| Green Buildings and Workplaces Challenge |
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Many people are interested in greening their workplaces, but it can be hard to know where to begin. |
| Ecology Ottawa's Green Building & Workplaces Challenge (GB&WC) program helps people identify and implement changes that could be made in shared-building environments -- think the workplace, multi-unit residential buildings, condos, schools, and places of worship -- that would result in energy, water, and material conservation and waste reduction.
Because a number of players are involved, getting the job done takes commitment, solid communication skills, and cooperation. The payoffs make the effort worthwhile; beyond saving money, the process of making a workplace green(er) fosters positive relationships between employees at all levels, fosters a sense of empowerment because everyone can contribute to the effort, and gives a workplace an opportunity to demonstrate to the community that it cares about the environment.
Whether you would like to register your workplace in the GB&WC program or would simply like to be inspired by some good ideas, check out Ecology Ottawa's web site for greening shared buildings at www.ecologyottawa.ca/greenbuildings .
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| Ottawa's Green Bin Program is Underway |
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Whether you love, hate, or are indifferent to it, Ottawa's green bin adventure is underway. Proponents argue that the program will divert thousands of tons of waste from landfill and produce soil-enriching compost. Opponents arguments range from labeling the program as an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars because: the money would be better spent on siting and building a new landfill in the future; people can compost in their own backyards if they want to; composting doesn't have to be this complicated or expensive; payment should be in the form of a user fee, not part of the general tax bill; they don't like the bins or the collection schedule or anything else about the program.
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And the indifferent are indifferent. The facts are that the green bins have been distributed, the facility to change the waste into compost has been built and will be up and will be operational in a matter of a few weeks, and our landfills have limited life spans. Organic waste collection has been going on for just over a week, and participation is slightly lower than expected. The final budget deliberations, which will determine the mechanism for paying for the program and how much will be paid, will be happening in a little over a week. What choices will you make? www.ottawa.ca/greenbin and http://exurbanpedestrian.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/whereve-ya-bin-ottawa/ provide information and commentary. |
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