GreenerBusiness – What makes GreenerHomes.ca a ‘Green’ Business?
Besides the expertise it has in green buildings/homes that includes design, construction, and operation GreenerHomes.ca operates its business based on ‘green’ principles that include the following:
5% to 25% of all commissions earned by GreenerHomes.ca Realtors is donated to non-profit organizations.
GreenerHomes.ca Realtors offer their clients a choice of where they would like their Realtor’s commissions to be donated. Below are links to the various organizations:
The Land Conservancy, usually known as TLC, is a non-profit, charitable Land Trust working throughout British Columbia. TLC protects important habitat for plants, animals and natural communities as well as properties with historical, cultural, scientific, scenic or compatible recreational value.
Founded in 1997, TLC is modeled after the National Trust of Britain. It is a democratic organization, membership-based, and governed by an elected Board of Directors (volunteer). TLC relies on a strong membership and volunteer base to help maintain its operations.
Pivot Legal Society is a non-profit legal advocacy organization located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Pivot's mandate is to take a strategic approach to social change, using the law to address the root causes that undermine the quality of life of those most on the margins. We believe that everyone, regardless of income, benefits from a healthy and inclusive community where values such opportunity, respect and equality are strongly rooted in the law. One of Pivot's main campaigns is focused on Housing.
West Kootenay Eco SocietyThis Nelson, BC based organization’s mission is to promote ecologically and socially sound communities while protecting species and ecosystems in the Southern Columbia Mountains ecoregion.
Friends of Clayoquot Sound (FOCS) Established as a non-profit society in Tofino, British Columbia, Canada in 1979 as a grassroots, community-based environment organization, their mission is to protect the ancient temperate rainforest and wild ocean of Clayoquot Sound.
FOCS have two overarching goals, one biological, the other cultural. One goal is to preserve natural biological diversity and ecosystem dynamics, concentrating on Clayoquot Sound's ocean and forest. The other goal is to stimulate creation of a conservation-based society, with a corresponding conservation-based economy. FOCS is part of a global conservation movement calling for a shift away from unsustainable practices that damage the health of earth's ecosystems.
SPEC - Founded in 1969, The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is a non-profit charitable organization that addresses environmental issues in British Columbia, with a particular focus on urban communities in Lower Mainland and the Georgia Basin. SPEC’s mission is to educate, activate and empower citizens in the Lower Mainland and Georgia Basin to reduce their ecological footprint and build healthy, sustainable cities.
BCSEA- A non-profit association of citizens, professionals and practitioners committed to promoting the understanding, development and adoption of sustainable energy, energy efficiency and conservation in British Columbia.
Other Green Business Considerations:
Transportation – reduced driving and flying.
The GreenerHomes Team uses bicycles and public transport whenever possible. When a car is required the team advocates the use of hybrids and low fuel-consumption vehicles such as the Smart Car. The official GreenerHomes Vancouver office car is a 1974 Mercedes that runs on 100% Canadian Biodiesel made from recycled oil. The new official GH rural vehicle is a Mitsibushi Delica van that will be converted to run on straight veggie oil and biodiesel.
The need to fly has been minimized by incorporating some fundamental cooperative principles into the GreenerHomes business plan where professional relationships are established in different regions. When flying is necessary alternatives will still be sought as purchased carbon credits to offset carbon emissions is not much of a solution - especially if we are to be reducing our carbon footprint by 94% by 2030 - see the related blog.
Paper Consumption – reduced paper usage.
Of the paper we need to use we maximize the use of post-consumer recycled fiber.
Purchasing – Smart-Purchasing tactics are employed.
The first step in Smart-Purchasing is to analyze if product is in fact needed or if one can do without. When making purchases we look for products that are locally produced from sustainable materials and that minimize packaging.
Electricity and Other Sources of Energy – reduce our usage and generate our own.
The GreenerHomes Team starts by changing their habits (using localized lighting, turning the heat down, etc) and only using energy-efficient equipment and fixtures. Where possible GreenerHomes aims to produce its own energy from renewable sources (microhydro) by Summer 2007.
Reduce the Impact of our Office Space
All GreenerHomes.ca office renovation and building plans use smart-designs based on using reused and/or sustainable building materials. Watch the GreenerHomes.ca Blog for updates of our upcoming participation in a cob-building workshop that will serve as preparation for our 2007 plans for a new building.
‘Green’ cleaning supplies are always used to maintain our office space.
Meme Propagation – Lead by Example
Perhaps the most important way GreenerHomes.ca can be ‘green’ is to be successful. By creating a positive model of a green business GreenerHomes can act as an example to other businesses to green their operations.
Over the last 200 years business has contributed significantly to the environmental problems we are now facing. GreenerHomes.ca believes the business community must take the lead in shifting our economy to a more sustainable model by adopting green principles. GreenerHomes is walking that talk.