling program”
Green Calgary congratulates Cadillac Fairview on the fantastic improvement!
If you have any questions about these or any other recycling programs, please contact us at gina@greencalgary.org. For more information on Green Calgary's Commercial Environmental Services program visit our webpage.
How: If you would like to learn more about composting and pick up the tools to be a successful Calgary composter, drop by our booth for 20 minute presentations every hour on the hour (starting at 10am). Learn from experienced composters, troubleshoot, share your stories, and pick up a composter, wingdigger or rain barrel while you're at it!
Green Calgary's Fall Funding Drive
The support of our friends, members, volunteers and community supporters made all the difference last year. Mark your calendars for this year's Fall Funding drive, slated to run from September 27- October 29, 2010. Stay tuned, more funding drive fun to follow!
Ask Ashley: Why Carwashes are Best
Dear Ashley:
My husband and I have a neighbour who washes his car at home at least twice a week throughout the summer and it makes my skin crawl to see all the water and soap going into the storm drain. I’m wondering what I could say to him without causing a big ruckus. It seems like a terrible waste, so any advice you might have would be greatly appreciated.
