Fall 2011
Working with Builders and Contractors – Building Sustainability into Home Renovations
Home Rebates and Incentives Guide What is a Green Kitchen?
Green Grocery Guide . Green Appliance Guide
TRI 16561 Reve Our Green Home FPG 11_Layout 1 11-10-20 5:19 PM Page 1
PUBLISHER’S NOTE By Paul Cassel Fall 2011 Our Green Home 147 Spadina Ave. Ste 207 Toronto, ON M5V 2L7
www.ourgreenhome.ca
Tomorrow. Today. Only Tridel.
Facebook: Our Green Home Magazine Twitter: @Our_Green_Home Publisher: Paul Cassel Editor: Meenu Deol Marketing/Production: Ariel Crawford Designer: Gord Naunton Sales: Donna-Lee Bolden-Kerr, Michael Correoso Contributing Writers: Jessica Lockhart Chris Winter Jeremy Day
Tom Rand
Meenu Deol
Victoria Plashnick
Azra Fazal
Celeste O’Neil
Jim Harris
Albert Kwon
Cover Shot: Provided by Habitat for Humanity
Actual View from 14th Floor
For information on Habitat’s sustainability initiatives and ReStore program, visit: www.habitat.ca Mascot: “Susty” the Sustainability Squirrel
t: 416.850.8787 tf: 1. 877.850.8787 11_GP_CloverLeaf_mecƒ.pdf 1 11-11-03 sales@upmarketing.com www.up-marketing.com
Good investments
While much has been recently made about the impact of investment in renewable power on Ontario’s manufacturing sector, the politics have overshadowed another story - its potential impact on personal investing. As world financial markets gyrate around Greek debt repayment prospects, materials demand in China, and the Obama administration’s attempts to navigate fiscal policy somewhere between the perspectives of the Tea Party and the Wizard of Oz, there are renewable power investments providing stable, dependable, long-term returns. The total return produced by the TSX 100 in the first nine months of 2011 was a loss of about 13%, while Brookfield Renewable Power Investment Fund, a collection of clean power generating projects, generated a total return of 30%. Algonquin Power, which owns and operates North American renewable energy and regulated utility assets, produced a total return of 20%. More locally, the Solar Income Fund connected 22 Ontario solar projects to the grid at the end of September, all with fixed price contracts under the OPA microFIT program, which are projected to produce a 12-13% annual income. This is a private fund available only to “accredited investors” with a minimum investment of $25,000. Solarshare is a similar, but more accessible investment opportunity with 18 solar power generating projects assembled by the Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative and 17:17 currently before the Ontario Securities regulator. Upon approval, Solarshare will be available for general investment.
For now, it is limited to $1000 bonds, one per investor, each with a share conversion right and bearing 5% interest income. For the renewable power fan who prefers a single project closer to home, there is the Toronto Zoo’s Zoo Share Biogas Co-operative Inc. a non-profit, non-share capital renewable energy co-operative, the first co-operatively owned biogas plant in Canada, which will convert zoo waste to energy, heat and fertilizer. Shares our proposed to offer a fixed 7% return as an RRSP eligible investment. Finally, for those inclined to keep their gold at their castle, the OPA’s microFIT program can give you a 20 year fixed price contract to generate solar power from the roof over your head. The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association estimates that a Toronto installation with good site attributes can return the initial investment in seven years and generate free income of up to 12-14% of the original investmentfor the next thirteen. Rates are expected be lowered this fall to offer 10-12% annual returns. Financing may be available. In addition to producing these market-beating results, renewable power is also an essential piece in the climate change puzzle. So while you’re generating a good, stable return on investment, you’re providing the capital to the organizations that are talking steps towards sustainable energy production, which may be the most important investment of all. At the time of writing, Paul Cassel held investments in Brookfield Renewable Power Investment Fund and Alogonquin Power.
B
uyer beware! Sharks, rays, sea turtles, baby tuna from vulnerable stocks, and other species die in the destructive fisheries Clover Leaf gets its tuna from. Other major brands are committed to change, but Clover Leaf refuses.
Rêve Exterior
Canadian consumers deserve better. Urge Clover Leaf’s CEO, Chris Lischewski, to can the green talk and switch to ocean-friendly tuna.
LIVING GREEN NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD. Discover Rêve, a unique condominium community in the heart of the vibrant King West Entertainment District set amidst Toronto’s most irresistible selection of dining, shopping and nightlife. Step up to the Next Living Eco Suite by Tridel, a stunning penthouse suite with the latest environmentally friendly features and finishes, plus state-of-the art home and energy management technology.
greenpeace.ca/tunaaction
Choose from a selection of 2 bedroom+den and 2 bedroom+den with terrace suites now available for occupancy. Visit our Presentation Centre today to tour our Designer Decorated Model Suites. See how you can call Toronto’s most stylish green address home. Presentation Centre & Model Suites: 560 Front Street (Front & Portland). Call 416.514.2710 or visit us at tridel.com Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11 am – 7 pm, Friday closed, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, 12 pm – 6 pm
Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Illustrations are artist’s concept only. Tridel®, Tridel Built for Life®, Tridel Built Green. Built for Life.® are registered trademarks of Tridel and used under license. ©Tridel 2011. All rights reserved. E.&O.E. October 2011. 16561
2 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
tridel.com
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 3
Investing in a Green Future Written by Chris Winter I’m looking over some interesting polling data on public support for conservation (living better while using less). Turns out, we believe in it, we do it, and we want to do it more. Even more important, most people see “using less” as being crucial for the health of our society and economy. 86% felt using less had an important role in ensuring a healthy environment, 78% in ensuring a healthy economy, 69% in promoting public health and reducing health care costs, and 67% in lowering the cost of living (including food, energy, and housing). The results are in a poll of 1,000 people from across Ontario conducted by Oracle Poll Research for the Conservation Council of Ontario. It has a margin of error of + 3.1% 19/20 times. In Toronto, 90% of the respondents said that conservation was important to them. 55% of us would drive less if there were other convenient and safe options, like public transit or cycling. 70% of us want to live in walkable communities with easy access to stores and amenities. Concerning the role of government, only 12% of Ontarians support smaller governments, the number drops to zero in the City of Toronto. On taxation, only 14% of Ontarians called for lower taxes, and again that number drops to zero in Toronto. The City of Toronto launched Live Green Toronto four years ago to promote greener cities and neighbourhoods. One of their innovations was to invite community groups to bid on the contract for engaging the public. One contract, led by EcoSpark, has a team of nine “community animators” whose job is to help community groups take on green projects and engage their members.
Discover Sustainable Building! January 13-15:
Hands-on Learning with Expert Instructors * Full Time New Construction & Renovation Programs
How to Design Your Own Dream Green Home
Get Your Hands Dirty & Your Mind Engaged!
A workshop to help you understand all the options for your dream green home!
www.endeavourcentre.org 4 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
Live Green Community Animators at the Scarborough Green Fair, May 2011
Over the past three and a half years, the animators have reached nearly 25,000 groups, community organizations, institutions and individuals directly with information on how to green the City of Toronto. This work supported thousands of hours of volunteer effort, and a total of 106 greening projects with many more project ideas in the development stage. The animators also helped community partners to raise a total of over $1,000,000, for their projects, over half of which has come from funding sources other than the City of Toronto. The bottom line: because the City of Toronto has supported its voluntary sector, we have greener neighbourhoods, engaged citizens and over 90 city-wide organizations ready to pitch in and help Toronto become a more self reliant and greener City. The polling shows the public wants effective government programs that can help people cut costs and live better through a greener lifestyle. The Live Green Toronto community animation program has delivered exactly that. The contract, alas, is being terminated two years early as part of the City’s cost-saving measures.
Corrections to our Summer Issue 1. Missing Cover Credit: Ian Adamson, founder of Greenbelt Greenhouses in Gormley. 2. The PH levels of soap are usually below 11. 3. Method’s Sea Minerals’ liquid hand wash review should have read: 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.
Receive up to $650* when replacing your old central heating and cooling systems. With as much as 60% of your annual energy costs going towards heating and cooling your home, it makes sense to invest in energy-efficient central heating and cooling systems. With the saveONenergy HEATING & COOLING INCENTIVE, you can receive up to $650 on eligible replacement central heating systems† and ENERGY STAR® qualified central cooling systems purchased from and installed by a participating contractor. Most importantly, once your installation is complete, you can save up to $325†† a year on your electricity costs.
For full details and to find participating contractors, visit torontohydro.com/heatingandcooling or call 1.877.797.9473 today. Subject to additional terms and conditions found at torontohydro.com/heatingandcooling. *Incentives are available for installation of eligible equipment completed between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2011, and must be submitted no later than Feb. 1, 2012. Equipment must be purchased from and installed by a participating contractor. †Replacement furnaces must be highefficiency models with an electronically commutated motor (ECM). ††Annual electricity cost savings are estimated based on past program experience. Actual savings may vary. Funded by the Ontario Power Authority and offered by Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited. A mark of the Province of Ontario protected under Canadian trade-mark law. Used under sublicence. OMOfficial Mark of the Ontario Power Authority. Used under licence. The star design is a trade-mark of Toronto Hydro Corporation used under licence. ‘Toronto Hydro’ means Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited.
4. Denison’s Dunkel is a lager, not an ale. OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 5
Light Your Fire:
Indoor Air Quality: Neglected by Most Home Owners Written by Jim Harris
Cozying up to a green flame
Often neglected, indoor air quality is becoming more important to homeowners, especially during the winter months when most of our time is spent indoors. As building envelopes get tighter in order to improve energy efficiency, trapped air can cause numerous health problems, especially if allergenic spores caused by mould are floating in the air you breathe. Any time there’s water or moisture build up in your home, mould can ensue. Some of the more obvious sources of contamination include plumbing leaks or water entering the basement through the foundation. If your basement floods you need to address the root cause – such as controlling eaves trough run-off and ensuring that outdoor rainwater drainage is directed away from the house. Once you’ve dealt with the water’s entry source, then you need to make sure that any drywall in the basement is completely dried out – and that there’s no residual mould. This could require professional service, which may be quite costly, but you are controlling a potentially serious health detriment that could affect members of your family for some time. Indoor air contaminants aren’t always a result of moisture build-up. Look under your sink and, you’ll find a wide array of products with “toxic” or “corrosive” symbols on them. Although small quantities are considered harmless, repeat exposure to multiple toxic products can seriously affect the quality of air you breathe. Try to replace the toxic chemicals in your kitchen, bathroom or tool room by finding alternative cleaning products (see the Cleaners section of the Green Grocery Guide on page 18 or online @ GreenGroceryGuide.ca)
Another indoor air contaminant to beware of is Carbon Monoxide (CO). CO is a tasteless, odourless gas that is the result of impartial combustion. If you have a gas stove, make sure you turn on the venting fan when cooking. Install CO sensors in your home which you can purchase inexpensively at any major hardware store. If you’re warming your car up in the winter, make sure the garage door is open and the door to your home closed. Home furnaces usually last for 15-20 years. If you’re buying a new one, make sure you get a high efficiency model with a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) unit. An HRV allows for fresh air exchange and recovers the heat from the air it exhausts in winter and coolness from air vented in summer. That means you get the best of both worlds when it comes to fresh air and energy efficiency. Also ensure that the furnace unit also has a high quality filter – a HEPA filter is the most effective. You want to filter out dust and pollen both from the air circulating inside your home and the fresh air drawn from outside. Depending on the size of your home and the amount of pollen and dust the filter captures, you will need to change the filter every one to three years. Ensuring the best indoor air quality can be pretty simple, but very often, simply overlooked.
Nothing brings back warm memories like the smell of a crackling wood fire. But investing in old-fashioned charm may not be your only sustainable option. This winter, warm your home with biofuel options and lower energy bills.
Enviro-logs
1. Made from corrugated cardboard boxes used for fresh vegetables 2. Cardboard is shipped from vendors across Canada and US, including The Big Carrot, keeping waste out of landfills 3. Burns hotter and cleaner than firewood, even in wood stoves Bio-ethanol 1. Emits only heat, steam & CO2 but may emit slightly less heat than wood burning 4. Burns up to three hours or more 2. An absolute or denatured alcohol - produced by fermenting sugar and starch of 5. Safe for cooking plant by-products 3. No smoke, no need for chimney, no heat loss Wood (Biomass) Pellets 4. Need to invest in a bio-ethanol specific fireplace 1. Made from local waste such as sawdust, bark, corn husks, cherry pits, etc. 5. Carbon reduction is minimal, since so much processing is involved to create the 2. Affordable ethanol from corn. 3. Pellets are very heat efficient, but their production consumes more energy than 6. Food-fuel implications. “Ethanol from corn is a bad idea. Not only does it eat cutting firewood up a food crop, but it can take more energy to make than it produces.” 4. Transportation uses fossil fuels vs. wood from local, sustainably managed forests (Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit - Tom Rand) 5. Require pellet stoves, or the use of a pellet basket in your existing, wood-burn- ing fireplace or woodstove Green Logs 6. Require frequent maintenance and cleanup because of their shorter burn 1. Launched by VIASPACE, a U.S. clean energy company 2. Renewable biomass fuel released in 2010 Wood-Burning Options 3. Made from giant king grass, a fast-growing perennial plant with high energy yields 1. More efficient than than traditional natural gas burning fireplaces 4. This low-carbon hybrid grass produces fewer toxins than wood sources 2. Creosote buildup in chimneys - black, oily substance that accumulates in flue 5. Available at Lowes, Wal-Marts & Canadian Tire that can cause chimney fires and therefore requires annual cleaning 3. May not be sustainable if wood comes improperly managed native forests
Start preparing now to save money on your electricity bill this winter With winter just around the corner, now is the time to start looking at cost effective solutions to keep your home warm this winter without increasing your electricity bill. There are a number of energy efficiency tips that won’t cost a cent to put into action – others will; Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (“Toronto Hydro”) offers conservation programs to fit any budget.
Manage your bill with time shifting Time-of-Use (TOU) rates are designed to encourage customers to shift their electricity use to off-peak (or lower-cost) periods. Shifting your electricity use to lowercost periods and using less through conservation are the easiest actions to take to manage your bill.
Time-of-Use rates are changing Starting November 1, winter rates come into effect. Visit torontohydro.com/tou to learn about the changes. Customers should know that approximately 60 per cent of energy costs are tied up in heating and cooling and 20 per cent in hot water1; customers should consider
6 .OGH_FALL_to_hydro_editorial.indd OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 1
these helpful hints when heating their homes this winter:
. Set your thermostat a degree lower and save as much as 3 per cent of the energy your furnace uses. For the average electrically heated detached house, built before 1990, this one easy action could result in a savings of approximately $73.39 per year.2 Keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter and heat your home. Keep them closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. Clean your furnace filter every two months to increase its efficiency by up to 50 per cent.3 Redeem saveONenergy COUPONS for discounts on energy-efficient products, such as power bars and CFL light bulbs. These are downloadable at torontohydro.com/coupons and are redeemable at a variety at participating retailers. Use them before December 31, 2011. It all adds up! If your furnace is more than 20 years old, it may be costeffective to replace it. The saveONenergy HEATING & COOLING INCENTIVES program provides incentives up
. . .
to $650* to customers who replace their existing heating and cooling systems with eligible energy-efficient models through a participating contractor. Replacing a low-efficiency furnace with a high-efficiency unit can, reduce your home energy use by up to 20 per cent. The average 10-year-old furnace wastes as much as 45 per cent of the heat it produces. Newer natural gas furnaces are up to 98 per cent more efficient.4 Customers interested in learning more about their electricity consumption can sign up for Toronto Hydro’s TOU website (www.torontohydro.com/tou) to view their personal electricity usage on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. *Subject to terms and conditions found at torontohydro.com/conservation. 1 Source: Ministry of Energy 2 Source: Office of Energy Efficiency - Natural Resources Canada 3 Source: Greenest City 4 Source: City of Toronto
Up to $5,000 in ecoENERGY grants plus $1,450 Lennox rebates!* Book your Home Energy Audit today.
The star design is a trade-mark of Toronto Hydro Corporation used under licence. ‘Toronto Hydro’ means Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited.
19/10/11 9:42 AM
*Some conditions apply - limited time offers. Please call for details.
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 7
North America’s Greenest Hotel
Homeowner’s Guide to Rebates and Incentives If you could get some financial support to make your house more energy efficient and reduce the impact on the environment, would you?
Exterior Wall Insulation: Insulate a minimum of 20 percent of the total exterior wall area. From $225 up to $1,875
The ecoENERGY Retrofit–Homes program may help you realize your home retrofitting ambitions (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/grants). NRCan’s website states that the Government of Canada has committed a total of $1.14 billion for the ecoENERGY Retrofit–Homes program since 2007, and that there were retrofit incentives provided to “over 510,000 homeowners, saving 1.8 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.” As a result, “participants have, on average, reduced their energy consumption by over 20 per cent and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 3 tonnes per household.”
Basement: Insulate a minimum of 20 percent of the wall area of the foundation, including basement and crawl space walls. From $125 up to $1,250
NOVEMBER 17TH 2011 ONE KING WEST HOTEL TORONTO, CANADA
THE GREEN ECONOMY IS HERE. ARE YOU READY? Global investment in “clean” technology is exploding, the world’s largest corporations have embraced environmental sustainability and your customers are making purchasing decisions based on how ‘green’ your products or services are. What is your strategy? Last years summit was SOLD OUT in advance, don’t wait! Register now at
www.greenstrategysummit.com The 2011 SUMMIT is an initiative of
For Sponsorship Opportunities Contact Randy Tyrrell , Managing Director at 416-278-9275 or randytyrrell@torontogreenhouse.com
torontogreenhouse.com
twitter: @TOgreenhouse
Planet Traveler incorporates a half-dozen technologies (geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, drain water heat recovery, efficient lighting, and smart thermostats). In total, we were able to cut our carbon emissions by three-quarters, at a profit. The workhorse is the geothermal heating and cooling system, responsible for half the energy savings. Since the building takes up the entire footprint of the property, we asked the City of Toronto for permission to bury the mile-long piping in the City-owned laneway that runs alongside the building. As a result of our request, the City has opened up all City property – including parks – to geothermal. As far as I know, this is a world first. The rest is simple. Canadian solar thermal panels pre-heat our hot water, and passive copper heat-exchangers called “Powerpipes” grab heat for reuse in heating supply water. The LED lighting is so efficient, we can light up the entire building – inside and out – with less energy than is used by a four-slice toaster. Solar photovoltaic panels were installed under the FIT program, representing the only subsidy we’ve received. On hot summer days, when we’re at our maximum output, we’re reducing the demand on the overloaded transmission system feeding the downtown core. The spot price the City pays for electricity on those hot afternoons is well over the FIT rate. While some argue FIT for Solar’s economics, I beg to differ. We’ve shown that by leveraging just 5% of a building’s value, carbon emissions can be lowered by 75%, at a profit. This rough rule-ofthumb scales from a building our size right up to the TD towers downtown. It seems Canada could have met its Kyoto commitments just by retrofitting our building stock with Canadian engineering, Canadian technology, Canadian labour and community power.
Toilet: Replace your toilet with a low-flush or dual-flush toilet that meets the Uniform North American Requirements (UNAR). Up to $65 per toilet
Homeowners who have registered, completed qualified improvements and a Home Energy Assessment, and submitted applications by March 31, 2012 may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 from the Federal government. Here is a selection of some of the rebates that are available under this program:
Ontario Power Authority Programs, www.saveonenergy.ca
ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes Program
Fridge and Freezer Pick up: You can have your fridge or freezer picked up for free and recycled in an environmentally friendly way if it is 15 years or older. Save up to $125/year
Heating and Cooling Incentive: EnergyStar qualified central heating or cooling system when purchased from and installed by a participating contractor. Up to $650
Water Heating Equipment: Replace your existing space and domestic water heating equipment with a qualified integrated mechanical system (IMS). Up to $1,625
When the long-abandoned building at 357 College went up for sale, Anthony Aarts, my business partner and old college friend, saw a chance to build Toronto’s greatest hostel. When he approached me as financial backer, I saw a chance to build North America’s greenest hostel. The two visions came together as “Planet Traveler.”
Windows/Doors/Skylights: Replace your windows, doors or skylights with ENERGY STAR qualified models. Up to $40 per replacement
saveONenergy Coupons: These coupons can help you save money throughout the year when you purchase and install energy-efficient products for your home.
Wood Burning System: Replace your wood burning system or appliance with a more efficient appliance (e.g. pellet burning, masonry heater). Up to $375 per replaced.
microFIT Rooftop Solar PV: This program encourages the development of solar PV projects on existing permanent buildings. Receive 80.2 cents/kWh on a 20 year contract term. 80.2 cents/kWh - soon to be reduced. www.microfit.powerauthority.on.ca
Central A/C: Replace your central air-conditioning system with an ENERGY STAR A/C system. Up to $250 Window A/C: Replace your window A/C unit with a ductless mini-split or an Energy Star model. Up to $25 per unit replaced Water Heater: Replace your water heater with an ENERGY STAR and “ecoENERGY” qualified instantaneous, gas-fired water heater. Up to $315 Attic/Flat Roof/Cathedral Ceiling: Insulate a minimum of 20 percent of the total ceiling area. Up to $750
Manufacturers Rebates Most rebates are contingent on dealer participation. Check with your contractor or system supplier for additional rebates available directly from the manufacturers.
Save up to $5,000 in home improvements
and save on your energy bills! The ecoEnergy Retrofit-Home program has returned until March 2012. Act now to avoid disappointment. For more information and to book your ecoEnergy assessment contact us at 416-203-3106 or GreenSaver.org
Energy Audits
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Insulation
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Solar
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a licensed service organization
Energy Conservation In Action
Green Building Consulting
There’s a worthwhile economic stimulus! 8 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 9
Greening up your Kitchen (and its environmental footprint)
Written by Albert Kwon For most of us, the kitchen is the heart of our homes. But what does it take to make it truly healthy and sustainable? Between washing dishes, replacing old countertops and energy draining appliances, what happens in the kitchen can have a big impact on your home’s environmental footprint. We decided to take a look at the best ways to “greenovate” your kitchen.
Countertops & Backsplashes For those who are looking, eco countertop options are out there. Recycled glass countertops are a trend giving green kitchens a sharp new look. Companies such as EnviroGLAS and Icestone offer recycled glass countertops that are sustainable, durable and beautiful to look at. Richlite produces a paper-based countertop made from FSC-certified paper and phenolic resin, while Alkemi pushes the creative limits and casts post-industrial scrap aluminum into show-stopping surfaces.
Cabinets If you’re replacing cabinets, try finding a cabinetmaker who offers wheat board made from wheat straw combined with waste materials and non-toxic adhesives. If wood is your material of choice, check if it’s sustainably sourced or Forest Stewardship Council certified. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer’s Association’s “Environmental Stewardship Program” helps cabinet manufacturers demonstrate commitment to sustainability.
10 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
W h a t do you think of our green kitchen? Avoid wood composite or particle board as they may contain urea formaldehyde and off-gassing is a potential health hazard. When updating an existing kitchen, it may not be necessary to replace the entire cabinet frames. But if the cabinets have got to go, donate them to Habitat for Humanity’s Restores.
Appliances Kitchen appliances are major energy consumers, and one reason why greening your kitchen is a big undertaking. Making sure old and inefficient appliances are replaced with Energy Star certified machines will cut down energy consumption. Another tip, bigger is not always better. Shop to fit your needs and you’ll see the savings add up. Using a toaster oven in place of your regular oven or an electric kettle in place of the stove element will make a big difference over time.
Faucets A dripping tap can waste as much as 1 litre of water an hour. As our most valuable resource, we need to conserve water whenever possible. You can save a huge amount of water by installing low flow aerators that control water release. If you’re replacing
everything including the kitchen sink, invest in handsfree faucets. They keep you honest and are especially great if you have kids. Another water-saving tip, running a fully-loaded dishwasher is more efficient than hand-washing! Flooring There are some very chic options on the market, including “marmoleum” which is being touted as the new linoleum. Durable, biodegradable, with no off-gassing and having anti-bacterial properties from linseed oil, its only downside is that it ships from Europe. Cork is another option you may consider. It’s made from the outer layer of bark from a tree, leaving the inner layer so that the tree can regenerate. Paints and Varnishes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that can be released into the air and may affect your health. By finding low or no VOC paints, stains, finishes and glues, you can improve indoor air quality. Homestead House, 95 Niagara Street, goes a step further by offering natural paints, including “Milk Paint” made from powdered milk.
Euro-Line Appliances has been making Europe’s finest appliance brands available in Canada for over 20 years. Only lines that represent the best in class for energy efficiency, sustainable design and performance are selected. Many meet or exceed the stringent standards of RoHS and Energy Star ®. Euro-Line’s premium ventilation hoods, refrigerators, dishwashers, cooking and laundry appliances provide superior results and enduring quality. Visit our website to learn more about our Green Approach.
1.800.421.6332
|
www.euro-line-appliances.com
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 11
Assessing Your Green Contractor “Are they greenwashing themselves just to get the job?” asks Caricari. It’s the most important question homeowners should ask before they hire a green contractor. With dozens of builders to choose from, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you hire for your next green project.
Working with Builders & Contractors
Does the contractor have a holistic approach to green design? “Before you even get to construction,” says Carcari, “there’s the design aspect.” Caricari recommends ensuring that you understand the builders’ design philosophy and approach - and whether it matches your own goals and interests.
Building Sustainability into your Choices Written by Jessica Lockhart Nestled across the road from the sprawling suburban homes of Vaughan’s Vellore Village is the suburban home of the future. Like its counterparts, the Archetype Sustainable House, located at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, was designed to meet the cookie-cutter demands of the mass market. “It’s the archetype suburban answer to green homes,” explains David Nixon, Kortright’s Sustainable Technologies Monitoring Coordinator.
The house boasts countless green features including roof integrated solar photovoltaics, Forest Stewardship Council certified framing and a solar assisted ground source heat pump. It’s GreenHouse, Energy Star and LEED Platinum certified. In fact, the only certification it hasn’t been awarded yet is R-2000, an elite classification that only approximately 500 homes across Canada achieve each year. To tour the house leaves you with the feeling that building green is a daunting task. But while it would be difficult to meet all the specifications of the Archetype House, it may be easier than you think to build green choices into home improvement. Here are four simple steps to incorporating green living into your next construction or renovation project:
1. Evaluate your needs and set goals. “If you’re building for two people, do you really need a 10,000 square foot house?” asks Joseph Caricari, coowner of Toronto’s “G” Green Design Centre. That’s the same question John Bell, host of HGTV’s World’s Green12 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
est Homes, asked when he decided to make the move to green living. After five years in “an energy inefficient” 4,500 square foot home, Bell’s family of four downsized to a 2,600 square foot space. It was a decision that Bell estimates will save the family $3300 annually in utility bills. “Building a smaller house means we’ll consume less,” he says. With reduced storage space, every purchase the family makes is more thoroughly considered. Designing a smaller home also means less building materials are used during construction. For Nixon, the math is simple. “The maximum enclosed space with the minimum amount of material is the most sustainable home,” he says. Size isn’t the only important consideration during the assessment phase, though. Hiring an energy consultant to conduct a pre-reno energy audit will allow you to set goals and determine what grants you’re eligible for. “There’s a million things out there and you have to understand how the whole home works together,” explains Bell.
2. Design a home that’s meant to last. In a hot real estate market, focus tends to be placed on resale value, rather than lasting value. Nixon believes that when it comes to building green, this one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. “You need to think in terms of generations—not just the next five years,” he says.
In a hot real estate market, focus tends to be placed on resale value, rather than lasting value. Instead of constructing to minimum building codes, incorporating elements of passive design is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to achieve a green space. “How you orient a house, how you design the windows, walls and floors—it all goes together,” says Edward Edelstein, President of EcoGreen Homes. At the Archetype House, south-facing windows, high ceilings and a small roof reduce the building’s heat envelope.
Simply put, these factors are used to control heat loss and gain and ultimately to conserve energy. “It just makes sense,” explains Edelstein, who built his first passive solar home in 1987. “Why would you spend $5000 to heat your house, if you can spend $1000?” While the upfront investment of green homeownership is high, it’s a cost that will pay for itself in energy savings.
water heaters—it can seem far from easy to build sustainably. In order to determine if a product is sustainable, Carcari suggests taking a holistic approach. “Not everything can be 100 per cent green,” he says, explaining that how a product is manufactured, transported and installed should be taken into consideration. Concrete, for example, is often touted as an eco-friendly durable building material, but it also has an extremely high energy production cost. Reading labels carefully can also help with the decision-making process. A well insulated home is an energy efficient home, so choose materials with a higher R-value. For appliances, keep an eye out for EnerGUIDE and Energy Star labels. “Energy Star is a good validation tool,” says Andrew Pride, VicePresident Conservation at the Ontario Power Authority. “You’ll see energy savings year after year.” Finally, consider using recycled materials instead of buying new. At the Habitat for Humanity ReStores, you can purchase everything from windows and cabinets to chandeliers and fireplaces.
4. Build a space you’ll love.
With so many factors to consider, making the choice to build or renovate green can be overwhelming. And while the Archetype Sustainable House isn’t yet available in a subdivision near you, 3. Choose reclaimed, recycled and sustain- Nixon hopes that it will have the ability to influence builders and homeowners in their decisions. able materials. Before you run out to buy a solar panel or ultra low- “Maybe we can push what the market will accept,” flush toilet, it’s important to determine what exactly he says. “One-off green homes are great, but we it is that you want to achieve. “Building green” is a need green suburbs.” spectrum that ranges from simply using salvaged One thing is certain, though. While the phrase materials, to all-encompassing projects that consider “building green” may have once conjured up every step of the process, including how materials images of hobbit homes—dwellings carved into are produced and transported to the construction site. hillsides with little natural light—this is quickly “You can’t do everything. Pick a common theme and changing. Edelstein, for one, believes that in order work around it,” recommends Bell. for a home to stand the test of time—the true sign With endless options for building materials— of a sustainable home—it has to be a building that ranging from sustainable flooring and recycled its owners love. “In my opinion,” he says, “unless countertops, to heat exchangers and tankless it’s beautiful, it’s not green.”
Are they willing to explain the process? “Communication is totally huge,” says Caricari. While it’s vital to educate yourself as a homeowner, contractors should also be willing to answer any questions you may have about materials, technologies and processes. Will they provide a list of materials? Kevin Royce of Eco-Building says, “Building materials can release harmful voloatile organic compounds, (VOCs) including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene, isocyanates, xylene and benzene, into your living space. Ask your builder to provide a list of materials by name brand or source with your quote so that you can research their selections.” Are they willing to meet the requirements of rebate or certification programs? “Homeowners should ask their contractors if they participate in the Government of Canada’s energy efficiency initiatives for new homes,” recommends Jennifer Talsma, Account Manager at Energy Resources Canada. With a number of government incentives available to help reduce the upfront costs of green home ownership (such as Natural Resources Canada’s ecoENERGY Retrofit Program), determine if your contractor is knowledgeable about the guidelines and the application process. And if they’re not, find out if they’re willing to learn about and meet grant criteria. For certain programs, registration and pre-reno energy audits are required and contractors must be able to meet strict technical requirements. For example, in order to earn R-2000 designation, builders must be specially trained and licensed. Are they going the extra mile? Ask your contractor what happens to waste materials created during construction. Are they sorted into bins and sent to facilities to be recycled? How are workers getting to the construction site? Are the materials they are using durable? The answers they give may provide further insight into whether they’re truly interested in sustainability —or just their bottom-line.
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 13
Welcome to the Green Appliance Guide, where we help you compare top-rated “green” machines and select those that are most energy and water efficient and ecologically and socially responsible. All items selected have drawn our attention for their demonstration of commitment to sustainability, innovation and energy efficiency. www.greenapplianceguide.ca
REFRIGERATORS Of all household appliances, the refrigerator is the king when it comes to energy consumption. Even so, the amount of energy used by refrigerators has decreased by 50 per cent over the last 20 years. Natural Resource Canada attributes this decrease to better insulation, compressors and seals on modern fridges. If you have an old fridge kicking around, it is probably cost-effective to replace it and take advantage of the Ontario Power Authority’s (OPA’s) free disposal program. When refrigerator shopping, make sure you check for energy saving features such as independent temperature controls for the fridge and freezer compartments. Also, look for a fridge that has an energy-saver mode. Beware that some fancy features can add to, rather than decrease, your energy costs. For example, ice-makers and water dispensers add an additional cost that will show up on your bills. Also keep in mind that it is more efficient to run one large fridge rather than two small ones. Did you know that an empty fridge uses more energy than a full one? Before heading off on vacation, try putting water-filled jugs in empty compartments. This improves your fridge’s energy efficiency and can also work as a stop gap method to protect the food in your freezer during a power outage. Another oper-
Evaluation Criteria
Certifications and Labels
Production Process Transportation Energy Star
Information Not Available
Kosher Certified
EU Energy Label
Recommended
CEE
EICC
Pass
Members of the European Committee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers
Concern
RoHS
Warning
CSA Certified
HE
Resources
Learn more about our methodology and different grocery certifications at ourgreenhome.ca www.greenggroceryguide.ca GAG_FALL_certifications.indd
This bottom drawer refrigerator gives you the option to adjust the temperature in both the fridge and freezer sections. All of Maytag’s EcoConserve models exceed the Energy Star qualifications by 10 per cent. Whirpool’s 2005 acquisition of Maytag has led to a switch from gas-powered to electric trucks and forklifts in distribution and manufacturing.
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This large capacity bottom drawer refrigerator contains GE’s FrostGuard™ technology which senses when the freezer door is open and only defrosts when necessary. This feature prolongs the life of the fridge, while decreasing your energy bills. GE has been retrofitting its refrigerator manufacturing plants to use a less toxic blowing agent called “cyclopentane” as insulation.
$$ LG 20 Cu. Ft Bottom Mount Refrigerator, White
Caution
14 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
Maytag® EcoConserve™ Bottom Mount
GE 22.8 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator with Pull-out Drawer
Energy Efficiency
Evaluations
ating efficiency tip is to ensure that your fridge is not too tightly packed, as this stops the circulation of air and creates pockets of warm air in your cooling system. The age old question is whether you should invest in a side-by-side or topand-bottom fridge model. The coldest part of your fridge is normally found at the bottom, and this would suggest freezer on the bottom is ideal. However, as Dr. James Gray-Donald from Sears Canada pointed out, the difference is fairly negligible. His best advice is to buy an Energy Star fridge that fits your needs and is set to an appropriate temperature. He also points out that the compressor coils at the back of your fridge should to be cleaned or dusted every year.
1
Office of Energy Efficiency: www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Qualified:www.cee1.org European Union (EU) Energy: www.ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/labelling
03/11/11 9:21 PM
This economical appliance uses accurate digital temperature controls for the fridge and freezer. Like GE, LG also uses cyclopentane as an eco-friendly method for blowing insulation. A great feature is the built-in door alarm that sounds when the fridge door is left open for more than a minute. GE performs life cycle analysis on their products to ensure their products are environmentally friendly and efficient.
$ OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 15
GE 20 Cu. ft. Top Freezer No-Frost RefrigeratorRefrigerator
Amana 18.5 cu. ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator This model is manufactured just south of the border, under the Whirlpool umbrella. It may not boast all the features found in some fridges, but is both Energy Star and CSA certified, making it efficient and reliable. The Amana includes the option to adjust the temperatures for the fridge and freezer independent of each other, and has an automatic defrost function to reduce freezer burn and prolong the life of the machine.
At just 403 kWh/year, this economical GE model also has a very low EnerGuide rating. Non-frost technology works to prolong the life of the appliance by automatically defrosting the coils to reduce ice buildup. GE collects and recycles 90 per cent of old refrigerators, working alongside Appliance Recycling Centers of America to recycle not only the fridges, but also the insulation and the harmful gas contained within it.
$
Whirpool® ENERGY STAR® Qualified Top-Freezer Refrigerator
This Maytag model has a low price tag, but is just as energy efficient as their bottom mount refrigerator. Using only 393 kWh/year, this Energy Star certified appliance has accessible temperature control. In addition, Whirlpool is a part of SmartWay Transport Partnership which works to transport their products in the most energy efficient manner available.
$
Liebherr This large capacity side-by-side refrigerator features energy efficient LED lighting which emits less heat then standard bulbs. Along with being energy certified this fridge also has the option of using Sabbath mode for families respecting their Jewish traditions. This fridge is put together at an ISO 14001 certified production site and complies with the European RoHS Standards.
This higher end LG model has all the bells and whistles when it comes to energy efficiency features. The door alarm works to ensure fluctuations in temperature are minimized. In addition, the fridge has digital temperature controls that are both functional and efficient. This is a large capacity fridge that uses cyclopentene during the manufacturing process making it an ideal, environmentally friendly machine for larger families.
Samsung® 18 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator - White Samsung’s bottom drawer appliance has Twin Cooling Systems® which work to maintain the temperature in both compartments. This refrigerator also features eco-friendly LED lights, which last longer and emit less heat than other light sources. This ensures that the health of your food is never affected by the lights. The fridge features a two minute alert in case the door is accidentally left open.
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Electrolux Standard-Depth Side-By-Side Refridgerator With Q-Touch™ Controls Electrolux’s alarm system not only informs you if the door has been left open for more than 20 minutes, but also when the temperature inside rises above 13.3 degrees Celsius. This side by side model uses more energy than the top and bottom models, however it is both Energy Star certified as well as Star-K (Kosher) Certified. This means, when the machine is put in Sabbath mode, it can still be used by the Jewish consumer.
$$$ 16 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
$$$ Tier II
Maytag Black - 19 cu. ft. Top Mount Refrigerator
$
$$$
This large scale counter-depth fridge has a larger price tag but its efficiency and improved technology makes it worth the price. In addition to being Tier II and Energy Certified, Miele has four different cooling zones keeping your food fresh longer. Miele’s alarm system will alert the owners wirelessly if there is a power outage or if the fridge has been left open, improving the safety and efficiency of the food and fridge.
$
This appliance uses the least amount of energy of all those listed in the Green Appliance Guide, consuming only 364 kWh/year. It is no surprise that Whirlpool was recognized as the 2011 Energy Star Manufacturer of the Year. This award was not the first, but rather the eighth won by Whirlpool, during the ten years of the award’s existence.
LG 22 Cu. ft. Bottom Mount Refrigerator, Stainless
Miele Independence Series
$$$ Sub-Zero This built-in model is energy certified, with the capacity to use less energy than a 100 watt light-bulb. This Star-K Kosher certified fridge is built just south of the border, decreasing transportation costs significantly. Half the plastic used in Sub-Zero fridges, and all their other appliances are from recycled material. And all refrigerant used in manufacturing is recovered.
$$$ Tier I Samsung - 23 Cu. ft. Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator This counter-depth twin cooling system fridge manages to maintain a consistent temperature of the food with an easyto-access external digital display and control. It features energy efficient LED interior lighting and a CoolSelect Pantry™ Drawer which provides you with the option to store food at a different temperature than the other sections.
Kenmore (R)/MD 18.5 Cu. Ft. Bottom Mount Refrigerator Awarded 2011 Energy Star Retailer of the year Kenmore, Sears’ exclusive appliance brand has a very energy efficient bottom freezer drawer fridge. This model has a wider capacity to include two large crispers to keep produce fresh for a long period of time. It was featured in Sears’ Eco-Catalogue, which presents their selection of environmentally friendly appliances. As well, Sear’s mode of transportation is EPA SmartWay certified.
$$$ Tier III Kenmore (R)/MD 18.2 Cu. Ft. Top Mount Refrigerator This smaller sized top-mount economical Kenmore fridge’s rated energy use is 383 kWh/year. The frost-free fridge ensures there is no buildup of ice in the freezer thereby increasing the life of the fridge. Sears’ Live Green™ campaign demonstrates their commitment to the environment throughout all their departments (e.g. Sear’s mode of transportation is EPA SmartWay certified). Their Cost and Carbon Savings calculator, available online and in-store, allows homeowners to determine how much money they can save in energy by replacing their old appliances.
$
Tier I
GE Cafe™ 20.7 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator GE’s counter depth model has a ClimateKeeper™ System which provides separate, stable cooling of each section of your fridge through an easy-to-read electronic system. Their TurboCool™ setting brings down and evens the temperature of your fridge after it has been opened. GEhas been implementing their Ecomagination initiatives, which include the use of cyclopentane instead of harmful CFCs in their refrigerators.
$$$ We Want It!
$$$ Tier I
ENERGY MATH - Refrigerators Why replace that old fridge? As you try to keep warm this fall, it’s good to know how to freeze the cost of running your refrigerator before the big chill sets in. In fact, fridges take up a sixth of all energy costs in a household If your machine was made before 2008 it can actually be more cost efficient to replace it than to keep it running. Most municipalities have developed recycling and pick-up programs for the proper disposal of fridges. Ontario Power Authority (OPA) offers “The Great Refrigerator Roundup,” a program which allows you to book a time, at www.everykilowattcounts.com, for free pickup of your old refrigerator. According to the OPA, for every 10 to 12 old fridges that have been removed and properly recycled, the amount of energy saved is equivalent to removing one average Ontario home from the electrical grid! The good news is that most modern fridges are Energy Star approved. A lowefficiency refrigerator uses approximately 387 kWh per year. Here’s the math on the incurred costs during the lifetime of a low energy fridge. .
Table 1: Refrigerator’s Second Price Annual Electricity Average Ontario Consumption Electricity Rate
Annual Electricity Cost
Machineʼs Lifespan
Second Price Tag
1993-2000 Refrigerator
800 kWh/year
$0.1001/kWh
$80.08
17 years
$1361.36
Energy Star Refrigerator
387 kWh/year
$0.1001/kWh
$38.74
17 years
$658.56
So replacing that old fridge can save you $700 based on today’s electricity prices, Right size that big old fridge with slimmer model and you’ll save more. As for configuration, according to Natural Resources Canada, side-by-side fridge models use more energy than the standard, and ever more popular, bottom drawer freezer model. Regardless of your fridge’s type and age, a major energy-eater is setting it to an unnecessarily cold temperature and range. For the fridge section, the temperature should be between 1.7 degrees and 3.3 degrees, while the freezer should be about minus 18 degrees. These settings will keep your food fresh and your energy costs low. Time
Winter Hours and Prices
Off-Peak
9pm – 7am
Mid-Peak
11am – 5pm 8.9¢/kWh
On-Peak
7am-11am & 5pm – 9pm 10.7¢/kWh
5.9¢/kWh
Toronto residents, it’s easy. Put unwanted electronics out on garbage day for collection and safe recycling. More info at WeWantIt.ca OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 17
Cleaning Products: LISTINGS Bio-Vert All Purpose Cleaner
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 health. You’ll find many more product categories at www.greengroceryguide.ca.
CLEANING PRODUCTS When we set out the cleaning products, mops and air fresheners, we may not actually be making our homes any healthier. According to the US EPA, levels from pollutants indoors can be more than 100 times higher than outdoors. One reason for this indoor pollution is all the cleaning products we use, and some of the most common products are the most harmful. Most antibacterial sprays contain denatured ethanol, which can cause central nervous system depression, and alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, a known pesticide. These ingredients can also be found in some perfumes and hand sanitizers and have shown detrimental effects to humans and animals in high concentrations. Most glass cleaners contain glycol ethers that have been shown to cause reproductive side-effects as a result of frequent exposure. Most air fresheners contain GreenHomesFall:BigCarrot_GreenHomes 10/3/11 2:33 PM 1 formaldehyde, which is highly toxic, and phenol, a chemical thatPage can cause cold sweats, convulsions, and circulatory collapse, among other things.
There are currently 17,000 petrochemicals available for home use, and only 30 per cent have been tested for exposure to human health and the environment. These products cause endless harm to the environment when their plastic packaging ends up in landfills or worse, when the toxic material itself is poured down the drain and into the water stream.
There are currently 17,000 petrochemicals available for home use, and only 30 per cent have been tested for exposure to human health and the environment. The healthier bet for your home and the planet is to buy eco-friendly products with biodegradable packing (or concentrate refills) with ingredients you can pronounce. With a little research you can learn how to make tried and true cleaning products that can be just as effective, and cheaper, than store bought solutions.
The Bio-Vert website lists some very generic ingredients for the All Purpose Cleaner, including “non-ionic surfactant” and “preservative.” Although they may be harmless, the exact composition of these ingredients is unclear. Bio-Vert has put substantial effort into package design and composition. Their nearly square bottles allow for compact packing and efficient shipping in 2010. In 2010, they switched to 25% recycled content packaging and reduced their plastic consumption by 40 tonnes/yr.
Eco Mist Kitchen Plus Cleaner This cleaner contains easily pronounceable ingredients such as “corn” and “tree sap.” No Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training is required for home or industrial use. Eco Mist claims their products are safe enough to drink, and in fact their President has done this! All labels are printed with vegetable ink, and the use of square bottles allows for efficient transport via truck. Eco Mist offers a wide range of household and industrial cleaners.
Kim’s Home Services Since 2008, Kim Haverkort has been cleaning homes with old-fashioned cleaners that she makes using ingredients all purchased locally at grocery and health food stores. She found conventional cleaning products were causing headaches and coughs. Her cleaners now contain things your grandmother might have used, including vinegar, organic dish soap and essential oils. Kim also offers cleaning starter kits available by request via her email: kkhaver@hotmail.com. Kim’s Glass Cleaner Recipe 1. In a 32oz spray bottle, combine 1/3 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 tablespoon organic dish detergent, and 2-3 drops of verbena essential oil. 2. Shake thoroughly until all detergent has dissolved. 3. Fill remainder of bottle with distilled water, but leave enough room to shake. 4. Use cleaner with old newspaper to wipe down glass surfaces
New Categories! Look for coffee and canned tuna online.
Nature Clean All Purpose Cleaner
Evaluation Criteria
Relevant Certifications
Ingredients
Organic Leaders for 28 Years!
Production Method Packaging
We are Canada’s 1st vegetarian deli to offer over 40 in-house certified organic dishes, baked goods and desserts daily. As Ontario’s leading certified organic retailer, we believe that organic is the best choice for our plates and our planet!
Evaluations
Natural Food Market
Warning
416.466.2129
Caution
Wholistic Dispensary
Pass
416.466.8432
348 Danforth Ave. 1 block west of Chester subway
www.thebigcarrot.ca Mon-Fri 9-9 • Sat 9-8 • Sun 11-6
18 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
Distance Traveled
Bullfrog Power
Leaping Bunny
Eco Cert
Quality Assurance International Certified Organic
Nature Clean uses recyclable packaging and offers full disclosure of ingredients used in its products. The company is 100% Bullfrog powered, and all but one of their products are manufactured in Canada. However, Nature Clean’s All Purpose Cleaner does contain sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. Although this ingredient is not officially a “baddie,” it has been shown to release formaldehyde and cause minor skin irritations.
Availability Disposability
Green Cricket All Purpose Cleaner 18L Bulk Kosher
Fair Trade
Local Food Plus
EcoLogo
Recommended Learn more about our methodology and different grocery certifications at ourgreenhome.ca
Green Cricket offers a variety of bulk-style household cleaners. These come in 18 litre, recyclable, plastic jugs that are wrapped in a cardboard cases. This significantly reduces their shipping emissions in comparison to the exact same quantity of cleaner shipped in conventional packaging. Green Cricket’s All Purpose Cleaner contains sodium hydroxide, which is toxic at certain concentrations.
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 19
CHOCOLATE Photos for Delight, Giddy Yo-Yo, Chocolateria and Soma choclates taken by Celeste Cassel de Camps.
It’s hard to imagine something as delicious as chocolate having a dark side, but this yummy treat isn’t always guilt-free. In Canada last year, nearly $47 million worth of cocoa products were imported. Chocolate can’t be grown locally because cacao will not grow in the Canadian climate. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that your treat is not only delicious but better for the planet. Start by looking for fair trade certification. This type of chocolate stems from particular cocoa farmers that are guaranteed fair wages and working conditions that won’t expose them to harmful chemicals and conditions. It also means their farming methods limit environmental impact. The Fairtrade Certified logo indicates that a product meets international fair trade standards set out by the Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International. Since conscious consumers began demanding more environmentally and socially responsible products, large companies such as Hershey’s and Nestle have taken note. So next time you need a choco-fix, reach for a responsible option. It may not alleviate the damage to your waistline, but it certainly will have less harmful effects on the planet.
Delight Handmade Chocolates Delight sells handmade organic and fair trade chocolates and ice cream at their Queen West location. Chocolate sourced from La Siembra cooperative, a leading North American Fair Trade organization, is turned into delectable confections that will Delight Torontonians and visitors alike.
Camino Mint Dark Chocolate Camino’s philosophy is simple; in everything they do, they strive to have a positive impact on people and the planet. While the featured Mint Dark Chocolate bar is made in Switzerland, Camino has recently launched a line of chocolate bars made in Peru, where cocoa is originally sourced. This means more revenue remains in hands of farmers and their local communities. In Camino’s packaging, the polypropylene inner wrapper contains more renewable resources than traditional aluminum wrappers. Camino also offers a variety of organic and fair trade juices and coffee.
Giddy Yoyo Raw Chocolate Ginger Bar In a facility located just outside of Orangeville, this chocolate is made with certified organic ingredients and a focus on energy efficient practices. While Giddy Yoyo is not fair trade certified, they have direct relationships with their cocoa farmers and pay above standard fair trade rates. They use biodegradable shipping containers and all chocolate wrappers are made of recycled paper. Giddy Yoyo produces a range of raw chocolate bars, super-foods and sprouts.
Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co.
Cheese is the second oldest culinary family after wine. Both occurring naturally (albeit highly benefitted with guidance from affineurs and winemakers), and both are delectable together because the natural acids in the wine react with vestigial fats of cheese. Quite literally, the two were made for each other, and when done sustainably and in a “vin naturel” style, we can really appreciate the terroir of both. An Ontarian cannot mention “sustainability” and “cheese” in the same sentence without also mentioning Petra Cooper, founder of Fifth Town Artisan Cheese in Prince Edwards County. With a Platinum LEED accredited manufacturing facility and the only Platinum LEED dairy in the world, using milks sourced from Local Food Plus certified county sheep and goats (humanely treated, naturally raised animals eating natural feed), Fifth Town’s vision exemplifies delicious and local. Fifth Town has built a wide distribution network of specialty retailers, major grocers’ deli sections and direct sales at farmers’ markets. The challenge Fifth Town is facing under the current leadership of Christine Legein is keeping up with demand. As an owner/operator of a café Taste Wine & Cheese Bar, I have used Fifth Town’s cheeses for years, often pairing them with wines from Prince Edward County. Here are six such pairings:
At ChocoSol, pedal power is used to grind the chocolate used in their Sinfully Raw Vanilla bar. The packaging used is 100% biodegradable and, better yet, litterless for those who bring their own containers to ChocoSol’s downtown headquarters or one of their stalls at local farmers markets. ChocoSol’s line of chocolate drinks and chocolate bars are made with cocoa that is “horizontally traded”, which means directly traded with farmers who are also paid above standard fair trade wages.
The Chocolateria Sea Turtles Located in Roncesvalles, this chocolate maker creates delicious confections ranging from chocolate dipped potato chips to sea turtle-shaped chocolates and salted caramels. They use minimal and recycled packaging whenever possible, and are known to encourage customers to eat right in the store! The Chocolateria carries several types of organic chocolate bars.
Cape Vessey Back to goats’ milk, this firmer cheese has a chewier coppery rind from it being aged/washed before release. At first taste the mouth is almost assailed by an aggressive composition of minerals, salts and herbaceousness, but the finish is rich and rewarding. Matches well with the fruit-cored Huff Estates 07 Merlot.
Bonnie & Floyd Washing this sheep’s milk cheese weekly imparts mineral salts near the surface only. The flavour and texture blossom and become richer, sweeter and nuttier towards the core. This more delicate offering does well with the lighter complexities of Trumpours’ Mill 09 Gamay.
firm style pressed cheeses we have: Lighthall Tomme
soft/surface ripened category we have: Nettles Gone Wild
ChocoSol Traders Sinfully Raw Vanilla bar
washed-rind category we have:
A goats’ milk cheese disk topped with the leaves of the stinging nettle plant. The taste is full, round, with an earthy mineral quality, and a texture that seems to amplify the richness of the finish. Pair with Norman Hardie’s 08 Cabernet Franc to showcase limestone integrated minerality.
Counting Sheep A sheep’s milk cheese that rewards your patience, for when it ages a few weeks it becomes richness incarnate! Small hints of dried citrus within the wonderful fats that glide across your palette. Savour with the grippier food-friendly acids of The Grange of Prince Edward’s 07 Pinot Noir.
Goat done right! Complex integration of smooth nuttiness and elegant salts, a mouthfeel that wakes the taste-buds and is a wonderfully evolving flavour experience. Brings to the fore the fruit characteristics of Closson Chase 08 County Chardonnay.
Wishing Tree Our selection finishes with a hard sheep cheese akin to a Spanish Manchego. Depth of character invokes mixed nuts and a wet-stone/mineralistic soil. Richer sweetness over the mild salt requires the complexity of Rosehall Run’s 08 Cabernet Franc.
Written by Jeremy Day
Soma Truffles Soma chocolate is not exclusively fair trade and organic, but they do adhere to these standards in many of their chocolate confections. Their chocolate is specifically sourced from regions where responsible practices may be used, but farmers cannot afford certification. They also source from places such as Haiti to help farmers create a viable business through chocolate. Soma strives to reduce packaging whenever possible and their truffle boxes are completely biodegradable. Soma offers a range of truffles, pralines and gelato made with Ontario fruit.
20 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011 . 21
Furniture & Lighting Greentea Design - 388 Carlaw Avenue (www.greenteadesign.com) Green isn’t just part of Greentea Design’s name - its part of their philosophy. Wood is the very heart of their business, and they do everything possible to support sustainable forestry and responsible use, beginning with the selection of wood. Large beams are reclaimed from older structures like country homes, barns and warehouses in Korea. This ensures that no trees are felled and that the wood is already seasoned. The wood is then milled and sent to a Korean cabinetry shop where they hand-build everything – meaning each piece is unique!
(www.fiberliving.com) Every piece of Fiber’s indoor furniture is unique and completely handmade from materials that come directly from nature. Skilled craftsmen turn these raw materials into high quality products of exceptional quality and durability.
Melody Chair Fiber currently uses three different types of natural materials in the production of their furniture; water hyacinth, seagrass, and rattan. The Melody chair can be produced in any of these materials. Water hyacinth’s green leaves are considered an environmental problem in Asia. The plant entirely covers lakes and rivers, has a dramatic impact on water flow, and causes problems for marine transportation and fishing. It also blocks sunlight from reaching native aquatic plants, often leading to problems for fish as it can double its surface area within two weeks.
Mallacca Floor Lamp Made from solid reclaimed cherry wood, this cylindrical design displays elegance in every curve. Reminiscent of hanging lanterns in a pavilion long ago, this lamp adds beauty to any room.
Elm Burl Step Chest This chest boasts plenty of opportunity for display. The doors and drawers are crafted from Burl wood, while the frame features swirling Elm grain. The Step Chest has varied storage capacity accessible from both sides, making perfect room dividers, and since they each consist of three pieces, you can reconfigure to your space and preferences.
Condobox - 232 King St. E (http://condobox.ca) Sustainability, to Condobox, means working with and supporting the community. Condobox works with local artisans and orders 80% of their products from Canadian companies. Their “Open Box Charity” recycles furniture and gives back to those in need.
Recycled Material Lamp These lamps are made by Scott Leder, a local artist in Toronto. “Each lamp I do is one of a kind. This base is a reclaimed and restored tripod that originated from South Africa circa. 1900. The original finish was restored with hand applied oil.”
Upcycled Barnwood Table A one-of-a kind table made by AG Living from Vancouver, B.C. The recycled Barnwood Table is a beautiful addition to any room in the home.
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Fiber Living - 58 Berkely Street
SEARS OFFERS CANADA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF ENERGY STAR ® QUALIFIED MAJOR APPLIANCES
Redux Tub: Modern Antiquity – For sale on Etsy (www.etsy.com/listing/67087773) Designed and built by Eric Stewart, these “tub couches” are definitely a conversation starter. Each tub comes with its own unique history and they are the ultimate in up-cycling. The Redux Tub cushions are made from 100% Soy based BioPlush foam manufactured in Toronto, while the fabric is made of recycled polyester blends. The exterior paint is Benjamin Moores Aura Low VOC paint which meets very stringent green paint standards. The designer will also customize your Redux Tub to match the decor of your home.
Win a $250 gift certificate from Fiber Living!
*
PRICE PROTECTION PLUS Find it for less anywhere else and we’ll beat it. Even up to 60 days later**
“Like” our Facebook post on Facebook or email giveaway@ourgreenhome.ca to enter. *Full
contest details online
* Fridges and freezers must be 15 years of age or more, in working condition and between 10-27 cubic feet.
Proud to be Canada’s ENERGY STAR Retailer of the Year four years in a row!
**Applies to the lowest advertised price on appliances, mattresses, furniture, sewing machines and vacuums. Some conditions apply. See store for details.
22 . OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 2011
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PM . 23 OUR GREEN HOME . FALL 04/11/11 2011 4:06