Archive for water conservation
GoClean Waterless Carwash Saves Water and Donates to African Well Fund
Posted by: | CommentsThe triple bottom line is something that is bandied about in many companies, but it’s a true mark of corporate social responsibility. That is because the company in question has built their entire business model around the idea of giving back and being environmentally responsible. That’s the case with a new Canadian company Go Clean Inc. Go Clean Inc. makes Canada’s first waterless carwash in a bottle, aptly named goclean waterless.
Image Credit: goclean.ca
In Toronto, Ontario it is now illegal to wash a car with water because the discharge from the surface of the car goes into storage drains. This soapy run off then gets into and pollutes the water system, and is why Toronto is cracking down on how people wash their cars. Not to mention the waste that goes into washing a car because of the water that it takes to not only create a soapy mixture, but clean it off the surface of the vehicle.
The product is very simple to use and is made from natural and organic soaps. It comes in spray bottle; the consumer sprays the biodegradable liquid on their vehicle and then wipes if off using a soft cloth or shammy. In fact, each bottle contains enough liquid for ten carwashes. According to their website, each bottle saves over 500 liters of water. The product is available in Canadian Tire stores across Canada and for sale online, it retails for $14.99. Watch the YouTube demo video below.
The triple bottom line and corporate social responsibility comes into play not just from water conservation, but also because with each bottle of goclean waterless purchased, Go Clean Inc. will donate to the African Well Fund (AWF). AWF is a “non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for building and maintaining wells in Africa.” Each individual purchase of goclean waterless “provides water for 21 days” to people in Africa, and according to their website that is just the beginning of the goclean movement.
This small company was featured on the hit CBC show Dragon’s Den. The dragon’s were suspicious about the product at first. In fact Robert Herjavec said, “you’ll scratch the paint [ if you wash the car] without water. One thing I was taught was never wash your car without water.” He then tested the product and was amazed when it defied what he knew to be true about carwash solutions. Kevin O’Leary believed in the product, but was opposed to the idea of donating to the AWF for each bottle sold. In the end, Arlene Dickinson, a marketing expert, extolled the virtues of being a triple bottom line company. When O’Leary suggested donating to charity after the product was successful, Dickinson stated, “you either are triple bottom line or you’re not.” In the end it was Robert Herjavec who inked a deal with Go Clean investing thirty-five thousand dollars for ten percent of the company. It shows a commitment to being socially responsible when a new company is willing to turn down much needed investment dollars to stand by their principles.
By being a triple bottom line company, Go Clean understands their market. The product they are producing helps conserve water and they are paying it forward through corporate social responsibility by supporting a similar charity. In the end, this is what will distinguish them even further from the traditional carwashes on the shelf.
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Planet Forward is an online retailer of ethically-made, earth-friendly products designed for everyday use with a distinctly urban feel. Products include reusable stainless steel bottles, stainless steel thermal travel mugs, waste-free lunch bags, reusable shopping bags, Make-it-Yourself toxin-free Green Cleaning kits, organic fashions and other accessories. SALE 50% OFF ALL PRODUCTS – SHOP NOW !
Justin Timberlake Awarded for Environmental Leadership
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Justin Timberlake, the man who brought sexy back, has been honoured as an environmental leader by the EMA. The Environmental Media Association (EMA) has announced that Timberlake is the recipient of the “Futures Award,” sharing good company with past recipients Edward Norton, Rosario Dawson and popular band Maroon 5. Timberlake is known obviously for his music and acting career but also for his incredible eco-friendly golf course in Tennessee. Timberlake said, “My two loves are golf and the environment.”
Before we get back to JT, it’s important to understand the role of the Environmental Media Association (EMA). “The Environmental Media Association believes that through television, film and music, the entertainment community has the power to influence the environmental awareness of millions of people. This initial concept set the stage for our 1989 launch and it remains a core EMA tenant today. EMA mobilizes the entertainment industry in educating people about environmental issues, which in turn, inspires them to take action. A pioneer in linking the power of celebrity to environmental awareness, it was EMA who invented the ‘green carpet,’ launching the concept of taking a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle – not a limo – to high profile awards events and bringing the concept of alternative automotive technology to millions of previously unaware households.”
EMA President Debbie Levin called Timberlake “a great example of how you can lend your voice for positive change.”
Now let’s explore some of the ‘greens’ at Timberlake’s eco-friendly golf course. Mirimichi golf course, located in Tennessee, has numerous green features and here’s the top five directly from their website:
- Audubon International Classic Sanctuary
The Mirimichi team partnered with Audubon International and consulted with Audubon Environmental so that the renovation of the golf facilities would implement sustainable resource management principles that incorporate wildlife conservation, habitat rehabilitation and enhancement, water conservation and water quality protection. Audubon International (AI) certification requires a yearly audit to ensure Mirimichi continues to implement these natural resource management principles long term. - GEO Certified
Mirimichi is one of the first ten courses world-wide to be recognized as GEO Certified from the Golf Environmental Organization (GEO). This prestigious designation recognizes our commitment to environmental sustainability by protecting and enhancing ecosystems and biodiversity, maximizing resource efficiency, reducing waste, and conserving cultural heritage and landscapes. We adhere to the promise of continual improvement, and regularly monitor and review environmental performance indicators to ensure progress. - Future Clubhouse
Mirimichi’s future clubhouse will be designed and constructed to meet the highest green building and performance measures. These measures will substantially reduce water and energy consumption, protect indoor air quality and occupant health, and use sustainable building materials that include local and recycled materials, as well as reduce the amount of construction waste diverted to area landfills. - Buffers, Littoral Shelves, Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
Along with conversion of turfgrass to grassland habitat, buffers and littoral shelves (shelves planted with aquatic vegetation along banks) have been added to on-site streams and ponds. Buffers and shelves protect water quality and provide safe, easy access to water resources for wildlife. - Natural Resource Management Center (NRMC)
The NRMC, or maintenance facility for Mirimichi, is the building in which pieces of equipment are serviced, and pesticides, fuel, fertilizer, and cleaning solvents are stored. The building has been designed to reduce the potential for spills and prevent pollution of soil, surface water, or ground water.
This isn’t JT’s first award for good deeds. The 24th annual Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards gave the“Big Help Award” to Justin Timberlake for his efforts on behalf of the Shriners Hospital for Children. Justin Timberlake’s annual Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is a PGA golf tournament that’s dedicated to raising money and awareness for the organization. Justin Timberlake is a great ambassador for kids and the environment and remarkably, he’s leveraging his notoriety for good and not just fame and fortune.
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Planet Forward is an online retailer of ethically-made, earth-friendly products designed for everyday use with a distinctly urban feel. Products include reusable stainless steel bottles, stainless steel thermal travel mugs, waste-free lunch bags, reusable shopping bags, Make-it-Yourself toxin-free Green Cleaning kits, organic fashions and other accessories. SALE 50% OFF ALL PRODUCTS – SHOP NOW !
Dockside Green Living Nirvana in BC
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, home of Dockside Green, a LEED Platinum certified neighbourhood development with so much green building going on that there’s a lot to explore. Offering sustainable solutions for residential and commercial inhabitants alike, Dockside takes green living to the next level. “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) is a green building rating system that reflects the highest level of sustainability-focused certification a development can receive.” With only a handful of LEED® Platinum buildings in the world, Dockside Green is sustainable development at its finest.
So, what is Dockside Green all about? “Dockside Green is a visionary community dedicated to changing the development paradigm. Through innovations in the use of land, water, waste, air, energy, technology and design, Dockside is able to incorporate the principles of New Urbanism — protecting and enhancing the local community and its ecosystems.” Offering amenities including a fitness facility, a public small boat launch, car-sharing, waterfront pedestrian walkways, pedestrian lookout pier and kayak launch, a landscaped creek and pond system through the middle of the site, Galloping Goose Trail, extensive tree planting, shoreline enhancement and restoration, and a creek running through the site. And it doesn’t stop there, each residence was luxuriously designed by award-winning Busby Perkins + Will architects and takes full advantage of all the natural light and stunning views.
Here are some highlights of the ‘green’ features at Dockside Green that helped them earn their LEED Platinum ND certification:
Water conservation. Potable water consumption is 65% less than traditional developments by installing high performance water fixtures and appliances such as water-efficient dishwashers, washing machines, dual flush toilets, faucets and showers that save water without sacrificing style and comfort.
Alternative transportation. They offer greener transport with a car share program, upgraded bike trails and bike racks in each building, and easy access to public transit.
Organic Waste Collection. Making garbage disposals unnecessary and saving the water and energy required to operate them, there are recycling rooms for organic waste which is collected by a local organization.
Construction waste. 90% of their construction waste is diverted from landfills and either recylced or reused.
Biomass Heat Generation. When it comes to building energy, Dockside Green will be the first greenhouse neutral development. By deploying an “on-site centralized heat plant that would use waste wood fuel to produce a clean gas that converts to heat for on-site heating and domestic hot water needs.”
Onsite stormwater and sewage treatment. Stormwater is treated through green roofs and flows through a string of intertwined naturalized creeks and waterways to achieve LEED® requirements while giving it a natural urban oasis feel. 100% of its sewage is treated on-site and uses the treated water for flushing toilets, landscape irrigation and water features.
Energy Conservation. Dockside green is designed to use 45 to 55% less energy than the Canadian Model National Energy Code, saving residents money while reducing harmful, greenhouse gas emissions.
Dockside Green Community Masterplan
Healthy Spaces. Breathe the fresh air. “Dockside Green buildings provide 100% fresh air through either a central or individual heat recovery ventilators. We use low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) paints, sealants and adhesives and we avoid the use of ureaformaldehyde composite wood products.”
Materials and Resources. Dockside is committed to using materials that are durable and eco-friendly, including bamboo flooring and cabinets, low emissions carpets and salvaged wood products.
All in all, Dockside Green is a green building/sustainable development masterpiece that would make me proud to be a resident. It’s a green living paradise.
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