Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Okanagan have teamed up with GreenStep Sustainability Coaching to help local businesses learn new ways to grow their bottom line.
 
As a follow up to the tremendous response to the Green Business Awards, SIFE Okanagan students Matt Cosar and Sattu Dhaliwal approached Angela Reid and Lindsay Eason of GreenStep to put together a workshop series to continue building upon the environmental successes of the business community. “We want to make sure the momentum continues and other businesses have the chance to benefit from the advantages of going green, and to help prepare them for competing for prestigious awards like the Sustainability Leader of the Year, which requires excellence,” says Dhaliwal.  
 
The outcome is a four part workshop series called “The Sustainability Advantage,” which provides small and medium sized enterprises with the opportunity to understand and apply the tremendous benefits that arise from creating a long term sustainability strategy. “We want companies to see profitability in not only improving energy efficiency and resource conservation within the workplace, but also from improving employee productivity and retention,” says Eason. “Thinking about the long term sustainability of a company is something every business owner must do to survive in a decade that is set to bring more uncertainty with rising energy and resource costs. These workshops will help local businesses to develop goals for 2010 that will carry them into the future with a strategic advantage.”
 
SIFE and GreenStep are looking for 20 Okanagan businesses to participate in the series that includes four half-day workshops, beginning September 17th 2009. Businesses can learn more and register at www.green-step.ca or by contacting Lindsay Eason at 250-868-5121 or info@green-step.ca.

The New Year's resolution of Okanagan newlyweds, Darrell and Lindsay Eason,transformed into a year long committment to sustainable living. Follow their journey as they transform from a green couple to a sustainable couple over the next year. And, get ideas and tips that can inspire you as well.

It was a slow start but we are finally getting the hang of focusing on purchasing only local and organic food. We've already been receiving Urban Harvest Organic Delivery for nearly two years at our current address. Urban Harvest is a local organic produce delivery service that delivers certified organic goods in reusable containers to your door. Urban Harvest offers many local and BC options, but also includes organic produce from the USA and Mexico. To find out what produce is in season in which province, visit the Canadian Local Eating website to get an idea of the type of produce you can eat if you want to eat local and seasonal. This week, we made sure we ordered only BC produce from Urban Harvest, and will stick with 100% BC produce for the entire year.

We've been using up our left over food over the past week, and finally went shopping to start our year off properly. Because Nature's Fair was closed, we ended up at Save On Foods, where we questioned and read the labels on absolutely everything we bought. We spent about two hours in the grocery store deciding what was acceptable in our program and what wasn't. At least for the produce, Save On labels where it came from, so we could choose only BC goods. Many of the packaged products trick you, because they could be packaged for a company in BC, but actually made in the USA or overseas. Spices and grains are hard, because many of them are not grown in BC or Canada. We stocked up on as many organic choices as possible, and will use them sparingly.

We have also been making more of our own food, such as casseroles, perogies, bread, soup and chutney, and freezing or canning them to eat throughout the week. This way, we don't spend money eating out during the week, and won't make impulse choices of where and what we eat. Plus, we know exactly where the food is coming from. For some great recipes, visit Urban Harvest.

Our next step is to research local restaurants to see which ones carry the most local food and have sustainability policies already in place. For suggestions, please email dazandlindz@shaw.ca.

The JP Broadcast Group (Jim Pattison) with the help of the David Suzuki Foundation is launching its first-ever green programming initiative across all 28 of it's radio stations throughout British Columbia and Alberta.

The Suzuki Report, a key element of the green radio initiative will be heard in Kelowna on B-103 FM and Power 104.

Starting this fall, British Columbians and Albertans will be more aware of environmental issues by listening to the Report from Monday to Friday.

The radio stations will air long and short form structured programs with announcer dialogue and community service initiatives. The green programming will make listeners aware of recycling drives, environmental fundraisers and green events that will receive exposure on the respective station websites as well.

 

Wal-Mart has 3 long term global sustainability goals:

• to produce zero waste
• to operate with 100 per cent renewable energy
• to make environmentally preferable products available

In Canada, to achieve these goals, their new outlets opening in 2009 will be designed to save 30% in energy use. These new stores would be called Wal-Mart HE (high-efficiency). And over 5 years, the HE stores would save Wal-Mart $25 million.

Wal-Mart HE stores would achieve these energy savings by:

• using waste energy from refrigerators to help heat stores
• cutting lighting costs
• covering roofs with white membranes to reflect sunlight and lower summer cooling costs
• reducing the size of the buildings

Wal-Mart also has their sustainability initiatives, partnerships and products showcased at their "For the Greener Good" website. Their products page outlines new eco-friendly products broken down by various categories.

Source: Article from Report on Business titled "Wal-Mart Canada stores aim for energy efficiency"

Preferred Client update from Chris Whitney of Royal LePage.

Managing Rain Runoff

Using rain barrels to collect water for your lawn and garden has the added benefit of keeping water away from your home's foundation and from adding unnecessary strain on municipal systems. Pools of water at groundlevel near the house can be a cause of erosion and long-term damage to the foundation of your home. Public storm sewers may not be equiped to take on heavy rain after a flash storm or long periods of downpour. It may cause backups and flooding in low lying areas.

Roofing Materials

If you are considering replacing your roof in the near future, you want want to research the new technologies and concepts that are now available in roofing.

• energy-saving roofing membranes that help reduce electricity costs during summer and winter months by keeping the heat or cool in.
• sun-reflective roof coatings that can applied on existing roofs to reduce heat absorpotion.
• ashpalt shingles are made of energy-efficient and durable materials.
• solar panels are more thin and use the roof surface area to heat water and provide electricity
• green roofs help insulate homes and use rainwater for the vegetation which absorbs greenhouse gases.

"A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane." 

The following are some of the environmental benefits of a green roof:

• A green roof releases oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide which helps in reducing global warming.
• The soil and drainage mat in a green roof retain water when it rains.
  
• The collected water passes through the green roof more slowly so it avoids flooding during a storm.
• The water going through the green roof has been biofiltered which cleans the water.

Listed below are the cost benefits of a green roof:

• A green roof can absorb sound better so it reduces noise within the building.
• It cools the house and can reduce electricity costs when cooling down a building.
• Green roofs last 2X to 3X longer than standard asphalt roofs.

The design and construction of a green roof involves putting on many layers:

• A waterproof membrane is placed directly on the roof to prevent water leakage.
• Next, there's a drainage mat made of polystyrene sheets which has little cups which retains water for plants to absorb.
• Then, there's a soil filter fabric which allows water and air to flow through but holds on to the soil. And a mesh layer that will decompose to help control erosion.
• Edging is put on the perimeter to create a retaining wall for the soil and garden.
• Finally, good soil; preferably something mineral oriented that is lightweight and retains heat.
• You can also put on an erosion control blanket to keep soil in place until plants get established.
  

Other things to keep in mind when thinking about creating a green roof: 

• You may need to add additional bracing so the roof can support the weight of the soil and other materials that will go on it. For instance, a 4 inch deep green roof could way 25 pounds per square foot.
• Also, you'll need some sort of hoist to lift the bags of soil to the roof.

Source: Article by Debbie Cafazzo titled "From sloping garage roof to elevated landscape"

Mayor gives environmental achievement recognition to seven community leaders

At the 9th annual Mayor’s Environmental Expo at Mission Creek Regional Park, Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shephard gave recognition for outstanding environmental achievements.

Here's the list of the winners:

• Most Sustainable Development - MODE by the the Mission Group of Properties.
• Most Environmentally Innovative Business Initiative - Urban Harvest Organic Delivery
• Most Environmentally Dedicated Group - Lonely Loons Flyfisher's Society
• Most Environmentally Dedicated Individual - Joanne DeVries of Fresh Outlook Foundation
• Most Environmentally Friendly Commuter - Nadine Clark
• Most Environmentally Friendly Garden - Daniel Tomlin
• Most Environmentally Friendly School - Glenmore Elementary School

For information on the winners' contributions, visit the Daily Courier article titled "Awards honour those who think and act green".

Source: Article by Rachael Kimola on Castanet.

E-friendly renovation tips that can increase the value of your investment

• Windows - switch to triple-glazed that are installed properly
• Lighting - use sensor lights, skylights, compact-flourescent bulbs
• Heating - get high-efficiency furnaces, radiant heating, solar panels, solar heated hot water tanks (hot water tanks are 25% of your gas bill)
• Insulation - pack insulation in the walls, basement, attic, around pipes
• Water - install low flow toilets and showerheads, install on-demand hot water heaters
• Paint - use paint that has no VOCs (these cause breathing problems)
• Carpet - install wool carpets that don't pollute the air and are renewable,
• Floors - use renewable resources such as bamboo or cork or recycle old materials
• Surfaces - use products such as PaperStone that is made from recycled paper instead of non-renewable stone

Tips gathered from Joanna Pachner's article titled "Green renos increase a home's value".

Renovations that make your home green can increase it's value by upto 10%

Houses that are energy efficient are more attractive to home buyers these days. Rising energy costs are driving consumers to ask about gas bills and what's been done in the house to counter the problem.

Not only do Green renovations increase home value, they decrease monthly bills as well. A study done in Toronto showed that home values increased by 5 to 10%. An Angus Reid poll indicates that 72% of Canadians will look for a more eco-friendly home with their next purchase.

RBC Royal Bank has data indicating that making green renovations such as getting energy-efficient windows, and doors and draft-proofing the house can help save nearly $25,000 over 20 years.

The Federal Government says that homes can save upto $700 a year on their heating bill by making their home more energy efficient. They also provide programs to entice home owners rebates, discounts and other cost savings.

Joanna Pachner of BMO has an article with more.

The City is developing an urban community at the corner of Richter and Harvey

The City Of Kelowna is spearheading a project to set the standard for sustainable planning and building practices. The project will have a mix of commercial and residential development alongside an extensive park.

Some of the highlights include:

• geothermal energy systems
• solar energy systems
• storm water retention
• natural ventilation
• green roofs
• green businesses

The Central Green project will be developed to the gold standard of LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED™ is the most recognized green building rating system in North America and can achieve energy savings of 50 per cent and reduce water consumption by more than 35 per cent. 

There is a public forum April 30th 2008 7 PM at the Laurel Building, 1304 Ellis Street.

Top 10 Green Vacation Ideas

• Use public transportation as much as possible
• Pack light - to save on energy exerted on the additional weight
• Go on a Volunteer vactation for a worthwhile cause
• Check-in at an eco-friendly hotel
• Use a digital camera, use rechargable batteries - save on film and batteries
• Avoid destinations that would suffer with the arrival of tourists - Amazon Rainforest
• Rent a smart car
• Conserve energy in hotel rooms
• Don't do too much laundry - washing sheets everyday is unnecessary
• Eat locally grown produce

Source - Article by Susan Sardone at About.com