Carbon Busters’ enviro policy
At Carbon Busters we walk the talk. We are strongly committed to reducing our ecological footprint and are working to achieve zero-net emissions.
Carbon Busters submits yearly VCR reports (Voluntary Challenge and Registry) that outline our emissions, savings, targets and policies. You can download our VCR reports here (VCR report 2003 PDF 656 KB; VCR report 2004 PDF 17.7 MB).
Carbon Buster Office Policies:
Many energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits were implemented soon after occupancy of the current office began. Light levels were determined in each office and lights were delamped when light levels exceeded the recommended guidelines. Pull switches were installed to give individual employees control over their workspace rather than having all office lights on just a few light switches. All incandescent light bulbs were replaced with compact fluorescent light bulbs. A motion sensor was installed in the copy room and programmable timers were installed for the water fountain, fish aquarium, etc. Dark blue office walls were repainted with a bright and friendly yellow that reflects light back into the room. The R-value of all windows was increased by adding a layer of plastic window insulation. All electronic equipment have power bars and are shut off at night. Night-, weekend- and holiday temperature set-backs were optimized through a programmable thermostat.
• Carbon Busters has achieved Gold Level reporting status for its VCR reports for 2003 and 2004
• Carbon Busters has a sustainable shopping policy in place for purchasing office supplies and appliances. This policy directs employees to purchase environmentally superior products even if up to 20% more expensive
• all office copier and printer paper is recycled and usually with a 100% post-consumer content.
• 70% of all office computers are energy efficient laptop computers
• all staff are required to track their carbon emissions resulting from work-related travel
• incentive program for staff using alternative transportation for their commute since 2004
• extensive recycling program
• composting as well as vermi-composting
• 100% Hybrid Car Fleet for province-wide business travel
• an overseas transportation policy requires employees to use public transportation while on business trips whenever possible. If unable to use public transportation due to accessibiliity issues or heavy luggage employees must obtain the most energy-efficient rental car possible
• increase public awarness on issues such as energy and climate change by particpating at community events such as Earth Day.
To achieve zero-net emissions Carbon Busters will be initiating the “Delighting Edmonton” project in 2005. Carbon Busters will be donating compact fluorescent light bulbs to the Livia Stoyke Foundation for distribution to homes in need in the Edmonton area.
Staff commitment:
• in 2004, 6 out of 10 employees qualified for the 50$ gift certificate for using alternative transportation to get to and/or from work. 4 employees chose car pooling as preferred method of transportation and 2 employees biked a total of over 1,600 km last summer, leaving their cars at home.• 2 employees live off the grid in a solar-powered house
• 100% of the staff have taken the One-Tonne-Challenge and the David Suzuki Nature Challenge
• 1 employee participated in the EnerGuide house evaluation and was able upgraded a 20 year-old furnace with a high efficiency furnace
• all employees have access to plastic insulation at no cost to increase the R-value of their windows at home
• Carbon Busters installed a bike rack in 2003 to encourage workers to bicycle to work.
• tools such as the Watts-Up meter or the light-meter help employees keep track of their energy use at home
• employees use a local dry cleaning shop that uses a mild saop in conjunction with liquefied carbon dioxide, this process does not require solvents.
