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Web resources

CIPEC Energy Managers Network (National)

The Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) is a voluntary partnership between the Government of Canada and industry, which brings together industry associations and companies representing more than 98% of all industrial energy use in Canada. The CIPEC Energy Managers Network is a knowledge-sharing and learning network for industrial energy management practitioners.

Calculate your business’ carbon footprint (International)

Use this online tool to calculate how much energy your organization consumes and understand how greener choices can reduce your business’ carbon footprint.

Green Electronics (International)

A simple one-stop-shop for consumers and businesses. Source and purchase green consumer electronics and computer products currently available. Each product's GREEN-SPECS™ are displayed to provide consumer confidence that their electronics and computer hardware purchase is based on prevailing worldwide compliance standards, classifications and definitions on what classifies them to be considered green or greener.

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) (International)

EPEAT is a U.S.-based system to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare, and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT also provides a set of performance criteria for the design of products and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to secure market recognition for efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its products.

Greenpeace International Electronics Companies Comparison (International)

This guide ranks the 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TV's and game consoles, according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change.

Industrial Energy-Efficient Equipment (Natural Resources Canada) (National)

This site has excellent sections on ice makers, refrigerated vending machines, self-contained commercial refrigerators and freezers, and walk-in commercial refrigeration. For more information, see our business refrigeration tip.

SMUD refrigeration tips & maintenance checklist (International)

Daily, monthly, quarterly and annual tips, and maintenance information on commercial refrigeration from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). Sample tip: Keep products below market load lines in freezers and coolers. Overloaded displays decrease product quality and increase energy use by as much as 10 to 20% per unit. For more information, see our business refrigeration tip.

How green is your takeaway container? (International)

Respected food portal CHOW has a feature to rate the kinds of packaging used for food, based on energy used to create it and decomposition.

Recycling Council of BC – Zero Waste Program (Vancouver)

The Recycling Council of British Columbia's recycling hotline is a comprehensive, toll-free service that provides information on waste reduction, recycling, disposal and pollution prevention throughout the entire province.

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Supplies

Green Your (International)

GreenYour offers a wealth of tips, products and information about greening your home and business. The business section includes sections on office purchasing, appliances, electronics, furnishings, kitchens and food, paper and supplies.

GreenBiz (International)

GreenBiz offers a topical, bottom-line perspective to the greening of business, including compelling news stories and updates on all aspects of going green. Check out the site’s Greening your Business: A Primer for Small Businesses guide, along with the Small Business section and the Business Operations section, which focuses on green solutions for larger companies.

Environment Canada's CCPIC guide for small and medium businesses (National)

Environment Canada’s Canadian Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (CCPIC) website for small and medium business enterprises offers cost-effective tools, tips, and resources for small and medium-sized businesses. It also includes helpful waste minimization assessments for many different industries.

SCORE Sustainability Assessment (International)

Sustainability Competency and Opportunity Rating and Evaluation (SCORE) is a sustainability assessment tool designed to help businesses and organizations benchmark where they are on the road to sustainability, and identify new or overlooked opportunities. You can enlist a certified SCORE assessor or use the do-it-yourself form.

Frogfile Office Essentials (National)

Frogfile Office Essentials offers a large online selection of sustainable office supplies, screened to ensure they are the best options available. Their site also has great resources for greening your business, reducing waste and engaging staff with sustainable practices. They also accept slightly used office supplies for resale.

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Lighting

Q&A on Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)(National)

Natural Resources Canada’s questions and answers about Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

LED exit signs (National)

Watch the ENERGY STAR Canada website for efficiency updates and exit sign technologies that become certified for use in Canada.

Lighting Reference Guide (National)

Natural Resources Canada has an online lighting reference guide.

Holiday lights (National)

Visit ENERGY STAR Canada’s home page for information on LED holiday lights and ENERGY STAR criteria.

Office energy efficiency (International)

The New Buildings Institute is a Washington-based non-profit that promotes energy efficiency in new commercial building development. While many of their ideas are for new construction, the site offers interesting lighting design ideas and information.

ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive (National)

This Natural Resources Canada Office of Energy Efficiency program offers incentives and rebates for energy-efficient upgrades.

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Local resources

BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (B.C.)

Keeping your workplace healthy can include supporting local farmers. Farmers’ Markets operate in every corner of B.C. Reflecting the communities they serve, markets vary in size and type, from large sheltered public markets to a few vendors clustered in a local park or on a parking lot. Buy local fresh produce and fruit, processed foods, and arts and crafts.

Get Local (Lower Mainland, B.C.)

Get Local is a community of B.C. food producers, businesses and groups working together to promote eating locally in the Metro Vancouver area. Get Local offers education about the benefits of eating locally, a growing list of businesses that are producing and selling local food, and other resources to help you choose more local food. Their chart of what foods are in season each month is incredibly thorough.

Green Table Network (Lower Mainland, B.C.)

Food service operators certified by the Green Table Network have undergone a sustainability audit and taken measurable steps to reduce their operations’ impact on the environment. Green Table members range from food courts to fine dining, family-owned independents to brand-name chain restaurants.

CFL recycling facilities (Southern B.C., Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island)

Because CFLs contain some mercury, it is essential that you recycle spent bulbs. Find a recycler in your area.

• If you are outside the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island or Interior, contact the Recycling Council of BC at 1 800 667 4321 for answers to your CFL recycling questions.
• Contact your local municipality to discuss local CFL recycling options. If the facilities do not exist, let your local representatives know to make this a priority.
• Home Depot stores across B.C. as well as Ikea stores in Coquitlam and Richmond offer CFL recycling.

Metro Vancouver SmartSteps program (Vancouver)

Metro Vancouver’s SmartSteps is a program of tools, technical assistance and information to help your business become more eco-efficient and competitive. Their goal is to help your business find specific, cost-effective actions that help to reduce the amount of materials and energy your business uses. SmartSteps program also offers helpful advice on engaging employees in your waste management and recycling program.

Green Workplace (Vancouver)

Green Workplace is a Vancouver-based company whose team of environmental professionals helps small and medium-sized businesses to evaluate their consumption and identify opportunities for waste, and energy reduction. Services include waste, lighting, paper, fleet and corporate governance assessments. They also offer waste management workshops. Fees for service vary depending on the size of your business and services required.

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