Oct 19 2010
While Waste Reduction Week, taking place from October 18-24, acts as an annual reminder to consider the environmental and social ramifications of wasteful practices, Habitat for Humanity Toronto provides the opportunity for its homeowners, ReStore shoppers, volunteers and staff to be waste-conscious year round.
Building new homes decently and affordably
Habitat for Humanity is known for their work in building affordable homes around the world, but the Toronto affiliate takes the efforts one step further. The charity believes that their mission to unite Torontonians around the cause of decent, affordable housing for everyone is inextricably linked to supporting safe, healthy communities and a sustainable environment. "As an affordable homebuilder, it's our responsibility to build more energy efficient and 'greener' homes for hardworking Toronto families," says Habitat for Humanity Toronto's CEO Neil Hetherington. "Our model is about sustainability - social, economic and environmental. Adopting this model protects both the pocketbooks of our partner families and the environment for future generations." Low-income families may spend up to 17 percent of their total income on energy to operate their homes, and simple energy efficient improvements can cut these costs by over 40 percent. The money that families save on energy can help them to make mortgage payments, pay for food, clothing and other essentials.
As a leader in the growing green building movement, Habitat for Humanity Toronto built the first official EnergyStar® homes in Canadian Habitat history in 2007 and is currently building the nation's first solar-panel technology Habitat condominium. In fact, all 49 homes the charity is currently building showcase GreenHouse® certified construction standards and will be 25-30% more energy efficient than those built to minimum Ontario Building Code standards.
Habitat Toronto has also adopted a waste reduction attitude in their daily construction practices that have volunteers using FSC lumber, installing EnergyStar® appliances and windows, and separating construction materials so they can be recycled. In the building of their own new safe and decent home, Habitat for Humanity Toronto asked Maple Reindeers to create a simple and effective design that used affordable building materials, much of which was donated. Habitat Toronto's new address at 155 Bermondsey Road, to be unveiled on January 4th 2011, is environmentally conscious and holds a Silver LEED Certification.
Instead of recycle, UP-cycle for your home!
Habitat for Humanity Toronto maintains their 'sustainable business model' by covering their administrative costs through the proceeds of their successful and eco-friendly retail chain the Toronto ReStores. Three locations in the city are filled with new and gently used renovation materials - such as doors, tubs, lighting fixtures, fireplace mantels and kitchen cabinetry - donated by homeowners and businesses. These donations would have ended up in landfill and as a result, the Toronto ReStores will salvage over 1,600 metric tonnes of products and materials this year alone.
Not only do the Toronto ReStores provide the opportunity to include waste minimization practices in home renovations or demolitions but with the constant change in inventory, the retail outlets also offer fantastic deals on one-of-a-kind items. Toronto ReStore shoppers 'up-cycle' or reclaim products to a new home at considerably discounted prices, while reducing waste that would otherwise end up in Toronto landfills all year long.
Source: http://www.torontohabitat.ca/