Our Green Home Summer 2011

Summer 2011

Sustainable Selections: Featuring Ontario & French Winemakers

How local food comes to you

Green Chic: High-end meets low-impactin stylish Annex reno

Reno Tips: Eco friendly roofing

2 . OUR GREEN HOME . SUMMER 2011

OUR GREEN HOME . SUMMER 2011 . 3

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Summer 2011

Our Green Home

147 Spadina Ave. Ste 207

Toronto, ON M5V 2L7

www.ourgreenhome.caFacebook: Our Green Home Magazine

Twitter: @Our_Green_Home

Publisher: Paul Cassel

Editor/Layout: Meenu Deol

Marketing/Production: Ariel Crawford

Designer: Gord Naunton

Sales: Donna-Lee Bolden-Kerr

Contributing Writers:

Cover Shot: Provided by Jessica Lockhart

Mascot: “Susty” the Sustainability Squirrel

t: 416.850.8787 tf: 1. [email protected]

Printed on recycled newsprint

Julia Barnes

Jeremy Day

Meenu Deol

Azra Fazal

Iffy Kazim

Jessica Lockhart

Kevin Mercer

Celeste O’Neil

Chris Winter

By Paul Cassel

Ontario’s past economic success was built on resources, manufacturing and technology. We need to regain leader-ship in a sector with scalable opportuni-ties, developed infrastructure, skilled labour, financial market access and a culture of innovation.

Renewable power could be that platform.

With 20 years of pricing certainty un-der the Green Energy and Economy Act, Samsung is willing to bet big dollars on Ontario. So are Siemens, Celestica, MEDT and Johnson Controls, with Toronto-based Morgan Solar on track to join these world leaders.

Detractors say the subsidies are too expensive. In fact, renewable energy is less than 4% of Ontario’s power supply at a cost of about $3 per month per household. Compare that to the debt retirement charge on your hydro bill representing nuclear plant cost overruns from over 20 years ago.

Peter Love, former Chief Energy Con-servation Officer of Ontario, estimates Ontario’s marginal cost of newly built electricity generation at $0.08-0.10 per kilowatt with the cost overrun risk borne by you, the taxpayer and consumer. With continued program support, it is projected that within two years renew-able power prices could be comparable - at no risk to you.

Enter politics. The Conservatives want to scrap the Green Energy and Economy Act. Adjusting program requirements and rates paid over time makes sense, as scale and technological advancement tool up our factories taking costs down and employment up. But electioneering threatens to throw our investment in renewable energy away.

“It’s not just about creating a few jobs,” says Kris Stevens, Executive Direc-tor of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, “it’s about creating a boom-ing industry that can export to the rest of the world.”

At the invitation of CEO, Dianne Young, I recently toured the renewable power installations at Exhibition Place, which include solar arrays, geothermal systems, LED lighting, a gas-fired tri-

generation plant and North America’s first urban wind turbine erected by Toronto Renewable Energy Collective (TREC).

Would any of the Exhibition Place projects have been built without program support?

“No way,” says Dianne Young. What would be the effect of an abrupt

cancellation of the Green Energy and Economy Act on the sector?

“Disaster,” says Judith Lipp, TREC Execu-tive Director.

So what will it take to make Ontario a clean energy technology leader?

A recent UNEP report states “govern-ment policy has an essential role to play in enhancing incentives for renewable energy investment. It is important that the support is stable, predictable and phased out over time to motivate innovation.”

We need a steady hand on the wheel – not to withdraw from a race we can win.

You can find Our Green Home at The Big Carrot, Exhibition Place, Fiesta Farms, Steam Whistle Brewing, Grassroots and City of Toronto Live Green events.

For more distribution locations visit www.ourgreenhome.ca


High-end meets low-impact in stylish Annex reno Installing a geothermal heating and cool-ing system in a heritage home in the heart of Toronto’s trendy Annex neighbourhood has its challenges.

Why? Because bringing geothermal to a small lot with many restrictions on construction is a hercu-lean feat. But it’s just one bold step that a local homeowner undertook when creating a stunning “green chic” home.

From the outside it looks like most Victorian era homes on the street. Upon closer inspection dur-ing a walk-through led by Matthew Morton, the General Contractor who helped with the “green-er” aspects and layout, we find this home strikes a balance between aesthetics and sustainability.

Even before we step inside the three-story brownstone, Morton reveals that there’s a green roof on top of the front porch roof, one of two green roofs this home features. Upon entering the house, he flips a switch.

“The lighting in the home is software driven,” he explains, and this switch is an energy saving feature that ensures all lights are off when leav-ing the home.

We walk through the kitchen, which boasts en-ergy efficient appliances such as an Asko dish-washer, complemented by marble countertops. Then move to the visually stunning solarium at the back of the home.

Energy efficient features have been incor-porated into the solarium’s design. Invis-ible to the eye, between

the double-paned windows there is a polyester based film which reflects harmful UV rays and two krypton-filled gas chambers that act as trans-parent insulation. This maintains a bright, open and temperate indoor living space.

Morton confirms that “the wood trimmings and doors are all FSC certified.”

As we move upstairs, he adds that “the carpeting on the stairs is wool, so it’s not going to off-gas,” and all paints used are low VOC.

On the second floor, electric lights are switched off but the atrium is full of light - the result of carefully planned glass floor and skylight place-ment. The glass floor sheds light all the way down to the first floor.

Upon reaching the third floor, we get a peek at the second green roof through balcony doors. Along with seasonally responsive green roofs, the roof surface provides maximum benefit with skylights that increase natural light and a 2.2 kwH solar panel system. Light-weight, recycled com-ponent, cement-based shingles are also used.

After exploring the top level, we venture down to the basement. The furnace room looks quite futuristic compared to most residential furnace rooms. Through a small panel, we see that the insulation is cotton batt made from bits of re-cycled denim and component spray-foam made from soy, hemp and recycled plastic.

The basement houses a tankless water heater that rates 92 on the Energuide scale which defines 90 as most efficient. It can be used to increase the temperature of water heated by the geothermal system.

We also get to look at the geothermal system’s furnace and heat exchanger. The South Dakotan, Hutterite-made Hydron Module circulates water solution through a series of pipes that travel un-derground for geo-exchange heating. The same unit will reverse the cycle for geo-exchange cool-ing, eliminating the need for a noisy air condi-tioning compressor outside.

In order to install the geothermal system, over 10 days were spent drilling three 430 foot deep holes; a depth “almost comparable to the height of the Manu-life centre” Morton points out.Another innovative feature that Morton

describes is the Power-Pipe; a coiled copper drainpipe that uses expended hot water, dur-ing a shower for example, to preheat city water coming into the home.

The backyard, though small, features a 3000 litre cistern which collects roof-water and irrigates the gardens through a drip system. Since the ir-rigation system uses rainwater only, except in cases of extreme draught, it minimizes draw from the city’s potable water supply and produces no storm-water runoff.

By combining high-end interior design elements with low-impact eco-technology, this beautiful Annex home gives new meaning to the term “green chic.”

Photographs by Nancy Paiva

Green Chic:

Flooring harvested from a local, multi-generation farm and finished with Osmo natural oils. Wall treatment is Kaolin natural plaster. Artwork shown is made of natural recycled materials by environmental artist George Sabra.

Integrated shingles and solar panels on southern sloped roof. Roof water is drained by gutters to a cistern.

Recycled walnut floor by Pennsylvania Menonites is insulated with recycled component spray foam and heated geothermally.

Roof garden cools in summer and insulates in winter. By Natvick Gardens and main-tained by Restoration Gardens of Toronto.

Natural clay stucco inspired by tradition-al Irish plastering. LED bulbs are used in soffits.


When we think of Toronto’s Exhibition Place, we usually think of screaming big shows: the Molson Indy, the CNE, the Air Show and the Toronto Football Club. Not exactly icons of sustainability, but every city needs its big events.

Truth is, Exhibition Place is pretty green and, while touring their facilities, I was able to field test a new five-star rating system for green leaders. Exhibition Place scored surprisingly well in all five categories.

A green commitment This commitment starts with the CEO Dianne Young, who was awarded last year’s “Inaugural Outstanding Achieve-

ment Award” by Sustainable Buildings Canada, and flows through all facets of building design and management. In fact, Exhibition Place is a member of Ontario’s Environ-ment Leaders Program.

At least five significant actionsExhibition Place is a green energy power-house. Along with TREC’s wind turbine and several rooftops of solar panels-with eventual solar generation to equal 500 kilowatts-there is also a “trigeneration” system on the grounds. This system uses natural gas to meet 30% of the Direct Energy Centre’s electricity, heating and cool-ing needs. On occasion, it helps Toronto deal with peak electricity demand, as I discovered when our guide Noel Mationg received the two-hour warning call right in the middle of our tour!

Energy-saving features include LED streetlights which are as bright as a conventional streetlight, but use half the electricity and last five times longer. Lighting in the Direct Energy Centre has been retrofitted to reduce energy consumption by 2.2 million kWh per year. Add an urban forestry program that preserves 2,750 trees on-site, and they have easily reached five significant environmental initiatives.

An environmental management planExhibition Place’s “GREENSmart” program focuses on energy conservation, green power, and waste reduction. The new Allstream Conference Centre is targeting LEED Silver certification and features natural lighting, rainwater harvesting, local food options, linen-free tables, and a nifty spiral bike rack out the front.

Over half the products and services are greenExhibition Place hosts several green shows, including the Green Living Show and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, but the airshow, rides and carnie games are a far bigger draw. If you can green the Ex and the Indy, then you’re really talking.

As it turns out, The Ex is the greenest fair in North America and recently acquired Ecologo certification. Their “Keeping it Green” program helps clients plan environmentally friendly shows and events. The Ex also achieves an 80% waste diversion rate, partly the result of compostable dishware and safe disposal programs.

Greens the communityExhibition Place offers informative site tours for commu-nity groups and management professionals alike. They also regularly support Earth Day and donate perishable foods to local shelters and food banks.

I’d guess our Exhibition Place merits five stars for their efforts. It doesn’t mean they are perfect, but without a doubt, Exhibition Place is one of Toronto’s green leaders and that’s worth sup-porting!

How Exhibition Place Showcases

Noel Mationg, our guide, and Chris Winter in trigeneration control room.

Written by Chris WinterGreen Leadership

Information Supplement


Spring’s arrival in Canada is heralded by many memorable events: taxes, hockey playoffs and, oh yes, usually enough rain to turn your yard, and a not so lucky neighbour’s basement, into minia-ture Manitoba flood zones. Following this, the first few weeks of real summer heat changes lush landscapes into parched plains, with no hint of that rainwater which rushed from downspouts and driveways to overcharged sewers.

So out comes the hose to water the garden, to keep the lawn green, to fill the pool and to wash the car. Oh the joys of summer!

Until you get your water bill. It seems bigger. Well, that’s because your bill is about 10% bigger than last year’s. And like Dr. Suess’ Once-ler, your city is planning on “biggering” your water bill by 10% every year.

That “fresh and delicious whenever we need it” water bill repre-sents an energy intensive system involving pipes, pumps and wa-ter treatment. Your water charges also maintain sewers that move waste to sewage plants; sewage plants that consume even more energy. It’s hard to believe, but in most cities, 30-50% of available electricity is consumed when running and maintaining potable water and sewer systems. That’s more than the electricity consumed by commercial buildings, street lights and public transit combined!

Every time we water our lawns or turn on the taps, we’re expend-ing a huge amount of energy. In fact, during the summer, our cities can produce and pump about 40% more potable water than aver-age. Wasting clean water on our “electric lawns” is one reason for summer usage spikes.

Now that you’ve “made the hose connection” with the energy intensive water system, remember all that unused spring rainwater? We’ve actually created another complex system of pipes and pumps to drain rainfall from streets, homes, schools, and high-rises as fast as possible. Storm-water runoff is a nasty combination of road salts, loose dirt, garbage and oil leaked from cars and trucks.

“Where does it all go?” you ask.

It’s dumped as a plume of hot, fast and dirty runoff into the rivers and lakes we rely on for swimming, fishing and drinking water.

“No, no, no!” you say, “that is unacceptable!”

Nothing justifies spending huge sums of money to produce fresh drinking water, only to feed our electric lawns, while billions of litres of clean rainwater flows into dirty sewers.

That’s why we should take steps to reduce water consumption, especially since, as Canadians, we use a lot of it. When compared to other developed countries, the OECD Environment Directorate finds that Canadians use twice as much per capita and spend only 1.2% of total household income for drinking water and sanitation.

Redirecting our roof runoff is a great way to minimize our water consumption. By harvesting rainwater, using a large rain barrel or cistern, potable water is not wasted. And, for those with the budget, installing a green roof to absorb rainwater or a grey-water reuse system will put that runoff to use.

So this summer, let’s break the hose connection by adopting a few simple habits to offset rising city water costs and to reduce our col-lective water footprint.

Your Electric LawnMaking and breaking the hose connection

Written by Kevin Mercer

“An average Canadian home generates enough roof runoff to flush a 6 litre toilet about 12,000 times per year, and all of it currently goes to waste.”RiverSides’ Homeowner’s Guide to Rainfall


The #1 ranked residential rain barrel designRiverSafe RainBarrel

416.868.1983www.riversides.org

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- Protect your home’s foundation & lighten the load on your drains- Reduce your water footprint & your summer water bills- Chlorine-free, Ph balanced rainwater for your lawn and garden - Divert runoff from our sewers to improve the health of our rivers- Beat the mandatory downspout disconnection deadline

- Protect your home’s foundation & lighten the load on your drains- Protect your home’s foundation & lighten the load on your drains- Reduce your water footprint & your summer water bills- Protect your home’s foundation & lighten the load on your drains- Reduce your water footprint & your summer water bills- Chlorine-free, Ph balanced rainwater for your lawn and garden - Reduce your water footprint & your summer water bills

- Divert runoff from our sewers to improve the health of our rivers- Chlorine-free, Ph balanced rainwater for your lawn and garden

- Beat the mandatory downspout disconnection deadline- Divert runoff from our sewers to improve the health of our rivers

Made in Canada

Imagine, you’re on the front lines of the battle to restore clean, healthy rivers and unpolluted beaches. Here’s a shortcut to becoming a local environmental hero: Disconnect Your Downspout. That’s it!

Disconnecting downspouts is cheap, easy and now mandatory according to a bylaw affecting all city of Toronto properties. It benefits your community by protecting the future health of our water sources. Alright recruits, time for your mission!

Before You StartPlan the pipe route. Ensure water flows onto a permeable surface like a lawn, garden or infiltration system away from the foundation of your home. You can install a rainbarrel to harvest and divert roof runoff to your lawn and garden.

What You NeedTape measure . Hacksaw or Metal snips . Newspaper and Quick dry cement or a flexible ABS cap or an ABS drain cap . Power screwdriver . Metal File, Self-tapping ½ inch metal screws . Downspout elbows (2 or 3) . Downspout extension . Splash block or Mulch (if needed) . Protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, etc.)

Step-by-Step 1. Measure and mark a point on the downspout about one foot above ground level, or seven feet for a rainbarrel. 2. Use the hacksaw or metal snips to cut out that section of the downspout. 3. Pull any remaining downspout out of the pipe that leads to the sewer. 4. Fill pipe with newspaper and at least three inches of quick dry cement or cap it with an ABS cap. 5. Install a downspout elbow and at least one meter length of drain pipe at the mouth of the downspout. Secure together with sheet metal screws. 6. Place stones, gravel, mulch or a splash pad at the mouth of the new downspout to prevent erosion or undercutting of your lawn.

There, all done! You are now a memeber of the loyal order of Ontario river pro-tectors and tax saving citizens.

A Few TipsDO NOT flow runoff onto an impermeable surface like a driveway, sidewalk or paved path. It will soon be illegal, as stormwater runoff can overcharge sewers. DO capture roof runoff with a rainbarrel or cistern. Harvesting rain before it drains into the sewers saves energy and reduces your water bill. DO direct flow approximately 1.5 m. away from your and your neighbours’ house foundations.DO bury the downspout in a granular filled trench if there is no permeable surface near the mouth of the downspout.

Disconnecting Your DownspoutWritten by Kevin Mercer


The green-conscious can finally hang up those rubber gloves, guilt-free. The dishwasher, which used to be high on the list of waste-ful luxury items, is now more effi-cient than hand-washing, making it an exemplar for home technology.

In 2008, Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency report-ed that dishwashers used, on average, 66% less en-ergy than they did in 1990.

Today’s top performers have Energy Star symbols and are at least 9% more efficient than the federally regulated standard. That means annual energy consumption is under 324kWh, while water con-sumption is less than 22 litres per load. Maximize your savings by shop-ping for a clean, green machine with low EnerGuide and water use ratings.

And don’t forget to look for eco-friendly features. Some dishwash-ers now have sensors to determine how dirty a load of dishes is, in order to adjust water and heat usage ac-cordingly. No-heat or air-dry options save even more energy, as do light

or economy cycle op-tions. Delay starts are now common and make off-peak electricity use simple. Dishwashers are most efficient when run fully loaded, so small households, and take-out lovers, should shop

for Energy Star qualified, compact dishwashers. Buyers with less predictable schedules will be interested in half-load options to clean only one instead of both racks.

When looking for a dishwasher, find the right combination of features for your lifestyle—and the planet!

www.greengapplianceguide.ca

DISHWASHERSResearched & Written by Julia Barnes & Azra FazalWelcome to the Green Appliance Guide, where we help

you compare top-rated “green” machines and invest in ones that are most energy efficient, ecologically and

socially responsible. All items selected have drawn our attention for a commitment to sustainability, innovation or

energy efficiency.

According to the National Energy Use Database, 13 per cent of annu-al residential energy is consumed by household appliances. Choosing efficient washers, dryers, ovens, dishwashers and fridges will reduce resource consumption and put energy savings back into your wallet.

By applying a relatively straightforward method to rate each appli-ance, we look at efficiency in energy and water consumption, and do our best to consider production, transportation and disposal factors.

Four levels of colour-coded evaluation indicate sustainability; green meaning it ranks high while red indicates a low ranking. Evaluations are based on data provided by producers and we strive to ensure ac-curacy by referring to third-party certifiers such as EnerGuide.

We plan to work through all major household appliance categories, and post the results of our research at GreenApplianceGuide.ca.

Help us grow the GAG! Send your suggestions for products that demonstrate sustainable and socially responsible initiatives to [email protected].

This Energy Star qualified machine is both energy and water efficient, boasting features that help use less when-ever possible. AEG’s Sensorlogic function measures the load’s size and soiling level, fine tuning the program to meet the needs of each load. The half-load option gives added flexibility. Plus, AEG has taken significant steps towards sustainability in its manufacturing process.

AEG F89078 VI-S

$$

LISTINGS

This large capacity machine has one of the lowest En-erGuide ratings at 180kWh per year. An EcoSense™ sensor checks water cleanliness to determine if addi-tional water is required to finish cleaning a load. This built-in dishwasher offers a variety of wash options, in-cluding half-load cleaning. It uses convection instead of heat when drying dishes, saving energy in the process.

Bosch SHX68E15UC 24” Integra 800 Plus

$$$

Tier II

2008 dishwashers

use 66% less

energy than those

made in 1990.

Evaluation Criteria:

Evaluations:

Recommended

Pass

Caution

Concern

Warning

Water Usage

Energy Effi ciency

Production Process

Transportation

RoHS HE

EU Energy Label

Learn more about our methodology and different grocery certifi cations at ourgreenhome.ca

Certifi cations and Labels

CEE

Energy Star

ResourcesOffi ce of Energy Effi ciency: www.oee.nrcan.gc.caConsortium for Energy Effi ciency (CEE) Qualifi ed:www.cee1.orgEuropean Union (EU) Energy:www.ec.europa.eu/energy/effi ciency/labelling

EICC

Members of the EuropeanCommittee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers

OGH_summer_certifications2.indd 1 10/07/11 9:12 PM


This family-sized, built-in machine uses very little wa-ter, approximately nine litres per load, and gives you the option to air dry your dishes. The machine also has a delay option, so that you can wash your dishes during off-peak hours. To reduce their carbon footprint, Bosch obtains materials from locally based suppliers.

Bosch 24”Ascenta Evolution SHE6AP06UC

$

Tier II

This GE model comes with a CleanSensor™ that will adjust the temperature, the amount of water and the time needed from load to load. For a quick load, you can choose SpeedWash™, one of the many cycles available. The GE model also has a 24 hour delay option so you can wash dishes during off-peak hours.

GE Built-In GLDT696TSS

$

Tier I

This machine’s Ultra Wash® HE system saves both water and energy. It uses High Efficiency dishwashing detergent to effectively get rid of debris with less wa-ter. In addition, the SmartWash™ button automatically chooses the right cycle for your dishes. SmartWash™ regulates temperature and water levels during a cycle.

Kenmore Elite 24” Built-In with 360° PowerWash™ 1397

$$

Tier II

Dishwasher: LISTINGS cont’d

This highly economical machine has many of the same features as other Elites, like a new spray arm called the 360° PowerWash™. When combined with High Efficiency detergent, the spray arm effectively cleans dish-es with less water and energy. Kenmore appliances can be found at Sears, who have made sustainable choices such as the use of SmartWay certified transportation fleets.

Kenmore Elite 24” Built-In with 360° PowerWash™ 1392

$

Tier II

This dishwasher is not just “exceptionally quiet” -- it’s ex-ceptionally efficient. KitchenAid claims this machine’s ad-vanced variable motor works with its soil sensor to determine how dirty a load of dishes is, in order to get desired results with minimal energy and water consumption. This dish-washer is manufactured by Whirlpool and ships to Toron-to in EPA certified SmartWay vehicles, from nearby Ohio.

Kitchen Aid Superba Series EQ

$$



Hands down, dishwashers are more efficient than hand-washing; they use a sixth less water and half the energy so you don’t have to break a sweat. And when it comes to replacing an old dishwasher, investing in a green machine will put green back in your pocket. In fact, the most efficient Energy Star dishwashers use, on average, less than 339kWh per year. Choosing an

efficient dishwasher reduces the “second price tag”, which is the cost of running your machine over its lifetime. Factoring in average water and en-ergy consumption, we can calculate what the second price tag looks like.

This dishwasher features a Smart auto-wash cycle and has a turbidity sensor which minimizes water and ener-gy consumption. The condensation drying system reuses heat from washing to dry dishes efficiently. In 2007, Sam-sung joined the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition, whose code of conduct holds high standards for ethical and environmental responsibility within the supply chain.

$

Tier II

This dishwasher features a large capacity for dishes, as well as a CleanAir drying system that al-lows dishes to dry without extra energy usage. The economy wash is also an excellent energy saving option. Miele is a member of, and abides by the principles of the UN Global Compact, which pro-motes human rights and environmental protection.

This dishwasher by Whirlpool, the 2011 Energy Star Manufacturer of the Year, is energy efficient and es-pecially water efficient. Features include an automatic soil sensor and an indicator that suggests an optimal wash cycle. EPA certification of SmartWay vehicles and LEED certification of some warehouses are among efforts Whirlpool has made to green its supply chain.

Miele Inspira G2141 SCU

Whirlpool Tall Tub

Dishwasher: LISTINGS cont’d

$$$

$

Tier I

This European-made dishwasher will woo consumers with its sleek appearance and quiet performance. Still, the Energy Star qualified DWPC6SS uses more water than some ma-chines of comparable energy efficiency. The company does not promote features to help users save water and energy on a load to load basis and no information is made available regarding supply chain, or manufacturing sustainability.

Porter & Charles DWPC6SS DMT400RHS

$$

Samsung 24” DMT400RHS

Dishwasher: ENERGY MATH

Table 1: Water’s Second Price Tag

Table 2: Electricity’s Second Price Tag

Running your dishwasher during off-peak hours helps reduce water and heating costs. You can add to your savings by using the delay setting found on new machines.

Table 4: Time of Use Energy Savings

If you’re not sure whether its time to replace your old dishwasher, according to Natural Resource Canada machines made before 1994 use 25 per cent more energy. That means about $325 go down the drain over the machine’s lifetime.

So be sure to consider the facts when investing in a new dishwasher.

The cost of running your machine made crystal clear

Table 3: Time of Use Rates

The Energy Star qualified Maytag Jetclean Plus is an affordable and efficient dishwashing option. May-tag’s Precision Clean™ turbidity sensor can adjust the automatic cycle to meet the cleaning needs of the load, minimizing unnecessary water or energy use. For added savings, users can skip the heated dry op-tion or use a light wash cycle for lightly soiled dishes.

Maytag Jetclean Plus

$

Tier II

Annual Electricity Consumption

Average Ontario Electricity Rate

Annual Electricity Cost

Machineʼs Lifespan

Second Price Tag

339kWh/year $0.1001/kWh $33.93/year 13 years $441.14

Annual Water Consumption

Toronto General Water Rate

Annual Water Cost

Machineʼs Lifespan

Second Price Tag

Energy Star Dishwasher

4884 L/year= 4.884 m 3/year $2.2842/m3

$11.16/year 13 years $145.03

DishwasherEnergy Star

Annual Electricity Consumption

Average Ontario Electricity Rate

Annual Electricity Cost

Machineʼs Lifespan

Second Price Tag

339kWh/year $0.1001/kWh $33.93/year 13 years $441.14

Annual Water Consumption

Toronto General Water Rate

Annual Water Cost

Machineʼs Lifespan

Second Price Tag

Energy Star Dishwasher

4884 L/year= 4.884 m 3/year $2.2842/m3

$11.16/year 13 years $145.03

DishwasherEnergy Star

Time Rate Cost Per Year Avg Cost Over Lifespan

Energy Star On-Peak $0.107/kWh $36.27 $471.55Energy StarDishwasher 339 kWh/year Mid-Peak $0.087/kWh $29.49 $383.41Dishwasher O -Peak $0.059/kWh $20.00 $260.01

SSUMMER RATEES

O -Peak 7pm – 7am 5.9¢/kWhMid-Peak 7am – 11am

& 5pm – 7pm 8.9¢/kWh

On-Peak 11pm – 5pm 10.7¢/kWh

WWINTER RATESS

O -Peak 9pm – 7am 5.9¢/kWhMid-Peak 11am – 5pm 8.9¢/kWh

On-Peak 7am-11am & 5pm – 9pm

10.7¢/kWh

Time Rate Cost Per Year Avg Cost Over Lifespan

Energy Star On-Peak $0.107/kWh $36.27 $471.55Energy StarDishwasher 339 kWh/year Mid-Peak $0.087/kWh $29.49 $383.41Dishwasher O -Peak $0.059/kWh $20.00 $260.01

SSUMMER RATEES

O -Peak 7pm – 7am 5.9¢/kWhMid-Peak 7am – 11am

& 5pm – 7pm 8.9¢/kWh

On-Peak 11pm – 5pm 10.7¢/kWh

WWINTER RATESS

O -Peak 9pm – 7am 5.9¢/kWhMid-Peak 11am – 5pm 8.9¢/kWh

On-Peak 7am-11am & 5pm – 9pm

10.7¢/kWh


Farm Fresh in the city Written & Photographed by Jessica Lockhart

Only five years ago, agri-cultural experts dismissed local food as just a fad. But with growing concerns about nutri-tion, food safety and greenhouse gases, business is booming—every year the demand for organic and local foods grows up to 25 per cent. With Ontario farmers’ markets rak-ing in an estimated $641 million per year, it’s clear that local food is more than just another diet craze.

Yet, Ontario continues to import $4 billion more in food than it exports, with the average food item travelling more than 4500 km from where it was grown or raised. So if more con-sumers are adopting 100-mile diets, why are Ontario farmers still having a difficult time getting their products to market?

Down on the FarmJust north of Brampton is the

Downey’s Farm Market. It’s one of 7,000 farms in the region and here, there’s no sign of disconnect be-tween the producer and consumer. What started as a simple roadside stand has turned into a summer destination—each year, more than 60,000 visitors come to Downey’s to pick their own strawberries, visit the petting zoo, or shop in the farm’s gift shop. John Downey calls these addi-tions to his family’s farm the “possi-bility-of-making-profit buildings.”

For local farmers struggling to develop brand recognition, on-farm sales like these are vital. It’s been estimated that Ontario’s 750 on-farm markets receive eight million visitors annually—and that number continues to grow. But the threat of increased

taxes is enough to inhibit some farm-ers from creating their own on-site markets.

“If you just sell sweet corn, it’s just that eight-week window that you have—but you’re paying tax year round,” explains Allan Thompson, Vice-Chair of the GTA Agricultural Action Committee.

“Farms are being taxed to the nines and trying to compete on the world market.”

Local products are up against the big-box store imports, which have longer growing seasons, larger crops and lower wholesale prices.

“The grocery chains don’t value On-tario foods,” says Downey.

With a focus on keeping costs low, offering local goods is a challenge for the chain stores.

Selling LocalBefore food can find its way to store

shelves, raw products need to be processed at abattoirs or, in the case of produce, chilled in cold storage units. However, these facili-ties are rapidly disappearing from Ontario’s landscape.

“Over the last 50 years we’ve moved con-tinuously towards centralization. On a small-scale, local level, there’s not much in the way of processing infrastructure,” says Ted Zettel.

Zettel is the General Manager at Organic Meadow, a cooperative that helps its 100 members market, process and distribute their organic dairy products. At the cooperative’s processing plant in Guelph, milk is processed and distributed under the Organic Meadow brand. Prior to the cooperative’s creation in 1995, there was no cost-effective way for organic dairy farmers to market their product. Zettel says this is because the dairy market-ing board didn’t know how to recognize niche products.

“There was zero interest from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario to launch an organic prod-uct,” he says. “We really

“The grocery chains don’t value Ontario foods” John Downey

Allan Thompson of the GTA Agricultural Action Committee, with sweet corn shoots on his farm.

Foodland Ontario stand at a local grocery store.

Ted Zettel, General Manager at Organic Meadow.

More than 78% of the fresh food market is captured by Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro


Farm Fresh in the city Written & Photographed by Jessica Lockhart

Going to MarketFor many small-scale local pro-

ducers, farmers’ markets continue to be their most direct connection to consumers. Ontario vendors have reported that nearly half of their yearly income comes from farmers’ market sales. But distribution to grocery stores through conventional distributors remains problematic. A peach grown in Niagara could be sent to a distributor in Toronto, only to be sent back to a grocery store in Niagara.

Distributors such as 100km Food offer a range of local products, in-cluding those that are LFP certified. Twice weekly, employees visit local farms within an hour radius of the GTA to pick up seasonal produce. It’s then delivered locally to indepen-dent grocers (such as Fiesta Farms or The Big Carrot), restaurants and catering companies.

One of 100km Foods’ customers is Belong Catering. Located in the

Evergreen Brickworks, they offer dishes made with 97 per cent local ingredients.

“We’re huge proponents of LFP,” says Brad Livergant, Belong’s Execu-tive Chef. He, for one, remembers a time when strawberries were a seasonal—not year-round—offering.

“Local food is not a radical new thing,” Livergant says. “We’re going back to the way things were.”

had no alternative but to take it on by our-selves.”

Organic branding is the key to the milk’s sales. But while organic certification helps to differentiate products in the marketplace, there is currently no similar legal definition for locally grown foods. That’s where Local Food Plus (LFP) comes in. The non-profit or-ganization provides a seal of “local” certifica-tion. Farm audits take into account production methods, labour practices, animal welfare and on-farm energy use to determine wheth-er the products are local and sustainable.

“The beautiful thing about this certification is that it’s also offering opportunities for dis-tributors to build business,” says Lynn Bishop, LFP’s Production Service Manager. “When you have an institution that’s willing or commit-ted to buying local, there’s opportunity for farmers.”

LFP works with food service providers to establish commitments to the use of local ingredients. Creating incentives and providing grants to institutions, such as universities and hospitals, helps ensure that the public has access to fresh, local food.

8 out of 10 Ontario consumers prefer

locally grown foods.

Explore Local Options

GrocersKeep an eye out for Foodland On-tario displays and Local Food Plus seals of certification. Independent grocers like Fiesta Farms (200 Christie St.) offer both. To fill your cart with local artisan fare, take a trip to Culinarium (705 Mount Pleasant Road), Toronto’s gourmet store for the locavore. New on the scene is the West End Co-Op’s Store, which will be opening its doors in late 2011.

OnlineLaunching in September 2011, Ontariofresh (www.ontariofresh.ca) is an online marketplace that’s designed to connect buyers with producers. If you’re not looking to buy in bulk, check out Farm-ers’ Markets Ontario (www.farmersmarketsontario.com), a comprehensive site that allows shoppers to locate a farmers’ market in their neighbourhood.Or book a guided tour of a farm in Toronto (www.fieldtriptoronto.ca).

RestaurantsIn Toronto, there’s no shortage of menus offering local fare. This sum-mer, Belong Café is opening their doors at the Evergreen Brickworks for three daily meals. Chef Brad Long is already dishing it up downtown at Veritas Local Fare (234 King Street East). Or try one of Jamie Kennedy’s recipes, including those served at the Gilead Café (4 Gilead Place).

Food BoxesWhy not have local delivered di-rectly to your door? Mama Earth Organics sources 80 to 90 per cent of their box contents locally. The Ontario Artisan Share part-ners with 100km Foods to bring customers weekly offerings of 100 per cent local and sustain-able meat, cheese and produce.

Executive Chef Brad Livergant, in his kitchen at Evergreen Brickworks.

Wilf Rose Farm



Welcome to the Green Grocery Guide, where we help you shop for top-rated, environmentally-friendly and

socially responsible goods. All items selected have drawn our attention for a commitment to sustainability,

innovation or personal health.

By applying a relatively straightforward method to rate individual products, our research includes important sustainability labels and eco certifications. We do our best to consider ingredients, production methods, packaging, distance traveled and disposability concerns. Four levels of colour-coded evaluation indicate sustainability; green meaning it ranks high while red indicates a low ranking.

A complete selection of surveyed products, which include food, beverage and household supplies, is available online at GreenGro-ceryGuide.ca.

Send your suggestions for other green, sustainable and socially responsible products to [email protected].

SOAPWritten by Iffy Kazim & Researched by Celeste O’Neil

Your skin is your body’s larg-est organ. In fact, what you put on the skin gets absorbed into your system faster than what you eat! That’s why it’s important to choose a soap that is as safe and ben-eficial for your body as possible.

Healthwise, if your soap contains “glycerine”, check with the manufacturer regarding its source. Al-though labelled as glyc-erine, it is sometimes “propylene glycol”, a com-ponent found in anti-freeze.

Ensure your soap is pH corrective. Most mass-produced soaps have a pH value between 11 and 14, but your skin’s protective acid mantle can only withstand a pH of 5.5.

Since most allergic reactions are caused by fragrances or per-fumes added to soap, try fragrance-free or naturally-sourced scents.

Suds, often associated with clean-liness, are actually the result of sodi-

um lauryl sulphate (SLS) interacting with water. SLS is a known carcinogen and water pollutant. Once absorbed into your system, it can mimic estro-gens. Side-effects can include meno-pausal symptoms, PMS and, for men, a decrease in fertility. It’s also best

to stay away from artifi-cial colours as they may also be carcinogens.

Going animal-prod-uct free means avoid-ing products with lanolin, tallow and so-dium tallowate. Keep in mind that these by-products are of-

ten listed as “natural ingredients”.As for the environment, it’s im-

portant your soap is phosphorus-free because phosphates promote algae growth in still waters. These blooms of algae reduce oxygen lev-els in water, harming aquatic life.

Making healthy choices when buying soap is good for your body and the environment!

Soaps can have a pH of 11 or higher, but your skin can only withstand

a pH of 5.5.

www.greenggroceryguide.ca

Evaluation Criteria:

Evaluations:

Warning

Caution

Pass

Recommended

Ingredients

Production Method

Packaging

Distance Traveled

Availability

Disposability

Cradle to Cradle

Learn more about our methodology and different grocery certifications at ourgreenhome.ca

USDA Organic

Bullfrog Power Demeter Canada Biodynamic

Relevant Certifications:

Fair Trade

Local Food Plus EcoLogo

Cradle to Cradle

OGH_summer_certifications.indd 1 11/07/11 12:25 PM


Soap: LISTINGS

Even though Body Shop is known for healthy & natu-ral products, this soap has several harmful ingredients. Tetrasodium etidronate, often used in place of paraben, is a skin and mucous membrane irritant that can trig-ger existing eczema conditions. The soap also contains Tetrasodium EDTA, which is prepared using formalde-hyde and sodium cyanide. It penetrates the skin and decreases barrier resistance. Red 33, a known car-cinogen, is used to give this soap its strawberry colour.

Body Shop: Strawberry soap

This soap is certified USDA Organic and Fair Trade. All of Dr. Bronners soaps are made using traditional pro-cesses passed down for 5 generations and still contain natural ingredients formulated by Dr. Bronner himself. This company has been producing these soaps for over 60 years and the almond bar soap is a long-time fa-vourite of campers and outdoor adventurers. It comes wrapped in 10% hemp-flax and 90% recycled paper.

Dr. Bronners: Almond Bar soap

method has a commitment to the environment and claims to produce biodegradable products. However, the Sea Minerals hand wash is laden with no-nos such as sodium lauryl sulphate and cocomide DEA, along with colours and fragrances from unknown sources. The packaging is made of recycled materials and recyclable after use.

method- Sea Minerals liquid hand wash

The Pur and Pure line exemplifies the company’s mis-sion “To respect and promote Ecology, Efficiency and Commitment”. Produced in smaller quantities, this soap’s naturally-sourced ingredients are over 95% or-ganic. All Druide products are certified natural and organic by Ecocert Greenlife. This product is biode-gradable while packaging is minimal and recyclable.

Druide: Pur and Pure soap

Green Cricket Foaming Hand Wash is manufactured within the GTA and is EcoLogo certified. The formulator of this soap is always investing in new research to improve their product. Traditional herbal formulations are integrated with the latest developments in green technology. Ingredients are quality-assured by Green Cricket representatives. The bottles used are made from recyclable High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

Green Cricket - Grapefruit/Mandarin foaming hand wash

On their website, Green Beaver lists ingredients they avoid in their products, and have done a great job keeping harm-ful ingredients out. Their entire line is certified organic by Ecocert and the “applemint” scent is a 100% plant-based blend. Green Beaver products are made locally within Ontario and this soap’s packaging is fully recyclable.

Green Beaver- Applemint Organic foaming hand soap

This is a preservative-free, vegetable-based soap containing vitamin C. Sudz is a product that does contain some organ-ic ingredients; however, not enough for it to be certified as organic. The packaging is plastic and cannot be recycled. In California, The Centre for Environmental Health is currently suing

Kiss My Face and 29 other companies for inacurrate labelling.

Kiss my Face - Sudz C-weed bar soap


BEERWritten & Researched by Celeste O’Neil

Drinking responsibly takes on a whole new meaning when you consider the environmen-tal impact of beer production.

These days, organic alcohols are becoming more popular. Choos-ing organic means ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides and contain no added preserva-tives. While not legally required to do so, micro-brewers tend to use simple ingredients for unpasteur-ized or minimally processed beers.

Ontario’s return and refill bottle system is one of the lowest impact

systems in North America. Standard beer bottles can be reused 12 to 15 times and beer vendors will recycle packaging in most cases. In 2008, the Beer Store recovered over 2.1 billion containers, and has an average bot-tle recovery rate of over 95 per cent.

For those who prefer to recycle in a blue bin, clear glass bottles are easier to repurpose than co-loured glass. But, it is best to take advantage of the sorting and pro-cessing capacity of most beer stores, and get your deposit back!

As a special feature, Our Green Home brings you tasters’ notes from the May 2011 Brewers Plate event at

Wychwood Barns. Our Green Home would like to extend a warm thank you to the good folks who organized

and hosted the Brewers Plate for bringing together a fantastic group of local craft and micro brewers!

Located in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, this brewery’s beer changes with the seasons due to fluctuations in the mineral content of wa-ter. Using 100% organic hops and malts, you will not find any ad-ditives, such as sugars and rice extracts, in Beau’s beer. Beau’s is dedicated to their community through donations and increased pro-ductivity which lowers per-beer impact. Beers, including their Bea-ver River I.P.Eh and Lug Tread, are available throughout the GTA.

Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company’s Spring Beaver River I.P.Eh

LISTINGS

Nut Brown Ale is an award-winning, small batch ale. Black Oak is located in Etobicoke, and the majority of their ingredients are Canadian. Even their brewing equipment is made locally. Nut Brown Ale and Pale Ale beers can be found in kegs and bottles and are available in the GTA and at the LCBO.

Black Oak Brewing Company’s Nut Brown Ale Good copper colour with a very nutty aroma. Fruity flavours blending with licorice notes. A long pleasant finish with good character.

Note: Nice copper colour with a firm head. Aroma blending strong hops notes with a winey character. Bitter with a long sweet finish reminiscent of apples. A standout beer.

Tasting Notes From The Brewers’ Plate


Beer: LISTINGS cont’d

Denison’s makes Bavarian style Dunkel and Weissbier in Etobicoke. Originally only available at the brewery, these beers are now available at many restaurants in the GTA. Weissbier, which now comes in a can, is available at the LCBO and Beer Stores while Dunkel comes in kegs only.

Denison’s DunkelNote: Dark brown ale with a rich creamy head. Aroma nutty and piquant. The flavours are complex, blending dark malt with orange peel and spices. Surprisingly light on the palate with a refreshing finish more sweet than bitter. Delightful beer, one of the best.

Located on the shore of Lake Simcoe, this little brewery works hard to conserve water used for brewing, tank washing, and general bre-whouse cleaning. They also minimize their impact on the lake by re-circulating water through heat exchangers. Made with non-GMO malts and mainly organic hops, these beers are available at se-lect GTA restaurants and bars, LCBO’s and Beer Stores. Experiment with adventurous beers including Antigravity and Hoptical Illusion.

Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery’s Hoptical IllusionNote: Amber coloured with huge citrus hops. Complex flavours combine a sweet note of dill with a bitter note of mustard greens. An adventurous beer our team loved.

This brewery reduces the amount of energy and waste they pro-duce. Their heat transfer system reuses cooling water from one batch, to heat another batch from 40F to 100F. They also use com-postable cups, made from corn, at all their events and have a spe-cial 500ml bottle that customers can refill for a discount, or re-turn for a refund. Try Raundhaus, Iron Spike and Dead Elephant.

Railway City Brewery’s Iron Spike Copper Ale Note: Deep copper colour and a nice head with pleasant aroma of rich toasted malts. Tastes of caramel sweetness and simple grains. A brief finish.

Steam Whistle’s Pilsner contains only four ingredients: pure spring water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. All ingredients are GMO-free, but not organic. Steam Whistle bottles are thicker than stan-dard bottles, and last longer. The brewery is bullfrog-powered and designed to be energy efficient. The brewery collects and reuses the steam it creates, and ships spent grain to farmers to be used for ani-mal feed. Steam Whistle’s truck fleet has used biofuel since 2006. Available at LCBO, The Beer Store and Steam Whistle retail outlets.

Steam Whistle Brewery’s PilsnerNote: Gold in colour with a faint scent. Light and fruity flavour with a short finish.

Located just outside of Guelph, Canada’s oldest independent mi-crobrewery has been brewing their English Ales since 1985. In-gredients include 100% Canadian-grown barley malt, a con-tinuously cultured strain of yeast and natural spring water. They offer 7 beers under the Wellington and Trailhead names. Welling-ton branded clothing is sweatshop-free from American Apparel.

Wellington Brewery’s Russian Imperial Stout

Contains 100% organic ingredients and no preservatives. It’s also the first certified organic beer in Ontario. The brewery has a heat-recovery system which uses steam from boiling to heat water for brewing. The organic malt used in the beer comes from Washing-ton, and the hops come from New Zealand. Although imported, organic malt and hops are difficult to procure locally. This prod-uct is available at LCBO, The Beer Store and BrewPub Toronto.

Mill Street Brewery’s Organic Helles BockNote: Light Amber colour with simple nose. Lightly hopped with a sweet body and fairly short finish.

Note: Deep brown, almost black in colour with a faint nose. Strong flavour of dark chocolate with a short bitter finish. Extremely well-received among our tasters.


French wineries have long been practitioners of sustainable wine-making; agriculture that allows the land to express itself in the grapes. Domaine Magellan, in the Languedoc region of France, continues these traditions using (now certified) organ-ic methods including wild ferment of indigenous yeasts and animal husbandry of naturally-raised animals for pest control and compost. With vines in their seventh decade, the root systems can access groundwater in drier weather. Domaine Magellan’s embrace of their environment during the crafting

of their wine is evident in the taste.

The first Ontario winery to be Gold LEEDs certified, going be-yond “green” and thinking “blue.” They do not release any untreated water and create more clean water than they con-sume. This is achieved through stormwater and waste water treatment via a bio-swale which stores runoff. Add to this their certifications of Demeter Biodynamic, Pro-Cert Organic, Local Food Plus and Sustainable Winemaking Ontario, and you find cutting-edge stewards of the environment. Even their hay

and sheep – which fertilize and prune the vineyards - are certified organic!

Southbrook Winery: Niagara

2007 Cabernet/Merlot/Shiraz, (Pre-organic certification), VQA.Nose of robust dark cherry and blackberry gives way to pepper and Christmas cake spice. Lush opening with flavours moving to dry finish. PEC’s “Operetta” cheese worked well with this wine.

2009 “Triomphe” Chardonnay, 100% Organic, VQA.Wonderful nose of vanilla crème-brulee, pineapple and apricot. Finish har-monizes wood and minerality which blossoms when paired with Fifth Town Artisan Cheese’s “Bonnie & Clyde”.

2010 “Connect” White, 100% Organic, 75% Biodynamic, VQA.Refreshing blend of sweetened citrus. Finishes clean with enough lively acid to pair with fattier, salty cheeses like “Cottage Gold” from Upper Canada

2008 Grenache/Syrah/Carignan, Organic, Languedoc.Delightful nose of loam, graphite & banana with a hint of vanilla-rubbed leather. Begins with dark fruit and anise, moving into a dried raisin finish. Went especially well with Bresse Blue cheese!

2009 Merlot, Organic, Languedoc.This merlot-dominant wine had a delightfully complex nose with raspberry and black cherry, citrus, white pepper and roasted cacao. Paired with a French Comte, but a versatile wine.

2010 Grenache Blanc/Rousanne, Organic, Languedoc.An aura of melon, blending candied apricots, honeycomb and fresh flowers. Enjoyable summer wine, particularly with the French sheeps’ milk cheese, Etorki which brings out fruit nuances.

Domaine Magellan: Languedoc

Written by Jeremy Day



Reno tips: Raising the roof - and its quality

When it comes to renovations, roof replacements can be burdensome and expensive. Making a well-informed decision when selecting replacement roof materials could be the difference between a long-lasting, sustainable rooftop and one that reveals hidden monetary and environmental costs.

Traditionally, roofs have been asphalt based, the cheapest and least sustainable roofing option, while cedar was often used for higher end homes. Today, inno-vative metal, composite and rubber roof options are new to the market and competing to win over your roof space. There are striking differences between performance and sustainability of different roofing materials.

Rubber and Composite Roofing

Rubber and composite roofs are made from varying amounts of recycled materials such as tires and post-industrial plastics. This extends the life of PVC, which is not recyclable. While rubber and composite is priced compara-bly with cedar, new light-weight panels are much more affordable. Seasonal maintenance will prevent mildew and mold growth, but these roofs, which are formulated to weather like cedar, are sometimes disliked for their “plastic” appearance. Also, as a rubber roof ages, chalking means it can lose pigment. Compared to cedar, these roofs are fire-resistant but could release harmful fumes into the environment if subjected to extreme heat. Properly maintained, the average rubber roof can last 30 years, but some Canadian manufacturers claim a life expectancy of up to 100 years backed by warranties for 50. Metal Roofing

Metal roofs are fully recyclable and can contain high recycled content. Quality metal roofs come with 50 year guarantees and require little or no maintenance. Options that cost less have been susceptible to leaks. High reflectivity, achieved through specialty coatings, qualifies some metal roofs as “cool roofs” under LEED. Although metal roofs can be installed over an existing roof, removing old roofing is recommended, especially asphalt which tends to be quite heavy. Also, consider double-strapping lumber grid for venti-lation. Metal roofs come in various colours and in the opinion of one green building expert, “rain on a metal roof sounds wonderful”.

Cedar RoofsCedar, which used to be cheap and plentiful, is no longer a sustainable roofing

material. Old growth forests have been diminished while shakes made from new-growth trees are less durable and may leach protective resins. Cedar roofs are now expected to last 15-20 years, but can lose aesthetic appeal after 5-10 years. Breather vents can extend a cedar roof’s life by about 5 years. Cedar has a poor fire rating, and is banned in some areas of the United States. There are fire retardant shingles on the market, but this means additional chemical processes have been used. Cedar will eventually need maintenance, but natural fibers are fully biodegradable.

If you have a flat rooftop, consider investing in a “green roof”. They are the most

sustainable option and can be purchased in small squares for ease of installation. Although initially expensive, green roofs can lengthen the life of your roof’s mem-brane, greatly reduce cooling costs, and minimize your carbon and water footprints.

Roofing materials and methods are not created equal, so heads up!

By Meenu Deol

Athena Sustainable Materials Institute’s research found that, every year, about 1.25 million tons of asphalt based roofing material is discarded in Canada. This usually goes to land fill sites.

Rubber Composite Metal Cedar


Let’s Go CAMPING!1 Broadstone Air Bed..................................................Made from 75% pre-consumer recycled PVC, this sturdy Air Bed has a built-in air pump and inflates in 240 seconds. Compact, comfortable and comes with a carry bag. Available at Canadian Tire.

2 GSI Cathole Trowel..................................................Dig deep and dispose of backcountry waste. Made from repurposed lexan and polycarbonate water bottles con-taining BPA. Serrated edges and depth guide ruler moulded into the front of the trowel. Find it at MEC.

3 Spark Solar Lighter..................................................Work with the elements. This pocket-sized fire starter from Efston Science is perfect for backpacking, boating, and hiking. The parabolic mirror focuses the sun’s radiant energy to cre-ate a flame in seconds!

4 Energizer Solar Crank Light & Solar Folding Lantern..................................................The hybrid-powered lantern can run on D batteries, while the solar light can be human-powered, when no sunshine is available. Reduce bat-tery waste by recharging hundreds of times. Currently available at Canadian Tire only.

5 Aladdin Tumbler..................................................Fully recyclable and made from recy-cled polypropylene, BPA and pthalate-free from MEC. Double-walled so your tea, coffee, or cocoa stays toasty for a couple hours. Great for lounging around the campfire.

6 Nalgene Wide-Mouth Loop-Top Water Bottle................................................Visit MEC and get this BPA-free, easy to clean water bottle. Loop-top allows clipping onto packs and opening fits water filters for outdoor adventures. Avoid single-use water bottles and reduce your footprint!

7 Justenbois Wood Utensil Set.................................................Beautiful utensil set crafted in nearby Quebec. Hand-made from reclaimed maple wood and protected with non-toxic ecological lacquers. Knife set sharpens with use. Perfect for back-country cooking! At MEC.

8 Nature Clean Shampoo & Conditioner.................................................Stay naturally with this Canadian-made hair duo available in-store and online at Grassroots. The non-toxic materials are safe for your health and the environment. Animal-friendly too!

9 Druide Insect Repellent.................................................An all-natural, biodegradeable insect repellent for those who avoid DEET-based repellents. Ingredients are of plant origin and citronella-based. Ideal for outings and hikes and is available at MEC.

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You could win all this gear! Valued at over $300 dollars.

“Like” our giveaway post on Facebook or email

[email protected] to enter.

*Full contest details online


DREAM relax enjoy

58 Berkeley St. Toronto, ON M5A 2W6187 Highland St. unit #12 Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0416-628-9966 | www.fi berliving.com

30% OFFGrand OpeningSpecials

DREAM relax enjoy

58 Berkeley St. Toronto, ON M5A 2W6187 Highland St. unit #12 Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0416-628-9966 | www.fi berliving.com

905.727.8121 ecogreenhomes.caDesign Build Renovate

Design and Pre-Construction PlanningEnergy Effi icient New Homes, Additions and Renovations

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