Earth Day April 21st, 2019

April 2019 A Special Supplement to the

y a D !

h t r E8a WAYS to Boost Your Bottom

Line The various ways going

green can save you money

Make Mealtime More Eco-friendly 4 handy tips to help in the kitchen

On the Road to a Healthier Planet

How to become a more eco-friendly motorist

View this section online by scanning this code or @ www.timescolonist.com/ Special-sections

Day

2 Earth

April 2019 •

How to be an eco-friendly

motorist

The benefits

of choosing solar energy

H

D

riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity.

But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel.

Plan trips in advance.

In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home.

Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.

Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 5,000 kilometres, while others may advise tires be rotated every 8,000 kilometres. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result.

Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon

footprints. Drivers who want their driving to be as ecofriendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuelefficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.

Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbours with whom they can carpool.

Begin by posing a carpool to co-workers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if co-workers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great way for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.

ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the federal government reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 per cent since 2004.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved

payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country.

Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum.

The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.

• April, 2019

EarthDay 3

Waste not...

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable.

Want not

M

ost households in our community throw away more than a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries that could have been eaten up every year — mostly because they either don’t store their food properly or use it up in time.

Although kitchen scraps were banned from Hartland Landfill in 2015, reducing food waste in our region continues to be a priority area for pollution prevention.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable and, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, this volume of wasted food adds up to 8% of human-caused greenhouse gases — roughly the same as road transportation — due to the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package and transport food.

Families across the capital region can cut down on their own avoidable food waste by planning out their grocery trips and portion sizes, storing their food properly and making sure to use everything up before it goes bad.

Together, we can stop wasting food. Visit crd.bc.ca/lovefood for food storage tips, recipe ideas for past-prime fruits and vegetables and the real deal on ‘best before’ dates.

The perils of

A

bottled water

ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization

that provides reliable water projects to communities

in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the

consumption of bottled water has led some communities in

both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that

p o t s let’s d o O f TinG

Was

80 per cent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately

end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred

years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet post-production. The environmental

group One Green Planet notes that the production and

transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate,

or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While

consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is

enough to offset the environmental cost of their production

and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be

recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered

63% of household food waste is avoidable. e.

recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers

concerned about their bottled water consumption should

For food storage tips, recipes and more:

know that reusable water bottles are not only more ecofriendly, but also much more cost-effective.

lovefoodhatewaste.ca

Day

4 Earth

April 2019 •

Weatherizing

to save money and energy

H

omeowners know that maintaining a comfortable home can be a lot of work. As one project is completed or addressed, another may pop up. In spite of the hard work that can go into maintaining a home, many homeowners would agree that such efforts are well worth it to feel safe and comfortable inside one’s own home.

Weatherization is one of the ways to make a home more comfortable while also saving money and energy. Some weatherization projects may be best left to the professionals, while others can be tackled by homeowners themselves.

The following are some projects homeowners can expect to encounter as they weatherize their homes or work with professional weatherization services.

Home energy audit: The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the purpose of a home energy audit is to give homeowners a complete picture of

how they consume energy. Audits can shed light on how much energy is being consumed and if there is anywhere in the home where energy might be going to waste. Audits should be conducted before beginning any weatherization projects. Professional auditors may give advice on which areas of the home should be addressed first, while DIYers who conduct their own audits can make a list of issues before determining where to start.

Leakage: Homeowners may think leakage only poses a problem in winter, when cold air can creep in through cracks around doors and windows and make residents cold, forcing them to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

But leaks can affect comfort levels and energy bills during the summer, too, forcing homeowners to adjust their air conditioners to ensure a home is cool on hot days. Choose a cool, windy day to inspect for drafts around doors and windows. The DOE (U.S. Dept. of

Air quality

and heart health

Environment) notes that air leakage can adversely affect indoor air quality and contribute to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health.

Insulation: A poorly insulated home will cost more to heat in winter and more to keep cool in summer. The DOE notes that heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. So during winter, heat will flow from heated living spaces to unheated areas of the home, including attics and garages. In summer, heat will flow from the outdoors into the home. Properly insulating a home will decrease this flow of heat, ensuring homeowners aren’t paying to heat rooms they don’t use in winter or paying more to keep rooms cool in summer because heat is flowing in from the exterior of the home.

Weatherizing a home is a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and save some money.

A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

The threat posed by air pollution is greater among people who have or have had coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, bypass surgery or an angioplasty, heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or blockages in the arteries of the neck or legs.

People who have internal cardiac defibrillators also may be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to air pollution. While it’s common to assume that air pollution is only a problem for people who live in large cities, the American Heart Association warns against making such assumptions, noting that air pollution can be traced to a host of sources, including wildfires and cooking with wood stoves, that can be found outside of major cities.

The AHA also notes that researchers believe pollution has inflammatory effects on the heart that can cause cardiovascular problems.

• April, 2019

The various ways of going green

M

save consumers money

Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used Lighting furniture or antiques reduces landfill Household lighting is another area waste and cuts back on manufacturing, where consumers can protect the planet packaging and transportation, each and save money at the same time. of which can take a toll on the planet.

According to the U.S. Department of Consumers who need new furnishings Energy, Energy Star ÂŽ-qualified LED for their homes also can look for lights consume just 20 to 25 per cent of products made of recycled materials, the energy used by incandescent bulbs, which reduces landfill waste, or items all the while lasting as much as 25 times made from On the road longer than incandescents. That saves eco-friendly materials that grow Drivers who alter their driving habits people money on their energy bills. quickly, thereby reducing the need for can save money in various ways.

While LED lights are more expensive to pesticides.

Defensive driving has long been touted purchase than many of the alternatives, Going green is a commendable way to as the safest way to take to the road, but their long life expectancy means live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such an approach to driving also can consumers can expect to see returns such a lifestyle also can be a great way be financially savvy. Drivers who do not on that investment long before the bulbs to save money. frequently accelerate or stop suddenly are no longer functional. can conserve fuel, saving them any people adopt ecofriendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet.

People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet.

money at the filling station. In addition, following manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel.

Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money.

EarthDay 5

Day

6 Earth

April 2019 •

Make mealtime

more eco-friendly Ecofriendly suggestions

for expecting parents

A

n eco-friendly lifestyle is anything but selfless, as such a way of life can pay both immediate and long-term dividends, helping men and women in the present day while also contributing to healthier futures for generations to come.

As environmentalists and eco-friendly ordinary Joes no doubt already know, there are myriad ways to go green. Even mealtime at home can be made considerably more eco-friendly with relatively little effort.

Stop handwashing dishes.

Men and women who dread having to hand wash their dishes after a nice meal have an ally in science. A study from researchers in Europe found that people who handwashed place settings for 12 people used as much as 27 gallons of water, while washing the same amount of place settings in a dishwasher required just four gallons of water. So instead of standing over a sink and washing dishes by hand each night, men and

E

women can simply load up the dishwasher, making sure only to run it when it’s full so even less water is wasted.

Avoid the stove when possible.

Empty nesters, couples without children or single men and women who want to save energy come mealtime can use toaster ovens in lieu of traditional stoves when preparing small meals.

According to EnergyStar ®, toaster ovens consume between onethird to one-half the amount of energy as conventional electric ovens when cooking small meals, making them a far more eco-friendly option for men and women who typically cook small meals for one or two people.

Shop with reusable bags.

Cooks know that great meals begin at the grocery store, so there’s no reason why ecofriendly cooking cannot begin there as well. Estimates suggest that as many as 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone each year.

Environment Massachusetts

reports that such bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, even though their life expectancy is as high as 1,000 years.

By relying on reusable cloth shopping bags instead of singleuse plastic bags, shoppers can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of cooking their own meals.

Recycle materials.

Glass jars, plastic butter tubs, milk cartons, and other items necessary to prepare meals at home are all recyclable.

Many local governments have weekly if not biweekly pickups of recyclable materials, making it easier than ever to ensure these items are given new life after being used. Men and women who reside in areas without such pickups can go it alone, collecting recyclable materials and periodically transporting them to nearby recycling centres.

Mealtime provides a host of opportunities for eco-conscious men and women to embrace practices that protect the planet.

xpecting parents want their babies to be born healthy and stay healthy throughout their lives. The environment into which children are born can go a long way toward determining the health of newborns.

Before the news that a child is on the way arrives, men and women may give little thought to the products they use around their homes. But the moment expecting parents learn their families are about to get bigger is a great time to begin re-examining certain practices around their homes and instituting some changes where necessary.

Reconsider lawn care practices. While past studies examining a link between pesticide exposure and birth defects were less than definitive, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara examined birth certificate records of more than half a million single births in

the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley between 1997 and 2001.

They found that babies born to mothers with high pesticide exposure levels suffered a host of birth defects, including low birth weight. While such defects were only identifiable in cases where women were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of pesticides, parents can still exercise caution and avoid using pesticides when caring for their lawns.

Purchase solid wood furniture. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that enter the air as gases from some solid or liquids.

The New York State Department of Health notes that short-term exposure to high levels of certain VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, among other symptoms.

Long-term exposure to VOCs has been found to adversely affect the nervous systems of laboratory animals. When

purchasing furniture for their children’s nurseries, expecting parents should avoid buying pressed wood products, which may contain the VOC formaldehyde. Instead, look for solid wood furniture made with a lowemitting finish.

Make children’s food as they begin eating solids.

Children begin eating solid foods such as fruit and vegetables even before they have teeth. Rather than buying baby food from the store, parents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides. Residue from pesticides may stick to foods such as apples, peaches and pears.

Parents who buy and then prepare organic food are doing all they can to ensure their babies are not exposed to pesticides through their diets.

Expecting parents can take several steps to make their homes as ecofriendly as possible before the births of their children.

• April, 2019

Here’s how we transformed our business

By Monk Office

T

hough we’ve been dedicated to helping the local community since the company was founded in 1951, in 2007 we decided that the next step in our dedication was to help promote sustainability. To do this, we needed to transform our operations with the goal of drastically reducing our carbon footprint. We believe every generation should inherit a healthier Earth than the one before it. To achieve that, we expect more from ourselves than the Earth, and give back more than we take with sustainable business practices that minimize our impact on the planet. In the past 12 years, we’ve been able to divert 99% of our landfill waste through reusing, recycling and composting efforts.

But it took a bit more than sorting through our trash to achieve and sustain these results. Whether you’re a business just starting out on the path to sustainability, or you’re a seasoned workplace environmentalist looking for your next project, these tips just might help you take the next step.

Route optimization and the use of lower-emission, more renewable fuel are two of the ways Monk Office has decreased environmental impact.

Data Matters Knowing where you started is a crucial step in any journey towards sustainability. Measuring your usage and consumption is a great way to determine where you can make the most change. At Monk Office, we started by focusing on areas where we had the largest impact on the environment: energy and paper use, waste generation and fuel consumption. By

knowing the source of your emissions it’s easier to develop a targeted approach. Plus, it’s hard to see progress without a starting point!

Get Creative While waste diversion is a critical part of our sustainability initiatives, it’s not the only way we put “Love Our Planet”, one of Monk Office’s core values, into action. Organizing company-wide beach cleanups, offering rebates on purchasing eco products and stocking Sugar Sheet (a tree-less paper option made from the byproducts of the sugar industry) at our Copy Centres are just some creative ways we’ve prioritized the environment.

We’ve been committed to improving our communities in a sustainable way since 2007, with the greater hope being to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. We feel like leading by example is the right thing to do!

Looking for more tips? Find our full Corporate Sustainability report on our website at monk.ca/csr.

Photo Courtesy Monk Office

Going green?

Come Together Our Eco Team, comprising of front-line Team Members as well as individuals from Senior Leadership, is the driving force behind our environmental initiatives. Together we determine where in our operation we have the greatest impact on the environment; then by identifying areas of improvement we plan, execute and evaluate sustainability-related initiatives. By identifying areas of improvement, we strive to mitigate the effects we have on our communities and on the planet as a whole.

EarthDay 7

Day

8 Earth

April 2019 •

is

APRIL 22nd

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April 2019 A Special Supplement to the

y a D !

h t r E8a WAYS to Boost Your Bottom

Line The various ways going

green can save you money

Make Mealtime More Eco-friendly 4 handy tips to help in the kitchen

On the Road to a Healthier Planet

How to become a more eco-friendly motorist

View this section online by scanning this code or @ www.timescolonist.com/ Special-sections

Day

2 Earth

April 2019 •

How to be an eco-friendly

motorist

The benefits

of choosing solar energy

H

D

riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity.

But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel.

Plan trips in advance.

In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home.

Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.

Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 5,000 kilometres, while others may advise tires be rotated every 8,000 kilometres. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result.

Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon

footprints. Drivers who want their driving to be as ecofriendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuelefficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.

Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbours with whom they can carpool.

Begin by posing a carpool to co-workers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if co-workers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great way for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.

ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the federal government reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 per cent since 2004.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved

payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country.

Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum.

The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.

• April, 2019

EarthDay 3

Waste not...

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable.

Want not

M

ost households in our community throw away more than a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries that could have been eaten up every year — mostly because they either don’t store their food properly or use it up in time.

Although kitchen scraps were banned from Hartland Landfill in 2015, reducing food waste in our region continues to be a priority area for pollution prevention.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable and, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, this volume of wasted food adds up to 8% of human-caused greenhouse gases — roughly the same as road transportation — due to the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package and transport food.

Families across the capital region can cut down on their own avoidable food waste by planning out their grocery trips and portion sizes, storing their food properly and making sure to use everything up before it goes bad.

Together, we can stop wasting food. Visit crd.bc.ca/lovefood for food storage tips, recipe ideas for past-prime fruits and vegetables and the real deal on ‘best before’ dates.

The perils of

A

bottled water

ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization

that provides reliable water projects to communities

in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the

consumption of bottled water has led some communities in

both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that

p o t s let’s d o O f TinG

Was

80 per cent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately

end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred

years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet post-production. The environmental

group One Green Planet notes that the production and

transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate,

or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While

consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is

enough to offset the environmental cost of their production

and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be

recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered

63% of household food waste is avoidable. e.

recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers

concerned about their bottled water consumption should

For food storage tips, recipes and more:

know that reusable water bottles are not only more ecofriendly, but also much more cost-effective.

lovefoodhatewaste.ca

Day

4 Earth

April 2019 •

Weatherizing

to save money and energy

H

omeowners know that maintaining a comfortable home can be a lot of work. As one project is completed or addressed, another may pop up. In spite of the hard work that can go into maintaining a home, many homeowners would agree that such efforts are well worth it to feel safe and comfortable inside one’s own home.

Weatherization is one of the ways to make a home more comfortable while also saving money and energy. Some weatherization projects may be best left to the professionals, while others can be tackled by homeowners themselves.

The following are some projects homeowners can expect to encounter as they weatherize their homes or work with professional weatherization services.

Home energy audit: The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the purpose of a home energy audit is to give homeowners a complete picture of

how they consume energy. Audits can shed light on how much energy is being consumed and if there is anywhere in the home where energy might be going to waste. Audits should be conducted before beginning any weatherization projects. Professional auditors may give advice on which areas of the home should be addressed first, while DIYers who conduct their own audits can make a list of issues before determining where to start.

Leakage: Homeowners may think leakage only poses a problem in winter, when cold air can creep in through cracks around doors and windows and make residents cold, forcing them to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

But leaks can affect comfort levels and energy bills during the summer, too, forcing homeowners to adjust their air conditioners to ensure a home is cool on hot days. Choose a cool, windy day to inspect for drafts around doors and windows. The DOE (U.S. Dept. of

Air quality

and heart health

Environment) notes that air leakage can adversely affect indoor air quality and contribute to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health.

Insulation: A poorly insulated home will cost more to heat in winter and more to keep cool in summer. The DOE notes that heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. So during winter, heat will flow from heated living spaces to unheated areas of the home, including attics and garages. In summer, heat will flow from the outdoors into the home. Properly insulating a home will decrease this flow of heat, ensuring homeowners aren’t paying to heat rooms they don’t use in winter or paying more to keep rooms cool in summer because heat is flowing in from the exterior of the home.

Weatherizing a home is a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and save some money.

A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

The threat posed by air pollution is greater among people who have or have had coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, bypass surgery or an angioplasty, heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or blockages in the arteries of the neck or legs.

People who have internal cardiac defibrillators also may be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to air pollution. While it’s common to assume that air pollution is only a problem for people who live in large cities, the American Heart Association warns against making such assumptions, noting that air pollution can be traced to a host of sources, including wildfires and cooking with wood stoves, that can be found outside of major cities.

The AHA also notes that researchers believe pollution has inflammatory effects on the heart that can cause cardiovascular problems.

• April, 2019

The various ways of going green

M

save consumers money

Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used Lighting furniture or antiques reduces landfill Household lighting is another area waste and cuts back on manufacturing, where consumers can protect the planet packaging and transportation, each and save money at the same time. of which can take a toll on the planet.

According to the U.S. Department of Consumers who need new furnishings Energy, Energy Star ÂŽ-qualified LED for their homes also can look for lights consume just 20 to 25 per cent of products made of recycled materials, the energy used by incandescent bulbs, which reduces landfill waste, or items all the while lasting as much as 25 times made from On the road longer than incandescents. That saves eco-friendly materials that grow Drivers who alter their driving habits people money on their energy bills. quickly, thereby reducing the need for can save money in various ways.

While LED lights are more expensive to pesticides.

Defensive driving has long been touted purchase than many of the alternatives, Going green is a commendable way to as the safest way to take to the road, but their long life expectancy means live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such an approach to driving also can consumers can expect to see returns such a lifestyle also can be a great way be financially savvy. Drivers who do not on that investment long before the bulbs to save money. frequently accelerate or stop suddenly are no longer functional. can conserve fuel, saving them any people adopt ecofriendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet.

People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet.

money at the filling station. In addition, following manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel.

Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money.

EarthDay 5

Day

6 Earth

April 2019 •

Make mealtime

more eco-friendly Ecofriendly suggestions

for expecting parents

A

n eco-friendly lifestyle is anything but selfless, as such a way of life can pay both immediate and long-term dividends, helping men and women in the present day while also contributing to healthier futures for generations to come.

As environmentalists and eco-friendly ordinary Joes no doubt already know, there are myriad ways to go green. Even mealtime at home can be made considerably more eco-friendly with relatively little effort.

Stop handwashing dishes.

Men and women who dread having to hand wash their dishes after a nice meal have an ally in science. A study from researchers in Europe found that people who handwashed place settings for 12 people used as much as 27 gallons of water, while washing the same amount of place settings in a dishwasher required just four gallons of water. So instead of standing over a sink and washing dishes by hand each night, men and

E

women can simply load up the dishwasher, making sure only to run it when it’s full so even less water is wasted.

Avoid the stove when possible.

Empty nesters, couples without children or single men and women who want to save energy come mealtime can use toaster ovens in lieu of traditional stoves when preparing small meals.

According to EnergyStar ®, toaster ovens consume between onethird to one-half the amount of energy as conventional electric ovens when cooking small meals, making them a far more eco-friendly option for men and women who typically cook small meals for one or two people.

Shop with reusable bags.

Cooks know that great meals begin at the grocery store, so there’s no reason why ecofriendly cooking cannot begin there as well. Estimates suggest that as many as 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone each year.

Environment Massachusetts

reports that such bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, even though their life expectancy is as high as 1,000 years.

By relying on reusable cloth shopping bags instead of singleuse plastic bags, shoppers can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of cooking their own meals.

Recycle materials.

Glass jars, plastic butter tubs, milk cartons, and other items necessary to prepare meals at home are all recyclable.

Many local governments have weekly if not biweekly pickups of recyclable materials, making it easier than ever to ensure these items are given new life after being used. Men and women who reside in areas without such pickups can go it alone, collecting recyclable materials and periodically transporting them to nearby recycling centres.

Mealtime provides a host of opportunities for eco-conscious men and women to embrace practices that protect the planet.

xpecting parents want their babies to be born healthy and stay healthy throughout their lives. The environment into which children are born can go a long way toward determining the health of newborns.

Before the news that a child is on the way arrives, men and women may give little thought to the products they use around their homes. But the moment expecting parents learn their families are about to get bigger is a great time to begin re-examining certain practices around their homes and instituting some changes where necessary.

Reconsider lawn care practices. While past studies examining a link between pesticide exposure and birth defects were less than definitive, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara examined birth certificate records of more than half a million single births in

the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley between 1997 and 2001.

They found that babies born to mothers with high pesticide exposure levels suffered a host of birth defects, including low birth weight. While such defects were only identifiable in cases where women were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of pesticides, parents can still exercise caution and avoid using pesticides when caring for their lawns.

Purchase solid wood furniture. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that enter the air as gases from some solid or liquids.

The New York State Department of Health notes that short-term exposure to high levels of certain VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, among other symptoms.

Long-term exposure to VOCs has been found to adversely affect the nervous systems of laboratory animals. When

purchasing furniture for their children’s nurseries, expecting parents should avoid buying pressed wood products, which may contain the VOC formaldehyde. Instead, look for solid wood furniture made with a lowemitting finish.

Make children’s food as they begin eating solids.

Children begin eating solid foods such as fruit and vegetables even before they have teeth. Rather than buying baby food from the store, parents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides. Residue from pesticides may stick to foods such as apples, peaches and pears.

Parents who buy and then prepare organic food are doing all they can to ensure their babies are not exposed to pesticides through their diets.

Expecting parents can take several steps to make their homes as ecofriendly as possible before the births of their children.

• April, 2019

Here’s how we transformed our business

By Monk Office

T

hough we’ve been dedicated to helping the local community since the company was founded in 1951, in 2007 we decided that the next step in our dedication was to help promote sustainability. To do this, we needed to transform our operations with the goal of drastically reducing our carbon footprint. We believe every generation should inherit a healthier Earth than the one before it. To achieve that, we expect more from ourselves than the Earth, and give back more than we take with sustainable business practices that minimize our impact on the planet. In the past 12 years, we’ve been able to divert 99% of our landfill waste through reusing, recycling and composting efforts.

But it took a bit more than sorting through our trash to achieve and sustain these results. Whether you’re a business just starting out on the path to sustainability, or you’re a seasoned workplace environmentalist looking for your next project, these tips just might help you take the next step.

Route optimization and the use of lower-emission, more renewable fuel are two of the ways Monk Office has decreased environmental impact.

Data Matters Knowing where you started is a crucial step in any journey towards sustainability. Measuring your usage and consumption is a great way to determine where you can make the most change. At Monk Office, we started by focusing on areas where we had the largest impact on the environment: energy and paper use, waste generation and fuel consumption. By

knowing the source of your emissions it’s easier to develop a targeted approach. Plus, it’s hard to see progress without a starting point!

Get Creative While waste diversion is a critical part of our sustainability initiatives, it’s not the only way we put “Love Our Planet”, one of Monk Office’s core values, into action. Organizing company-wide beach cleanups, offering rebates on purchasing eco products and stocking Sugar Sheet (a tree-less paper option made from the byproducts of the sugar industry) at our Copy Centres are just some creative ways we’ve prioritized the environment.

We’ve been committed to improving our communities in a sustainable way since 2007, with the greater hope being to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. We feel like leading by example is the right thing to do!

Looking for more tips? Find our full Corporate Sustainability report on our website at monk.ca/csr.

Photo Courtesy Monk Office

Going green?

Come Together Our Eco Team, comprising of front-line Team Members as well as individuals from Senior Leadership, is the driving force behind our environmental initiatives. Together we determine where in our operation we have the greatest impact on the environment; then by identifying areas of improvement we plan, execute and evaluate sustainability-related initiatives. By identifying areas of improvement, we strive to mitigate the effects we have on our communities and on the planet as a whole.

EarthDay 7

Day

8 Earth

April 2019 •

is

APRIL 22nd

Do your part, with these advanced Hybrid models from Honda!

2019

CLARITY Plug-In Hybrid MSRP starting from

$40,100

Eliminates range envy Ask about the CEV $5,000 Rebate

2019

2019

ACCORD HYBRID

INSIGHT Hybrid

MSRP starting from $28,090

Coming June 2019 FIND YOUR DREAM DRIVE TODAY.

Mon-Thurs 8:30-7 pm Fri + Sat 8:30-6 campushonda.com 506 Finlayson Street, Victoria

250-388-6921

April 2019 A Special Supplement to the

y a D !

h t r E8a WAYS to Boost Your Bottom

Line The various ways going

green can save you money

Make Mealtime More Eco-friendly 4 handy tips to help in the kitchen

On the Road to a Healthier Planet

How to become a more eco-friendly motorist

View this section online by scanning this code or @ www.timescolonist.com/ Special-sections

Day

2 Earth

April 2019 •

How to be an eco-friendly

motorist

The benefits

of choosing solar energy

H

D

riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity.

But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel.

Plan trips in advance.

In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home.

Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.

Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 5,000 kilometres, while others may advise tires be rotated every 8,000 kilometres. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result.

Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon

footprints. Drivers who want their driving to be as ecofriendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuelefficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.

Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbours with whom they can carpool.

Begin by posing a carpool to co-workers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if co-workers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great way for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.

ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the federal government reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 per cent since 2004.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved

payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country.

Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum.

The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.

• April, 2019

EarthDay 3

Waste not...

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable.

Want not

M

ost households in our community throw away more than a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries that could have been eaten up every year — mostly because they either don’t store their food properly or use it up in time.

Although kitchen scraps were banned from Hartland Landfill in 2015, reducing food waste in our region continues to be a priority area for pollution prevention.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable and, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, this volume of wasted food adds up to 8% of human-caused greenhouse gases — roughly the same as road transportation — due to the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package and transport food.

Families across the capital region can cut down on their own avoidable food waste by planning out their grocery trips and portion sizes, storing their food properly and making sure to use everything up before it goes bad.

Together, we can stop wasting food. Visit crd.bc.ca/lovefood for food storage tips, recipe ideas for past-prime fruits and vegetables and the real deal on ‘best before’ dates.

The perils of

A

bottled water

ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization

that provides reliable water projects to communities

in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the

consumption of bottled water has led some communities in

both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that

p o t s let’s d o O f TinG

Was

80 per cent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately

end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred

years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet post-production. The environmental

group One Green Planet notes that the production and

transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate,

or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While

consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is

enough to offset the environmental cost of their production

and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be

recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered

63% of household food waste is avoidable. e.

recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers

concerned about their bottled water consumption should

For food storage tips, recipes and more:

know that reusable water bottles are not only more ecofriendly, but also much more cost-effective.

lovefoodhatewaste.ca

Day

4 Earth

April 2019 •

Weatherizing

to save money and energy

H

omeowners know that maintaining a comfortable home can be a lot of work. As one project is completed or addressed, another may pop up. In spite of the hard work that can go into maintaining a home, many homeowners would agree that such efforts are well worth it to feel safe and comfortable inside one’s own home.

Weatherization is one of the ways to make a home more comfortable while also saving money and energy. Some weatherization projects may be best left to the professionals, while others can be tackled by homeowners themselves.

The following are some projects homeowners can expect to encounter as they weatherize their homes or work with professional weatherization services.

Home energy audit: The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the purpose of a home energy audit is to give homeowners a complete picture of

how they consume energy. Audits can shed light on how much energy is being consumed and if there is anywhere in the home where energy might be going to waste. Audits should be conducted before beginning any weatherization projects. Professional auditors may give advice on which areas of the home should be addressed first, while DIYers who conduct their own audits can make a list of issues before determining where to start.

Leakage: Homeowners may think leakage only poses a problem in winter, when cold air can creep in through cracks around doors and windows and make residents cold, forcing them to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

But leaks can affect comfort levels and energy bills during the summer, too, forcing homeowners to adjust their air conditioners to ensure a home is cool on hot days. Choose a cool, windy day to inspect for drafts around doors and windows. The DOE (U.S. Dept. of

Air quality

and heart health

Environment) notes that air leakage can adversely affect indoor air quality and contribute to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health.

Insulation: A poorly insulated home will cost more to heat in winter and more to keep cool in summer. The DOE notes that heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. So during winter, heat will flow from heated living spaces to unheated areas of the home, including attics and garages. In summer, heat will flow from the outdoors into the home. Properly insulating a home will decrease this flow of heat, ensuring homeowners aren’t paying to heat rooms they don’t use in winter or paying more to keep rooms cool in summer because heat is flowing in from the exterior of the home.

Weatherizing a home is a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and save some money.

A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

The threat posed by air pollution is greater among people who have or have had coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, bypass surgery or an angioplasty, heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or blockages in the arteries of the neck or legs.

People who have internal cardiac defibrillators also may be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to air pollution. While it’s common to assume that air pollution is only a problem for people who live in large cities, the American Heart Association warns against making such assumptions, noting that air pollution can be traced to a host of sources, including wildfires and cooking with wood stoves, that can be found outside of major cities.

The AHA also notes that researchers believe pollution has inflammatory effects on the heart that can cause cardiovascular problems.

• April, 2019

The various ways of going green

M

save consumers money

Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used Lighting furniture or antiques reduces landfill Household lighting is another area waste and cuts back on manufacturing, where consumers can protect the planet packaging and transportation, each and save money at the same time. of which can take a toll on the planet.

According to the U.S. Department of Consumers who need new furnishings Energy, Energy Star ÂŽ-qualified LED for their homes also can look for lights consume just 20 to 25 per cent of products made of recycled materials, the energy used by incandescent bulbs, which reduces landfill waste, or items all the while lasting as much as 25 times made from On the road longer than incandescents. That saves eco-friendly materials that grow Drivers who alter their driving habits people money on their energy bills. quickly, thereby reducing the need for can save money in various ways.

While LED lights are more expensive to pesticides.

Defensive driving has long been touted purchase than many of the alternatives, Going green is a commendable way to as the safest way to take to the road, but their long life expectancy means live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such an approach to driving also can consumers can expect to see returns such a lifestyle also can be a great way be financially savvy. Drivers who do not on that investment long before the bulbs to save money. frequently accelerate or stop suddenly are no longer functional. can conserve fuel, saving them any people adopt ecofriendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet.

People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet.

money at the filling station. In addition, following manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel.

Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money.

EarthDay 5

Day

6 Earth

April 2019 •

Make mealtime

more eco-friendly Ecofriendly suggestions

for expecting parents

A

n eco-friendly lifestyle is anything but selfless, as such a way of life can pay both immediate and long-term dividends, helping men and women in the present day while also contributing to healthier futures for generations to come.

As environmentalists and eco-friendly ordinary Joes no doubt already know, there are myriad ways to go green. Even mealtime at home can be made considerably more eco-friendly with relatively little effort.

Stop handwashing dishes.

Men and women who dread having to hand wash their dishes after a nice meal have an ally in science. A study from researchers in Europe found that people who handwashed place settings for 12 people used as much as 27 gallons of water, while washing the same amount of place settings in a dishwasher required just four gallons of water. So instead of standing over a sink and washing dishes by hand each night, men and

E

women can simply load up the dishwasher, making sure only to run it when it’s full so even less water is wasted.

Avoid the stove when possible.

Empty nesters, couples without children or single men and women who want to save energy come mealtime can use toaster ovens in lieu of traditional stoves when preparing small meals.

According to EnergyStar ®, toaster ovens consume between onethird to one-half the amount of energy as conventional electric ovens when cooking small meals, making them a far more eco-friendly option for men and women who typically cook small meals for one or two people.

Shop with reusable bags.

Cooks know that great meals begin at the grocery store, so there’s no reason why ecofriendly cooking cannot begin there as well. Estimates suggest that as many as 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone each year.

Environment Massachusetts

reports that such bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, even though their life expectancy is as high as 1,000 years.

By relying on reusable cloth shopping bags instead of singleuse plastic bags, shoppers can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of cooking their own meals.

Recycle materials.

Glass jars, plastic butter tubs, milk cartons, and other items necessary to prepare meals at home are all recyclable.

Many local governments have weekly if not biweekly pickups of recyclable materials, making it easier than ever to ensure these items are given new life after being used. Men and women who reside in areas without such pickups can go it alone, collecting recyclable materials and periodically transporting them to nearby recycling centres.

Mealtime provides a host of opportunities for eco-conscious men and women to embrace practices that protect the planet.

xpecting parents want their babies to be born healthy and stay healthy throughout their lives. The environment into which children are born can go a long way toward determining the health of newborns.

Before the news that a child is on the way arrives, men and women may give little thought to the products they use around their homes. But the moment expecting parents learn their families are about to get bigger is a great time to begin re-examining certain practices around their homes and instituting some changes where necessary.

Reconsider lawn care practices. While past studies examining a link between pesticide exposure and birth defects were less than definitive, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara examined birth certificate records of more than half a million single births in

the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley between 1997 and 2001.

They found that babies born to mothers with high pesticide exposure levels suffered a host of birth defects, including low birth weight. While such defects were only identifiable in cases where women were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of pesticides, parents can still exercise caution and avoid using pesticides when caring for their lawns.

Purchase solid wood furniture. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that enter the air as gases from some solid or liquids.

The New York State Department of Health notes that short-term exposure to high levels of certain VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, among other symptoms.

Long-term exposure to VOCs has been found to adversely affect the nervous systems of laboratory animals. When

purchasing furniture for their children’s nurseries, expecting parents should avoid buying pressed wood products, which may contain the VOC formaldehyde. Instead, look for solid wood furniture made with a lowemitting finish.

Make children’s food as they begin eating solids.

Children begin eating solid foods such as fruit and vegetables even before they have teeth. Rather than buying baby food from the store, parents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides. Residue from pesticides may stick to foods such as apples, peaches and pears.

Parents who buy and then prepare organic food are doing all they can to ensure their babies are not exposed to pesticides through their diets.

Expecting parents can take several steps to make their homes as ecofriendly as possible before the births of their children.

• April, 2019

Here’s how we transformed our business

By Monk Office

T

hough we’ve been dedicated to helping the local community since the company was founded in 1951, in 2007 we decided that the next step in our dedication was to help promote sustainability. To do this, we needed to transform our operations with the goal of drastically reducing our carbon footprint. We believe every generation should inherit a healthier Earth than the one before it. To achieve that, we expect more from ourselves than the Earth, and give back more than we take with sustainable business practices that minimize our impact on the planet. In the past 12 years, we’ve been able to divert 99% of our landfill waste through reusing, recycling and composting efforts.

But it took a bit more than sorting through our trash to achieve and sustain these results. Whether you’re a business just starting out on the path to sustainability, or you’re a seasoned workplace environmentalist looking for your next project, these tips just might help you take the next step.

Route optimization and the use of lower-emission, more renewable fuel are two of the ways Monk Office has decreased environmental impact.

Data Matters Knowing where you started is a crucial step in any journey towards sustainability. Measuring your usage and consumption is a great way to determine where you can make the most change. At Monk Office, we started by focusing on areas where we had the largest impact on the environment: energy and paper use, waste generation and fuel consumption. By

knowing the source of your emissions it’s easier to develop a targeted approach. Plus, it’s hard to see progress without a starting point!

Get Creative While waste diversion is a critical part of our sustainability initiatives, it’s not the only way we put “Love Our Planet”, one of Monk Office’s core values, into action. Organizing company-wide beach cleanups, offering rebates on purchasing eco products and stocking Sugar Sheet (a tree-less paper option made from the byproducts of the sugar industry) at our Copy Centres are just some creative ways we’ve prioritized the environment.

We’ve been committed to improving our communities in a sustainable way since 2007, with the greater hope being to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. We feel like leading by example is the right thing to do!

Looking for more tips? Find our full Corporate Sustainability report on our website at monk.ca/csr.

Photo Courtesy Monk Office

Going green?

Come Together Our Eco Team, comprising of front-line Team Members as well as individuals from Senior Leadership, is the driving force behind our environmental initiatives. Together we determine where in our operation we have the greatest impact on the environment; then by identifying areas of improvement we plan, execute and evaluate sustainability-related initiatives. By identifying areas of improvement, we strive to mitigate the effects we have on our communities and on the planet as a whole.

EarthDay 7

Day

8 Earth

April 2019 •

is

APRIL 22nd

Do your part, with these advanced Hybrid models from Honda!

2019

CLARITY Plug-In Hybrid MSRP starting from

$40,100

Eliminates range envy Ask about the CEV $5,000 Rebate

2019

2019

ACCORD HYBRID

INSIGHT Hybrid

MSRP starting from $28,090

Coming June 2019 FIND YOUR DREAM DRIVE TODAY.

Mon-Thurs 8:30-7 pm Fri + Sat 8:30-6 campushonda.com 506 Finlayson Street, Victoria

250-388-6921

April 2019 A Special Supplement to the

y a D !

h t r E8a WAYS to Boost Your Bottom

Line The various ways going

green can save you money

Make Mealtime More Eco-friendly 4 handy tips to help in the kitchen

On the Road to a Healthier Planet

How to become a more eco-friendly motorist

View this section online by scanning this code or @ www.timescolonist.com/ Special-sections

Day

2 Earth

April 2019 •

How to be an eco-friendly

motorist

The benefits

of choosing solar energy

H

D

riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity.

But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel.

Plan trips in advance.

In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home.

Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.

Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 5,000 kilometres, while others may advise tires be rotated every 8,000 kilometres. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result.

Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon

footprints. Drivers who want their driving to be as ecofriendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuelefficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.

Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbours with whom they can carpool.

Begin by posing a carpool to co-workers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if co-workers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great way for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.

ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the federal government reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 per cent since 2004.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved

payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country.

Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum.

The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.

• April, 2019

EarthDay 3

Waste not...

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable.

Want not

M

ost households in our community throw away more than a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries that could have been eaten up every year — mostly because they either don’t store their food properly or use it up in time.

Although kitchen scraps were banned from Hartland Landfill in 2015, reducing food waste in our region continues to be a priority area for pollution prevention.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable and, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, this volume of wasted food adds up to 8% of human-caused greenhouse gases — roughly the same as road transportation — due to the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package and transport food.

Families across the capital region can cut down on their own avoidable food waste by planning out their grocery trips and portion sizes, storing their food properly and making sure to use everything up before it goes bad.

Together, we can stop wasting food. Visit crd.bc.ca/lovefood for food storage tips, recipe ideas for past-prime fruits and vegetables and the real deal on ‘best before’ dates.

The perils of

A

bottled water

ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization

that provides reliable water projects to communities

in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the

consumption of bottled water has led some communities in

both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that

p o t s let’s d o O f TinG

Was

80 per cent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately

end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred

years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet post-production. The environmental

group One Green Planet notes that the production and

transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate,

or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While

consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is

enough to offset the environmental cost of their production

and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be

recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered

63% of household food waste is avoidable. e.

recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers

concerned about their bottled water consumption should

For food storage tips, recipes and more:

know that reusable water bottles are not only more ecofriendly, but also much more cost-effective.

lovefoodhatewaste.ca

Day

4 Earth

April 2019 •

Weatherizing

to save money and energy

H

omeowners know that maintaining a comfortable home can be a lot of work. As one project is completed or addressed, another may pop up. In spite of the hard work that can go into maintaining a home, many homeowners would agree that such efforts are well worth it to feel safe and comfortable inside one’s own home.

Weatherization is one of the ways to make a home more comfortable while also saving money and energy. Some weatherization projects may be best left to the professionals, while others can be tackled by homeowners themselves.

The following are some projects homeowners can expect to encounter as they weatherize their homes or work with professional weatherization services.

Home energy audit: The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the purpose of a home energy audit is to give homeowners a complete picture of

how they consume energy. Audits can shed light on how much energy is being consumed and if there is anywhere in the home where energy might be going to waste. Audits should be conducted before beginning any weatherization projects. Professional auditors may give advice on which areas of the home should be addressed first, while DIYers who conduct their own audits can make a list of issues before determining where to start.

Leakage: Homeowners may think leakage only poses a problem in winter, when cold air can creep in through cracks around doors and windows and make residents cold, forcing them to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

But leaks can affect comfort levels and energy bills during the summer, too, forcing homeowners to adjust their air conditioners to ensure a home is cool on hot days. Choose a cool, windy day to inspect for drafts around doors and windows. The DOE (U.S. Dept. of

Air quality

and heart health

Environment) notes that air leakage can adversely affect indoor air quality and contribute to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health.

Insulation: A poorly insulated home will cost more to heat in winter and more to keep cool in summer. The DOE notes that heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. So during winter, heat will flow from heated living spaces to unheated areas of the home, including attics and garages. In summer, heat will flow from the outdoors into the home. Properly insulating a home will decrease this flow of heat, ensuring homeowners aren’t paying to heat rooms they don’t use in winter or paying more to keep rooms cool in summer because heat is flowing in from the exterior of the home.

Weatherizing a home is a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and save some money.

A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

The threat posed by air pollution is greater among people who have or have had coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, bypass surgery or an angioplasty, heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or blockages in the arteries of the neck or legs.

People who have internal cardiac defibrillators also may be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to air pollution. While it’s common to assume that air pollution is only a problem for people who live in large cities, the American Heart Association warns against making such assumptions, noting that air pollution can be traced to a host of sources, including wildfires and cooking with wood stoves, that can be found outside of major cities.

The AHA also notes that researchers believe pollution has inflammatory effects on the heart that can cause cardiovascular problems.

• April, 2019

The various ways of going green

M

save consumers money

Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used Lighting furniture or antiques reduces landfill Household lighting is another area waste and cuts back on manufacturing, where consumers can protect the planet packaging and transportation, each and save money at the same time. of which can take a toll on the planet.

According to the U.S. Department of Consumers who need new furnishings Energy, Energy Star ÂŽ-qualified LED for their homes also can look for lights consume just 20 to 25 per cent of products made of recycled materials, the energy used by incandescent bulbs, which reduces landfill waste, or items all the while lasting as much as 25 times made from On the road longer than incandescents. That saves eco-friendly materials that grow Drivers who alter their driving habits people money on their energy bills. quickly, thereby reducing the need for can save money in various ways.

While LED lights are more expensive to pesticides.

Defensive driving has long been touted purchase than many of the alternatives, Going green is a commendable way to as the safest way to take to the road, but their long life expectancy means live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such an approach to driving also can consumers can expect to see returns such a lifestyle also can be a great way be financially savvy. Drivers who do not on that investment long before the bulbs to save money. frequently accelerate or stop suddenly are no longer functional. can conserve fuel, saving them any people adopt ecofriendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet.

People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet.

money at the filling station. In addition, following manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel.

Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money.

EarthDay 5

Day

6 Earth

April 2019 •

Make mealtime

more eco-friendly Ecofriendly suggestions

for expecting parents

A

n eco-friendly lifestyle is anything but selfless, as such a way of life can pay both immediate and long-term dividends, helping men and women in the present day while also contributing to healthier futures for generations to come.

As environmentalists and eco-friendly ordinary Joes no doubt already know, there are myriad ways to go green. Even mealtime at home can be made considerably more eco-friendly with relatively little effort.

Stop handwashing dishes.

Men and women who dread having to hand wash their dishes after a nice meal have an ally in science. A study from researchers in Europe found that people who handwashed place settings for 12 people used as much as 27 gallons of water, while washing the same amount of place settings in a dishwasher required just four gallons of water. So instead of standing over a sink and washing dishes by hand each night, men and

E

women can simply load up the dishwasher, making sure only to run it when it’s full so even less water is wasted.

Avoid the stove when possible.

Empty nesters, couples without children or single men and women who want to save energy come mealtime can use toaster ovens in lieu of traditional stoves when preparing small meals.

According to EnergyStar ®, toaster ovens consume between onethird to one-half the amount of energy as conventional electric ovens when cooking small meals, making them a far more eco-friendly option for men and women who typically cook small meals for one or two people.

Shop with reusable bags.

Cooks know that great meals begin at the grocery store, so there’s no reason why ecofriendly cooking cannot begin there as well. Estimates suggest that as many as 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone each year.

Environment Massachusetts

reports that such bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, even though their life expectancy is as high as 1,000 years.

By relying on reusable cloth shopping bags instead of singleuse plastic bags, shoppers can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of cooking their own meals.

Recycle materials.

Glass jars, plastic butter tubs, milk cartons, and other items necessary to prepare meals at home are all recyclable.

Many local governments have weekly if not biweekly pickups of recyclable materials, making it easier than ever to ensure these items are given new life after being used. Men and women who reside in areas without such pickups can go it alone, collecting recyclable materials and periodically transporting them to nearby recycling centres.

Mealtime provides a host of opportunities for eco-conscious men and women to embrace practices that protect the planet.

xpecting parents want their babies to be born healthy and stay healthy throughout their lives. The environment into which children are born can go a long way toward determining the health of newborns.

Before the news that a child is on the way arrives, men and women may give little thought to the products they use around their homes. But the moment expecting parents learn their families are about to get bigger is a great time to begin re-examining certain practices around their homes and instituting some changes where necessary.

Reconsider lawn care practices. While past studies examining a link between pesticide exposure and birth defects were less than definitive, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara examined birth certificate records of more than half a million single births in

the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley between 1997 and 2001.

They found that babies born to mothers with high pesticide exposure levels suffered a host of birth defects, including low birth weight. While such defects were only identifiable in cases where women were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of pesticides, parents can still exercise caution and avoid using pesticides when caring for their lawns.

Purchase solid wood furniture. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that enter the air as gases from some solid or liquids.

The New York State Department of Health notes that short-term exposure to high levels of certain VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, among other symptoms.

Long-term exposure to VOCs has been found to adversely affect the nervous systems of laboratory animals. When

purchasing furniture for their children’s nurseries, expecting parents should avoid buying pressed wood products, which may contain the VOC formaldehyde. Instead, look for solid wood furniture made with a lowemitting finish.

Make children’s food as they begin eating solids.

Children begin eating solid foods such as fruit and vegetables even before they have teeth. Rather than buying baby food from the store, parents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides. Residue from pesticides may stick to foods such as apples, peaches and pears.

Parents who buy and then prepare organic food are doing all they can to ensure their babies are not exposed to pesticides through their diets.

Expecting parents can take several steps to make their homes as ecofriendly as possible before the births of their children.

• April, 2019

Here’s how we transformed our business

By Monk Office

T

hough we’ve been dedicated to helping the local community since the company was founded in 1951, in 2007 we decided that the next step in our dedication was to help promote sustainability. To do this, we needed to transform our operations with the goal of drastically reducing our carbon footprint. We believe every generation should inherit a healthier Earth than the one before it. To achieve that, we expect more from ourselves than the Earth, and give back more than we take with sustainable business practices that minimize our impact on the planet. In the past 12 years, we’ve been able to divert 99% of our landfill waste through reusing, recycling and composting efforts.

But it took a bit more than sorting through our trash to achieve and sustain these results. Whether you’re a business just starting out on the path to sustainability, or you’re a seasoned workplace environmentalist looking for your next project, these tips just might help you take the next step.

Route optimization and the use of lower-emission, more renewable fuel are two of the ways Monk Office has decreased environmental impact.

Data Matters Knowing where you started is a crucial step in any journey towards sustainability. Measuring your usage and consumption is a great way to determine where you can make the most change. At Monk Office, we started by focusing on areas where we had the largest impact on the environment: energy and paper use, waste generation and fuel consumption. By

knowing the source of your emissions it’s easier to develop a targeted approach. Plus, it’s hard to see progress without a starting point!

Get Creative While waste diversion is a critical part of our sustainability initiatives, it’s not the only way we put “Love Our Planet”, one of Monk Office’s core values, into action. Organizing company-wide beach cleanups, offering rebates on purchasing eco products and stocking Sugar Sheet (a tree-less paper option made from the byproducts of the sugar industry) at our Copy Centres are just some creative ways we’ve prioritized the environment.

We’ve been committed to improving our communities in a sustainable way since 2007, with the greater hope being to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. We feel like leading by example is the right thing to do!

Looking for more tips? Find our full Corporate Sustainability report on our website at monk.ca/csr.

Photo Courtesy Monk Office

Going green?

Come Together Our Eco Team, comprising of front-line Team Members as well as individuals from Senior Leadership, is the driving force behind our environmental initiatives. Together we determine where in our operation we have the greatest impact on the environment; then by identifying areas of improvement we plan, execute and evaluate sustainability-related initiatives. By identifying areas of improvement, we strive to mitigate the effects we have on our communities and on the planet as a whole.

EarthDay 7

Day

8 Earth

April 2019 •

is

APRIL 22nd

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April 2019 A Special Supplement to the

y a D !

h t r E8a WAYS to Boost Your Bottom

Line The various ways going

green can save you money

Make Mealtime More Eco-friendly 4 handy tips to help in the kitchen

On the Road to a Healthier Planet

How to become a more eco-friendly motorist

View this section online by scanning this code or @ www.timescolonist.com/ Special-sections

Day

2 Earth

April 2019 •

How to be an eco-friendly

motorist

The benefits

of choosing solar energy

H

D

riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity.

But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel.

Plan trips in advance.

In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home.

Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.

Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 5,000 kilometres, while others may advise tires be rotated every 8,000 kilometres. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result.

Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon

footprints. Drivers who want their driving to be as ecofriendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuelefficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.

Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbours with whom they can carpool.

Begin by posing a carpool to co-workers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if co-workers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great way for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.

ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the federal government reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 per cent since 2004.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved

payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country.

Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum.

The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.

• April, 2019

EarthDay 3

Waste not...

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable.

Want not

M

ost households in our community throw away more than a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries that could have been eaten up every year — mostly because they either don’t store their food properly or use it up in time.

Although kitchen scraps were banned from Hartland Landfill in 2015, reducing food waste in our region continues to be a priority area for pollution prevention.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable and, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, this volume of wasted food adds up to 8% of human-caused greenhouse gases — roughly the same as road transportation — due to the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package and transport food.

Families across the capital region can cut down on their own avoidable food waste by planning out their grocery trips and portion sizes, storing their food properly and making sure to use everything up before it goes bad.

Together, we can stop wasting food. Visit crd.bc.ca/lovefood for food storage tips, recipe ideas for past-prime fruits and vegetables and the real deal on ‘best before’ dates.

The perils of

A

bottled water

ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization

that provides reliable water projects to communities

in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the

consumption of bottled water has led some communities in

both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that

p o t s let’s d o O f TinG

Was

80 per cent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately

end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred

years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet post-production. The environmental

group One Green Planet notes that the production and

transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate,

or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While

consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is

enough to offset the environmental cost of their production

and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be

recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered

63% of household food waste is avoidable. e.

recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers

concerned about their bottled water consumption should

For food storage tips, recipes and more:

know that reusable water bottles are not only more ecofriendly, but also much more cost-effective.

lovefoodhatewaste.ca

Day

4 Earth

April 2019 •

Weatherizing

to save money and energy

H

omeowners know that maintaining a comfortable home can be a lot of work. As one project is completed or addressed, another may pop up. In spite of the hard work that can go into maintaining a home, many homeowners would agree that such efforts are well worth it to feel safe and comfortable inside one’s own home.

Weatherization is one of the ways to make a home more comfortable while also saving money and energy. Some weatherization projects may be best left to the professionals, while others can be tackled by homeowners themselves.

The following are some projects homeowners can expect to encounter as they weatherize their homes or work with professional weatherization services.

Home energy audit: The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the purpose of a home energy audit is to give homeowners a complete picture of

how they consume energy. Audits can shed light on how much energy is being consumed and if there is anywhere in the home where energy might be going to waste. Audits should be conducted before beginning any weatherization projects. Professional auditors may give advice on which areas of the home should be addressed first, while DIYers who conduct their own audits can make a list of issues before determining where to start.

Leakage: Homeowners may think leakage only poses a problem in winter, when cold air can creep in through cracks around doors and windows and make residents cold, forcing them to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

But leaks can affect comfort levels and energy bills during the summer, too, forcing homeowners to adjust their air conditioners to ensure a home is cool on hot days. Choose a cool, windy day to inspect for drafts around doors and windows. The DOE (U.S. Dept. of

Air quality

and heart health

Environment) notes that air leakage can adversely affect indoor air quality and contribute to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health.

Insulation: A poorly insulated home will cost more to heat in winter and more to keep cool in summer. The DOE notes that heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. So during winter, heat will flow from heated living spaces to unheated areas of the home, including attics and garages. In summer, heat will flow from the outdoors into the home. Properly insulating a home will decrease this flow of heat, ensuring homeowners aren’t paying to heat rooms they don’t use in winter or paying more to keep rooms cool in summer because heat is flowing in from the exterior of the home.

Weatherizing a home is a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and save some money.

A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

The threat posed by air pollution is greater among people who have or have had coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, bypass surgery or an angioplasty, heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or blockages in the arteries of the neck or legs.

People who have internal cardiac defibrillators also may be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to air pollution. While it’s common to assume that air pollution is only a problem for people who live in large cities, the American Heart Association warns against making such assumptions, noting that air pollution can be traced to a host of sources, including wildfires and cooking with wood stoves, that can be found outside of major cities.

The AHA also notes that researchers believe pollution has inflammatory effects on the heart that can cause cardiovascular problems.

• April, 2019

The various ways of going green

M

save consumers money

Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used Lighting furniture or antiques reduces landfill Household lighting is another area waste and cuts back on manufacturing, where consumers can protect the planet packaging and transportation, each and save money at the same time. of which can take a toll on the planet.

According to the U.S. Department of Consumers who need new furnishings Energy, Energy Star ÂŽ-qualified LED for their homes also can look for lights consume just 20 to 25 per cent of products made of recycled materials, the energy used by incandescent bulbs, which reduces landfill waste, or items all the while lasting as much as 25 times made from On the road longer than incandescents. That saves eco-friendly materials that grow Drivers who alter their driving habits people money on their energy bills. quickly, thereby reducing the need for can save money in various ways.

While LED lights are more expensive to pesticides.

Defensive driving has long been touted purchase than many of the alternatives, Going green is a commendable way to as the safest way to take to the road, but their long life expectancy means live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such an approach to driving also can consumers can expect to see returns such a lifestyle also can be a great way be financially savvy. Drivers who do not on that investment long before the bulbs to save money. frequently accelerate or stop suddenly are no longer functional. can conserve fuel, saving them any people adopt ecofriendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet.

People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet.

money at the filling station. In addition, following manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel.

Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money.

EarthDay 5

Day

6 Earth

April 2019 •

Make mealtime

more eco-friendly Ecofriendly suggestions

for expecting parents

A

n eco-friendly lifestyle is anything but selfless, as such a way of life can pay both immediate and long-term dividends, helping men and women in the present day while also contributing to healthier futures for generations to come.

As environmentalists and eco-friendly ordinary Joes no doubt already know, there are myriad ways to go green. Even mealtime at home can be made considerably more eco-friendly with relatively little effort.

Stop handwashing dishes.

Men and women who dread having to hand wash their dishes after a nice meal have an ally in science. A study from researchers in Europe found that people who handwashed place settings for 12 people used as much as 27 gallons of water, while washing the same amount of place settings in a dishwasher required just four gallons of water. So instead of standing over a sink and washing dishes by hand each night, men and

E

women can simply load up the dishwasher, making sure only to run it when it’s full so even less water is wasted.

Avoid the stove when possible.

Empty nesters, couples without children or single men and women who want to save energy come mealtime can use toaster ovens in lieu of traditional stoves when preparing small meals.

According to EnergyStar ®, toaster ovens consume between onethird to one-half the amount of energy as conventional electric ovens when cooking small meals, making them a far more eco-friendly option for men and women who typically cook small meals for one or two people.

Shop with reusable bags.

Cooks know that great meals begin at the grocery store, so there’s no reason why ecofriendly cooking cannot begin there as well. Estimates suggest that as many as 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone each year.

Environment Massachusetts

reports that such bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, even though their life expectancy is as high as 1,000 years.

By relying on reusable cloth shopping bags instead of singleuse plastic bags, shoppers can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of cooking their own meals.

Recycle materials.

Glass jars, plastic butter tubs, milk cartons, and other items necessary to prepare meals at home are all recyclable.

Many local governments have weekly if not biweekly pickups of recyclable materials, making it easier than ever to ensure these items are given new life after being used. Men and women who reside in areas without such pickups can go it alone, collecting recyclable materials and periodically transporting them to nearby recycling centres.

Mealtime provides a host of opportunities for eco-conscious men and women to embrace practices that protect the planet.

xpecting parents want their babies to be born healthy and stay healthy throughout their lives. The environment into which children are born can go a long way toward determining the health of newborns.

Before the news that a child is on the way arrives, men and women may give little thought to the products they use around their homes. But the moment expecting parents learn their families are about to get bigger is a great time to begin re-examining certain practices around their homes and instituting some changes where necessary.

Reconsider lawn care practices. While past studies examining a link between pesticide exposure and birth defects were less than definitive, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara examined birth certificate records of more than half a million single births in

the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley between 1997 and 2001.

They found that babies born to mothers with high pesticide exposure levels suffered a host of birth defects, including low birth weight. While such defects were only identifiable in cases where women were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of pesticides, parents can still exercise caution and avoid using pesticides when caring for their lawns.

Purchase solid wood furniture. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that enter the air as gases from some solid or liquids.

The New York State Department of Health notes that short-term exposure to high levels of certain VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, among other symptoms.

Long-term exposure to VOCs has been found to adversely affect the nervous systems of laboratory animals. When

purchasing furniture for their children’s nurseries, expecting parents should avoid buying pressed wood products, which may contain the VOC formaldehyde. Instead, look for solid wood furniture made with a lowemitting finish.

Make children’s food as they begin eating solids.

Children begin eating solid foods such as fruit and vegetables even before they have teeth. Rather than buying baby food from the store, parents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides. Residue from pesticides may stick to foods such as apples, peaches and pears.

Parents who buy and then prepare organic food are doing all they can to ensure their babies are not exposed to pesticides through their diets.

Expecting parents can take several steps to make their homes as ecofriendly as possible before the births of their children.

• April, 2019

Here’s how we transformed our business

By Monk Office

T

hough we’ve been dedicated to helping the local community since the company was founded in 1951, in 2007 we decided that the next step in our dedication was to help promote sustainability. To do this, we needed to transform our operations with the goal of drastically reducing our carbon footprint. We believe every generation should inherit a healthier Earth than the one before it. To achieve that, we expect more from ourselves than the Earth, and give back more than we take with sustainable business practices that minimize our impact on the planet. In the past 12 years, we’ve been able to divert 99% of our landfill waste through reusing, recycling and composting efforts.

But it took a bit more than sorting through our trash to achieve and sustain these results. Whether you’re a business just starting out on the path to sustainability, or you’re a seasoned workplace environmentalist looking for your next project, these tips just might help you take the next step.

Route optimization and the use of lower-emission, more renewable fuel are two of the ways Monk Office has decreased environmental impact.

Data Matters Knowing where you started is a crucial step in any journey towards sustainability. Measuring your usage and consumption is a great way to determine where you can make the most change. At Monk Office, we started by focusing on areas where we had the largest impact on the environment: energy and paper use, waste generation and fuel consumption. By

knowing the source of your emissions it’s easier to develop a targeted approach. Plus, it’s hard to see progress without a starting point!

Get Creative While waste diversion is a critical part of our sustainability initiatives, it’s not the only way we put “Love Our Planet”, one of Monk Office’s core values, into action. Organizing company-wide beach cleanups, offering rebates on purchasing eco products and stocking Sugar Sheet (a tree-less paper option made from the byproducts of the sugar industry) at our Copy Centres are just some creative ways we’ve prioritized the environment.

We’ve been committed to improving our communities in a sustainable way since 2007, with the greater hope being to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. We feel like leading by example is the right thing to do!

Looking for more tips? Find our full Corporate Sustainability report on our website at monk.ca/csr.

Photo Courtesy Monk Office

Going green?

Come Together Our Eco Team, comprising of front-line Team Members as well as individuals from Senior Leadership, is the driving force behind our environmental initiatives. Together we determine where in our operation we have the greatest impact on the environment; then by identifying areas of improvement we plan, execute and evaluate sustainability-related initiatives. By identifying areas of improvement, we strive to mitigate the effects we have on our communities and on the planet as a whole.

EarthDay 7

Day

8 Earth

April 2019 •

is

APRIL 22nd

Do your part, with these advanced Hybrid models from Honda!

2019

CLARITY Plug-In Hybrid MSRP starting from

$40,100

Eliminates range envy Ask about the CEV $5,000 Rebate

2019

2019

ACCORD HYBRID

INSIGHT Hybrid

MSRP starting from $28,090

Coming June 2019 FIND YOUR DREAM DRIVE TODAY.

Mon-Thurs 8:30-7 pm Fri + Sat 8:30-6 campushonda.com 506 Finlayson Street, Victoria

250-388-6921

April 2019 A Special Supplement to the

y a D !

h t r E8a WAYS to Boost Your Bottom

Line The various ways going

green can save you money

Make Mealtime More Eco-friendly 4 handy tips to help in the kitchen

On the Road to a Healthier Planet

How to become a more eco-friendly motorist

View this section online by scanning this code or @ www.timescolonist.com/ Special-sections

Day

2 Earth

April 2019 •

How to be an eco-friendly

motorist

The benefits

of choosing solar energy

H

D

riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity.

But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel.

Plan trips in advance.

In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home.

Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.

Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 5,000 kilometres, while others may advise tires be rotated every 8,000 kilometres. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result.

Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon

footprints. Drivers who want their driving to be as ecofriendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuelefficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.

Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbours with whom they can carpool.

Begin by posing a carpool to co-workers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if co-workers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great way for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.

ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the federal government reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 per cent since 2004.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved

payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country.

Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum.

The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.

• April, 2019

EarthDay 3

Waste not...

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable.

Want not

M

ost households in our community throw away more than a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries that could have been eaten up every year — mostly because they either don’t store their food properly or use it up in time.

Although kitchen scraps were banned from Hartland Landfill in 2015, reducing food waste in our region continues to be a priority area for pollution prevention.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable and, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, this volume of wasted food adds up to 8% of human-caused greenhouse gases — roughly the same as road transportation — due to the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package and transport food.

Families across the capital region can cut down on their own avoidable food waste by planning out their grocery trips and portion sizes, storing their food properly and making sure to use everything up before it goes bad.

Together, we can stop wasting food. Visit crd.bc.ca/lovefood for food storage tips, recipe ideas for past-prime fruits and vegetables and the real deal on ‘best before’ dates.

The perils of

A

bottled water

ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization

that provides reliable water projects to communities

in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the

consumption of bottled water has led some communities in

both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that

p o t s let’s d o O f TinG

Was

80 per cent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately

end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred

years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet post-production. The environmental

group One Green Planet notes that the production and

transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate,

or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While

consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is

enough to offset the environmental cost of their production

and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be

recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered

63% of household food waste is avoidable. e.

recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers

concerned about their bottled water consumption should

For food storage tips, recipes and more:

know that reusable water bottles are not only more ecofriendly, but also much more cost-effective.

lovefoodhatewaste.ca

Day

4 Earth

April 2019 •

Weatherizing

to save money and energy

H

omeowners know that maintaining a comfortable home can be a lot of work. As one project is completed or addressed, another may pop up. In spite of the hard work that can go into maintaining a home, many homeowners would agree that such efforts are well worth it to feel safe and comfortable inside one’s own home.

Weatherization is one of the ways to make a home more comfortable while also saving money and energy. Some weatherization projects may be best left to the professionals, while others can be tackled by homeowners themselves.

The following are some projects homeowners can expect to encounter as they weatherize their homes or work with professional weatherization services.

Home energy audit: The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the purpose of a home energy audit is to give homeowners a complete picture of

how they consume energy. Audits can shed light on how much energy is being consumed and if there is anywhere in the home where energy might be going to waste. Audits should be conducted before beginning any weatherization projects. Professional auditors may give advice on which areas of the home should be addressed first, while DIYers who conduct their own audits can make a list of issues before determining where to start.

Leakage: Homeowners may think leakage only poses a problem in winter, when cold air can creep in through cracks around doors and windows and make residents cold, forcing them to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

But leaks can affect comfort levels and energy bills during the summer, too, forcing homeowners to adjust their air conditioners to ensure a home is cool on hot days. Choose a cool, windy day to inspect for drafts around doors and windows. The DOE (U.S. Dept. of

Air quality

and heart health

Environment) notes that air leakage can adversely affect indoor air quality and contribute to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health.

Insulation: A poorly insulated home will cost more to heat in winter and more to keep cool in summer. The DOE notes that heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. So during winter, heat will flow from heated living spaces to unheated areas of the home, including attics and garages. In summer, heat will flow from the outdoors into the home. Properly insulating a home will decrease this flow of heat, ensuring homeowners aren’t paying to heat rooms they don’t use in winter or paying more to keep rooms cool in summer because heat is flowing in from the exterior of the home.

Weatherizing a home is a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and save some money.

A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

The threat posed by air pollution is greater among people who have or have had coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, bypass surgery or an angioplasty, heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or blockages in the arteries of the neck or legs.

People who have internal cardiac defibrillators also may be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to air pollution. While it’s common to assume that air pollution is only a problem for people who live in large cities, the American Heart Association warns against making such assumptions, noting that air pollution can be traced to a host of sources, including wildfires and cooking with wood stoves, that can be found outside of major cities.

The AHA also notes that researchers believe pollution has inflammatory effects on the heart that can cause cardiovascular problems.

• April, 2019

The various ways of going green

M

save consumers money

Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used Lighting furniture or antiques reduces landfill Household lighting is another area waste and cuts back on manufacturing, where consumers can protect the planet packaging and transportation, each and save money at the same time. of which can take a toll on the planet.

According to the U.S. Department of Consumers who need new furnishings Energy, Energy Star ÂŽ-qualified LED for their homes also can look for lights consume just 20 to 25 per cent of products made of recycled materials, the energy used by incandescent bulbs, which reduces landfill waste, or items all the while lasting as much as 25 times made from On the road longer than incandescents. That saves eco-friendly materials that grow Drivers who alter their driving habits people money on their energy bills. quickly, thereby reducing the need for can save money in various ways.

While LED lights are more expensive to pesticides.

Defensive driving has long been touted purchase than many of the alternatives, Going green is a commendable way to as the safest way to take to the road, but their long life expectancy means live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such an approach to driving also can consumers can expect to see returns such a lifestyle also can be a great way be financially savvy. Drivers who do not on that investment long before the bulbs to save money. frequently accelerate or stop suddenly are no longer functional. can conserve fuel, saving them any people adopt ecofriendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet.

People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet.

money at the filling station. In addition, following manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel.

Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money.

EarthDay 5

Day

6 Earth

April 2019 •

Make mealtime

more eco-friendly Ecofriendly suggestions

for expecting parents

A

n eco-friendly lifestyle is anything but selfless, as such a way of life can pay both immediate and long-term dividends, helping men and women in the present day while also contributing to healthier futures for generations to come.

As environmentalists and eco-friendly ordinary Joes no doubt already know, there are myriad ways to go green. Even mealtime at home can be made considerably more eco-friendly with relatively little effort.

Stop handwashing dishes.

Men and women who dread having to hand wash their dishes after a nice meal have an ally in science. A study from researchers in Europe found that people who handwashed place settings for 12 people used as much as 27 gallons of water, while washing the same amount of place settings in a dishwasher required just four gallons of water. So instead of standing over a sink and washing dishes by hand each night, men and

E

women can simply load up the dishwasher, making sure only to run it when it’s full so even less water is wasted.

Avoid the stove when possible.

Empty nesters, couples without children or single men and women who want to save energy come mealtime can use toaster ovens in lieu of traditional stoves when preparing small meals.

According to EnergyStar ®, toaster ovens consume between onethird to one-half the amount of energy as conventional electric ovens when cooking small meals, making them a far more eco-friendly option for men and women who typically cook small meals for one or two people.

Shop with reusable bags.

Cooks know that great meals begin at the grocery store, so there’s no reason why ecofriendly cooking cannot begin there as well. Estimates suggest that as many as 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone each year.

Environment Massachusetts

reports that such bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, even though their life expectancy is as high as 1,000 years.

By relying on reusable cloth shopping bags instead of singleuse plastic bags, shoppers can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of cooking their own meals.

Recycle materials.

Glass jars, plastic butter tubs, milk cartons, and other items necessary to prepare meals at home are all recyclable.

Many local governments have weekly if not biweekly pickups of recyclable materials, making it easier than ever to ensure these items are given new life after being used. Men and women who reside in areas without such pickups can go it alone, collecting recyclable materials and periodically transporting them to nearby recycling centres.

Mealtime provides a host of opportunities for eco-conscious men and women to embrace practices that protect the planet.

xpecting parents want their babies to be born healthy and stay healthy throughout their lives. The environment into which children are born can go a long way toward determining the health of newborns.

Before the news that a child is on the way arrives, men and women may give little thought to the products they use around their homes. But the moment expecting parents learn their families are about to get bigger is a great time to begin re-examining certain practices around their homes and instituting some changes where necessary.

Reconsider lawn care practices. While past studies examining a link between pesticide exposure and birth defects were less than definitive, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara examined birth certificate records of more than half a million single births in

the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley between 1997 and 2001.

They found that babies born to mothers with high pesticide exposure levels suffered a host of birth defects, including low birth weight. While such defects were only identifiable in cases where women were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of pesticides, parents can still exercise caution and avoid using pesticides when caring for their lawns.

Purchase solid wood furniture. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that enter the air as gases from some solid or liquids.

The New York State Department of Health notes that short-term exposure to high levels of certain VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, among other symptoms.

Long-term exposure to VOCs has been found to adversely affect the nervous systems of laboratory animals. When

purchasing furniture for their children’s nurseries, expecting parents should avoid buying pressed wood products, which may contain the VOC formaldehyde. Instead, look for solid wood furniture made with a lowemitting finish.

Make children’s food as they begin eating solids.

Children begin eating solid foods such as fruit and vegetables even before they have teeth. Rather than buying baby food from the store, parents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides. Residue from pesticides may stick to foods such as apples, peaches and pears.

Parents who buy and then prepare organic food are doing all they can to ensure their babies are not exposed to pesticides through their diets.

Expecting parents can take several steps to make their homes as ecofriendly as possible before the births of their children.

• April, 2019

Here’s how we transformed our business

By Monk Office

T

hough we’ve been dedicated to helping the local community since the company was founded in 1951, in 2007 we decided that the next step in our dedication was to help promote sustainability. To do this, we needed to transform our operations with the goal of drastically reducing our carbon footprint. We believe every generation should inherit a healthier Earth than the one before it. To achieve that, we expect more from ourselves than the Earth, and give back more than we take with sustainable business practices that minimize our impact on the planet. In the past 12 years, we’ve been able to divert 99% of our landfill waste through reusing, recycling and composting efforts.

But it took a bit more than sorting through our trash to achieve and sustain these results. Whether you’re a business just starting out on the path to sustainability, or you’re a seasoned workplace environmentalist looking for your next project, these tips just might help you take the next step.

Route optimization and the use of lower-emission, more renewable fuel are two of the ways Monk Office has decreased environmental impact.

Data Matters Knowing where you started is a crucial step in any journey towards sustainability. Measuring your usage and consumption is a great way to determine where you can make the most change. At Monk Office, we started by focusing on areas where we had the largest impact on the environment: energy and paper use, waste generation and fuel consumption. By

knowing the source of your emissions it’s easier to develop a targeted approach. Plus, it’s hard to see progress without a starting point!

Get Creative While waste diversion is a critical part of our sustainability initiatives, it’s not the only way we put “Love Our Planet”, one of Monk Office’s core values, into action. Organizing company-wide beach cleanups, offering rebates on purchasing eco products and stocking Sugar Sheet (a tree-less paper option made from the byproducts of the sugar industry) at our Copy Centres are just some creative ways we’ve prioritized the environment.

We’ve been committed to improving our communities in a sustainable way since 2007, with the greater hope being to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. We feel like leading by example is the right thing to do!

Looking for more tips? Find our full Corporate Sustainability report on our website at monk.ca/csr.

Photo Courtesy Monk Office

Going green?

Come Together Our Eco Team, comprising of front-line Team Members as well as individuals from Senior Leadership, is the driving force behind our environmental initiatives. Together we determine where in our operation we have the greatest impact on the environment; then by identifying areas of improvement we plan, execute and evaluate sustainability-related initiatives. By identifying areas of improvement, we strive to mitigate the effects we have on our communities and on the planet as a whole.

EarthDay 7

Day

8 Earth

April 2019 •

is

APRIL 22nd

Do your part, with these advanced Hybrid models from Honda!

2019

CLARITY Plug-In Hybrid MSRP starting from

$40,100

Eliminates range envy Ask about the CEV $5,000 Rebate

2019

2019

ACCORD HYBRID

INSIGHT Hybrid

MSRP starting from $28,090

Coming June 2019 FIND YOUR DREAM DRIVE TODAY.

Mon-Thurs 8:30-7 pm Fri + Sat 8:30-6 campushonda.com 506 Finlayson Street, Victoria

250-388-6921

April 2019 A Special Supplement to the

y a D !

h t r E8a WAYS to Boost Your Bottom

Line The various ways going

green can save you money

Make Mealtime More Eco-friendly 4 handy tips to help in the kitchen

On the Road to a Healthier Planet

How to become a more eco-friendly motorist

View this section online by scanning this code or @ www.timescolonist.com/ Special-sections

Day

2 Earth

April 2019 •

How to be an eco-friendly

motorist

The benefits

of choosing solar energy

H

D

riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity.

But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel.

Plan trips in advance.

In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home.

Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.

Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 5,000 kilometres, while others may advise tires be rotated every 8,000 kilometres. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result.

Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon

footprints. Drivers who want their driving to be as ecofriendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuelefficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.

Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbours with whom they can carpool.

Begin by posing a carpool to co-workers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if co-workers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great way for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.

ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the federal government reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 per cent since 2004.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved

payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country.

Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum.

The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.

• April, 2019

EarthDay 3

Waste not...

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable.

Want not

M

ost households in our community throw away more than a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries that could have been eaten up every year — mostly because they either don’t store their food properly or use it up in time.

Although kitchen scraps were banned from Hartland Landfill in 2015, reducing food waste in our region continues to be a priority area for pollution prevention.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable and, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, this volume of wasted food adds up to 8% of human-caused greenhouse gases — roughly the same as road transportation — due to the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package and transport food.

Families across the capital region can cut down on their own avoidable food waste by planning out their grocery trips and portion sizes, storing their food properly and making sure to use everything up before it goes bad.

Together, we can stop wasting food. Visit crd.bc.ca/lovefood for food storage tips, recipe ideas for past-prime fruits and vegetables and the real deal on ‘best before’ dates.

The perils of

A

bottled water

ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization

that provides reliable water projects to communities

in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the

consumption of bottled water has led some communities in

both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that

p o t s let’s d o O f TinG

Was

80 per cent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately

end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred

years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet post-production. The environmental

group One Green Planet notes that the production and

transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate,

or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While

consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is

enough to offset the environmental cost of their production

and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be

recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered

63% of household food waste is avoidable. e.

recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers

concerned about their bottled water consumption should

For food storage tips, recipes and more:

know that reusable water bottles are not only more ecofriendly, but also much more cost-effective.

lovefoodhatewaste.ca

Day

4 Earth

April 2019 •

Weatherizing

to save money and energy

H

omeowners know that maintaining a comfortable home can be a lot of work. As one project is completed or addressed, another may pop up. In spite of the hard work that can go into maintaining a home, many homeowners would agree that such efforts are well worth it to feel safe and comfortable inside one’s own home.

Weatherization is one of the ways to make a home more comfortable while also saving money and energy. Some weatherization projects may be best left to the professionals, while others can be tackled by homeowners themselves.

The following are some projects homeowners can expect to encounter as they weatherize their homes or work with professional weatherization services.

Home energy audit: The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the purpose of a home energy audit is to give homeowners a complete picture of

how they consume energy. Audits can shed light on how much energy is being consumed and if there is anywhere in the home where energy might be going to waste. Audits should be conducted before beginning any weatherization projects. Professional auditors may give advice on which areas of the home should be addressed first, while DIYers who conduct their own audits can make a list of issues before determining where to start.

Leakage: Homeowners may think leakage only poses a problem in winter, when cold air can creep in through cracks around doors and windows and make residents cold, forcing them to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

But leaks can affect comfort levels and energy bills during the summer, too, forcing homeowners to adjust their air conditioners to ensure a home is cool on hot days. Choose a cool, windy day to inspect for drafts around doors and windows. The DOE (U.S. Dept. of

Air quality

and heart health

Environment) notes that air leakage can adversely affect indoor air quality and contribute to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health.

Insulation: A poorly insulated home will cost more to heat in winter and more to keep cool in summer. The DOE notes that heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. So during winter, heat will flow from heated living spaces to unheated areas of the home, including attics and garages. In summer, heat will flow from the outdoors into the home. Properly insulating a home will decrease this flow of heat, ensuring homeowners aren’t paying to heat rooms they don’t use in winter or paying more to keep rooms cool in summer because heat is flowing in from the exterior of the home.

Weatherizing a home is a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and save some money.

A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

The threat posed by air pollution is greater among people who have or have had coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, bypass surgery or an angioplasty, heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or blockages in the arteries of the neck or legs.

People who have internal cardiac defibrillators also may be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to air pollution. While it’s common to assume that air pollution is only a problem for people who live in large cities, the American Heart Association warns against making such assumptions, noting that air pollution can be traced to a host of sources, including wildfires and cooking with wood stoves, that can be found outside of major cities.

The AHA also notes that researchers believe pollution has inflammatory effects on the heart that can cause cardiovascular problems.

• April, 2019

The various ways of going green

M

save consumers money

Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used Lighting furniture or antiques reduces landfill Household lighting is another area waste and cuts back on manufacturing, where consumers can protect the planet packaging and transportation, each and save money at the same time. of which can take a toll on the planet.

According to the U.S. Department of Consumers who need new furnishings Energy, Energy Star ÂŽ-qualified LED for their homes also can look for lights consume just 20 to 25 per cent of products made of recycled materials, the energy used by incandescent bulbs, which reduces landfill waste, or items all the while lasting as much as 25 times made from On the road longer than incandescents. That saves eco-friendly materials that grow Drivers who alter their driving habits people money on their energy bills. quickly, thereby reducing the need for can save money in various ways.

While LED lights are more expensive to pesticides.

Defensive driving has long been touted purchase than many of the alternatives, Going green is a commendable way to as the safest way to take to the road, but their long life expectancy means live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such an approach to driving also can consumers can expect to see returns such a lifestyle also can be a great way be financially savvy. Drivers who do not on that investment long before the bulbs to save money. frequently accelerate or stop suddenly are no longer functional. can conserve fuel, saving them any people adopt ecofriendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet.

People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet.

money at the filling station. In addition, following manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel.

Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money.

EarthDay 5

Day

6 Earth

April 2019 •

Make mealtime

more eco-friendly Ecofriendly suggestions

for expecting parents

A

n eco-friendly lifestyle is anything but selfless, as such a way of life can pay both immediate and long-term dividends, helping men and women in the present day while also contributing to healthier futures for generations to come.

As environmentalists and eco-friendly ordinary Joes no doubt already know, there are myriad ways to go green. Even mealtime at home can be made considerably more eco-friendly with relatively little effort.

Stop handwashing dishes.

Men and women who dread having to hand wash their dishes after a nice meal have an ally in science. A study from researchers in Europe found that people who handwashed place settings for 12 people used as much as 27 gallons of water, while washing the same amount of place settings in a dishwasher required just four gallons of water. So instead of standing over a sink and washing dishes by hand each night, men and

E

women can simply load up the dishwasher, making sure only to run it when it’s full so even less water is wasted.

Avoid the stove when possible.

Empty nesters, couples without children or single men and women who want to save energy come mealtime can use toaster ovens in lieu of traditional stoves when preparing small meals.

According to EnergyStar ®, toaster ovens consume between onethird to one-half the amount of energy as conventional electric ovens when cooking small meals, making them a far more eco-friendly option for men and women who typically cook small meals for one or two people.

Shop with reusable bags.

Cooks know that great meals begin at the grocery store, so there’s no reason why ecofriendly cooking cannot begin there as well. Estimates suggest that as many as 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone each year.

Environment Massachusetts

reports that such bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, even though their life expectancy is as high as 1,000 years.

By relying on reusable cloth shopping bags instead of singleuse plastic bags, shoppers can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of cooking their own meals.

Recycle materials.

Glass jars, plastic butter tubs, milk cartons, and other items necessary to prepare meals at home are all recyclable.

Many local governments have weekly if not biweekly pickups of recyclable materials, making it easier than ever to ensure these items are given new life after being used. Men and women who reside in areas without such pickups can go it alone, collecting recyclable materials and periodically transporting them to nearby recycling centres.

Mealtime provides a host of opportunities for eco-conscious men and women to embrace practices that protect the planet.

xpecting parents want their babies to be born healthy and stay healthy throughout their lives. The environment into which children are born can go a long way toward determining the health of newborns.

Before the news that a child is on the way arrives, men and women may give little thought to the products they use around their homes. But the moment expecting parents learn their families are about to get bigger is a great time to begin re-examining certain practices around their homes and instituting some changes where necessary.

Reconsider lawn care practices. While past studies examining a link between pesticide exposure and birth defects were less than definitive, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara examined birth certificate records of more than half a million single births in

the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley between 1997 and 2001.

They found that babies born to mothers with high pesticide exposure levels suffered a host of birth defects, including low birth weight. While such defects were only identifiable in cases where women were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of pesticides, parents can still exercise caution and avoid using pesticides when caring for their lawns.

Purchase solid wood furniture. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that enter the air as gases from some solid or liquids.

The New York State Department of Health notes that short-term exposure to high levels of certain VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, among other symptoms.

Long-term exposure to VOCs has been found to adversely affect the nervous systems of laboratory animals. When

purchasing furniture for their children’s nurseries, expecting parents should avoid buying pressed wood products, which may contain the VOC formaldehyde. Instead, look for solid wood furniture made with a lowemitting finish.

Make children’s food as they begin eating solids.

Children begin eating solid foods such as fruit and vegetables even before they have teeth. Rather than buying baby food from the store, parents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides. Residue from pesticides may stick to foods such as apples, peaches and pears.

Parents who buy and then prepare organic food are doing all they can to ensure their babies are not exposed to pesticides through their diets.

Expecting parents can take several steps to make their homes as ecofriendly as possible before the births of their children.

• April, 2019

Here’s how we transformed our business

By Monk Office

T

hough we’ve been dedicated to helping the local community since the company was founded in 1951, in 2007 we decided that the next step in our dedication was to help promote sustainability. To do this, we needed to transform our operations with the goal of drastically reducing our carbon footprint. We believe every generation should inherit a healthier Earth than the one before it. To achieve that, we expect more from ourselves than the Earth, and give back more than we take with sustainable business practices that minimize our impact on the planet. In the past 12 years, we’ve been able to divert 99% of our landfill waste through reusing, recycling and composting efforts.

But it took a bit more than sorting through our trash to achieve and sustain these results. Whether you’re a business just starting out on the path to sustainability, or you’re a seasoned workplace environmentalist looking for your next project, these tips just might help you take the next step.

Route optimization and the use of lower-emission, more renewable fuel are two of the ways Monk Office has decreased environmental impact.

Data Matters Knowing where you started is a crucial step in any journey towards sustainability. Measuring your usage and consumption is a great way to determine where you can make the most change. At Monk Office, we started by focusing on areas where we had the largest impact on the environment: energy and paper use, waste generation and fuel consumption. By

knowing the source of your emissions it’s easier to develop a targeted approach. Plus, it’s hard to see progress without a starting point!

Get Creative While waste diversion is a critical part of our sustainability initiatives, it’s not the only way we put “Love Our Planet”, one of Monk Office’s core values, into action. Organizing company-wide beach cleanups, offering rebates on purchasing eco products and stocking Sugar Sheet (a tree-less paper option made from the byproducts of the sugar industry) at our Copy Centres are just some creative ways we’ve prioritized the environment.

We’ve been committed to improving our communities in a sustainable way since 2007, with the greater hope being to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. We feel like leading by example is the right thing to do!

Looking for more tips? Find our full Corporate Sustainability report on our website at monk.ca/csr.

Photo Courtesy Monk Office

Going green?

Come Together Our Eco Team, comprising of front-line Team Members as well as individuals from Senior Leadership, is the driving force behind our environmental initiatives. Together we determine where in our operation we have the greatest impact on the environment; then by identifying areas of improvement we plan, execute and evaluate sustainability-related initiatives. By identifying areas of improvement, we strive to mitigate the effects we have on our communities and on the planet as a whole.

EarthDay 7

Day

8 Earth

April 2019 •

is

APRIL 22nd

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April 2019 A Special Supplement to the

y a D !

h t r E8a WAYS to Boost Your Bottom

Line The various ways going

green can save you money

Make Mealtime More Eco-friendly 4 handy tips to help in the kitchen

On the Road to a Healthier Planet

How to become a more eco-friendly motorist

View this section online by scanning this code or @ www.timescolonist.com/ Special-sections

Day

2 Earth

April 2019 •

How to be an eco-friendly

motorist

The benefits

of choosing solar energy

H

D

riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity.

But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel.

Plan trips in advance.

In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home.

Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.

Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 5,000 kilometres, while others may advise tires be rotated every 8,000 kilometres. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result.

Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon

footprints. Drivers who want their driving to be as ecofriendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuelefficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.

Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbours with whom they can carpool.

Begin by posing a carpool to co-workers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if co-workers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great way for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.

ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the federal government reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 per cent since 2004.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved

payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country.

Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum.

The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.

• April, 2019

EarthDay 3

Waste not...

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable.

Want not

M

ost households in our community throw away more than a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries that could have been eaten up every year — mostly because they either don’t store their food properly or use it up in time.

Although kitchen scraps were banned from Hartland Landfill in 2015, reducing food waste in our region continues to be a priority area for pollution prevention.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of all household food waste is avoidable and, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, this volume of wasted food adds up to 8% of human-caused greenhouse gases — roughly the same as road transportation — due to the energy required to grow, harvest, process, package and transport food.

Families across the capital region can cut down on their own avoidable food waste by planning out their grocery trips and portion sizes, storing their food properly and making sure to use everything up before it goes bad.

Together, we can stop wasting food. Visit crd.bc.ca/lovefood for food storage tips, recipe ideas for past-prime fruits and vegetables and the real deal on ‘best before’ dates.

The perils of

A

bottled water

ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization

that provides reliable water projects to communities

in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the

consumption of bottled water has led some communities in

both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that

p o t s let’s d o O f TinG

Was

80 per cent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately

end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred

years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet post-production. The environmental

group One Green Planet notes that the production and

transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate,

or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While

consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is

enough to offset the environmental cost of their production

and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be

recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered

63% of household food waste is avoidable. e.

recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers

concerned about their bottled water consumption should

For food storage tips, recipes and more:

know that reusable water bottles are not only more ecofriendly, but also much more cost-effective.

lovefoodhatewaste.ca

Day

4 Earth

April 2019 •

Weatherizing

to save money and energy

H

omeowners know that maintaining a comfortable home can be a lot of work. As one project is completed or addressed, another may pop up. In spite of the hard work that can go into maintaining a home, many homeowners would agree that such efforts are well worth it to feel safe and comfortable inside one’s own home.

Weatherization is one of the ways to make a home more comfortable while also saving money and energy. Some weatherization projects may be best left to the professionals, while others can be tackled by homeowners themselves.

The following are some projects homeowners can expect to encounter as they weatherize their homes or work with professional weatherization services.

Home energy audit: The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the purpose of a home energy audit is to give homeowners a complete picture of

how they consume energy. Audits can shed light on how much energy is being consumed and if there is anywhere in the home where energy might be going to waste. Audits should be conducted before beginning any weatherization projects. Professional auditors may give advice on which areas of the home should be addressed first, while DIYers who conduct their own audits can make a list of issues before determining where to start.

Leakage: Homeowners may think leakage only poses a problem in winter, when cold air can creep in through cracks around doors and windows and make residents cold, forcing them to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

But leaks can affect comfort levels and energy bills during the summer, too, forcing homeowners to adjust their air conditioners to ensure a home is cool on hot days. Choose a cool, windy day to inspect for drafts around doors and windows. The DOE (U.S. Dept. of

Air quality

and heart health

Environment) notes that air leakage can adversely affect indoor air quality and contribute to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health.

Insulation: A poorly insulated home will cost more to heat in winter and more to keep cool in summer. The DOE notes that heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. So during winter, heat will flow from heated living spaces to unheated areas of the home, including attics and garages. In summer, heat will flow from the outdoors into the home. Properly insulating a home will decrease this flow of heat, ensuring homeowners aren’t paying to heat rooms they don’t use in winter or paying more to keep rooms cool in summer because heat is flowing in from the exterior of the home.

Weatherizing a home is a great way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and save some money.

A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

The threat posed by air pollution is greater among people who have or have had coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, bypass surgery or an angioplasty, heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or blockages in the arteries of the neck or legs.

People who have internal cardiac defibrillators also may be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to air pollution. While it’s common to assume that air pollution is only a problem for people who live in large cities, the American Heart Association warns against making such assumptions, noting that air pollution can be traced to a host of sources, including wildfires and cooking with wood stoves, that can be found outside of major cities.

The AHA also notes that researchers believe pollution has inflammatory effects on the heart that can cause cardiovascular problems.

• April, 2019

The various ways of going green

M

save consumers money

Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used Lighting furniture or antiques reduces landfill Household lighting is another area waste and cuts back on manufacturing, where consumers can protect the planet packaging and transportation, each and save money at the same time. of which can take a toll on the planet.

According to the U.S. Department of Consumers who need new furnishings Energy, Energy Star ÂŽ-qualified LED for their homes also can look for lights consume just 20 to 25 per cent of products made of recycled materials, the energy used by incandescent bulbs, which reduces landfill waste, or items all the while lasting as much as 25 times made from On the road longer than incandescents. That saves eco-friendly materials that grow Drivers who alter their driving habits people money on their energy bills. quickly, thereby reducing the need for can save money in various ways.

While LED lights are more expensive to pesticides.

Defensive driving has long been touted purchase than many of the alternatives, Going green is a commendable way to as the safest way to take to the road, but their long life expectancy means live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such an approach to driving also can consumers can expect to see returns such a lifestyle also can be a great way be financially savvy. Drivers who do not on that investment long before the bulbs to save money. frequently accelerate or stop suddenly are no longer functional. can conserve fuel, saving them any people adopt ecofriendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet.

People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet.

money at the filling station. In addition, following manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel.

Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money.

EarthDay 5

Day

6 Earth

April 2019 •

Make mealtime

more eco-friendly Ecofriendly suggestions

for expecting parents

A

n eco-friendly lifestyle is anything but selfless, as such a way of life can pay both immediate and long-term dividends, helping men and women in the present day while also contributing to healthier futures for generations to come.

As environmentalists and eco-friendly ordinary Joes no doubt already know, there are myriad ways to go green. Even mealtime at home can be made considerably more eco-friendly with relatively little effort.

Stop handwashing dishes.

Men and women who dread having to hand wash their dishes after a nice meal have an ally in science. A study from researchers in Europe found that people who handwashed place settings for 12 people used as much as 27 gallons of water, while washing the same amount of place settings in a dishwasher required just four gallons of water. So instead of standing over a sink and washing dishes by hand each night, men and

E

women can simply load up the dishwasher, making sure only to run it when it’s full so even less water is wasted.

Avoid the stove when possible.

Empty nesters, couples without children or single men and women who want to save energy come mealtime can use toaster ovens in lieu of traditional stoves when preparing small meals.

According to EnergyStar ®, toaster ovens consume between onethird to one-half the amount of energy as conventional electric ovens when cooking small meals, making them a far more eco-friendly option for men and women who typically cook small meals for one or two people.

Shop with reusable bags.

Cooks know that great meals begin at the grocery store, so there’s no reason why ecofriendly cooking cannot begin there as well. Estimates suggest that as many as 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States alone each year.

Environment Massachusetts

reports that such bags are used for an average of 12 minutes, even though their life expectancy is as high as 1,000 years.

By relying on reusable cloth shopping bags instead of singleuse plastic bags, shoppers can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of cooking their own meals.

Recycle materials.

Glass jars, plastic butter tubs, milk cartons, and other items necessary to prepare meals at home are all recyclable.

Many local governments have weekly if not biweekly pickups of recyclable materials, making it easier than ever to ensure these items are given new life after being used. Men and women who reside in areas without such pickups can go it alone, collecting recyclable materials and periodically transporting them to nearby recycling centres.

Mealtime provides a host of opportunities for eco-conscious men and women to embrace practices that protect the planet.

xpecting parents want their babies to be born healthy and stay healthy throughout their lives. The environment into which children are born can go a long way toward determining the health of newborns.

Before the news that a child is on the way arrives, men and women may give little thought to the products they use around their homes. But the moment expecting parents learn their families are about to get bigger is a great time to begin re-examining certain practices around their homes and instituting some changes where necessary.

Reconsider lawn care practices. While past studies examining a link between pesticide exposure and birth defects were less than definitive, researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara examined birth certificate records of more than half a million single births in

the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley between 1997 and 2001.

They found that babies born to mothers with high pesticide exposure levels suffered a host of birth defects, including low birth weight. While such defects were only identifiable in cases where women were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of pesticides, parents can still exercise caution and avoid using pesticides when caring for their lawns.

Purchase solid wood furniture. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that enter the air as gases from some solid or liquids.

The New York State Department of Health notes that short-term exposure to high levels of certain VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, among other symptoms.

Long-term exposure to VOCs has been found to adversely affect the nervous systems of laboratory animals. When

purchasing furniture for their children’s nurseries, expecting parents should avoid buying pressed wood products, which may contain the VOC formaldehyde. Instead, look for solid wood furniture made with a lowemitting finish.

Make children’s food as they begin eating solids.

Children begin eating solid foods such as fruit and vegetables even before they have teeth. Rather than buying baby food from the store, parents can purchase organic fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides. Residue from pesticides may stick to foods such as apples, peaches and pears.

Parents who buy and then prepare organic food are doing all they can to ensure their babies are not exposed to pesticides through their diets.

Expecting parents can take several steps to make their homes as ecofriendly as possible before the births of their children.

• April, 2019

Here’s how we transformed our business

By Monk Office

T

hough we’ve been dedicated to helping the local community since the company was founded in 1951, in 2007 we decided that the next step in our dedication was to help promote sustainability. To do this, we needed to transform our operations with the goal of drastically reducing our carbon footprint. We believe every generation should inherit a healthier Earth than the one before it. To achieve that, we expect more from ourselves than the Earth, and give back more than we take with sustainable business practices that minimize our impact on the planet. In the past 12 years, we’ve been able to divert 99% of our landfill waste through reusing, recycling and composting efforts.

But it took a bit more than sorting through our trash to achieve and sustain these results. Whether you’re a business just starting out on the path to sustainability, or you’re a seasoned workplace environmentalist looking for your next project, these tips just might help you take the next step.

Route optimization and the use of lower-emission, more renewable fuel are two of the ways Monk Office has decreased environmental impact.

Data Matters Knowing where you started is a crucial step in any journey towards sustainability. Measuring your usage and consumption is a great way to determine where you can make the most change. At Monk Office, we started by focusing on areas where we had the largest impact on the environment: energy and paper use, waste generation and fuel consumption. By

knowing the source of your emissions it’s easier to develop a targeted approach. Plus, it’s hard to see progress without a starting point!

Get Creative While waste diversion is a critical part of our sustainability initiatives, it’s not the only way we put “Love Our Planet”, one of Monk Office’s core values, into action. Organizing company-wide beach cleanups, offering rebates on purchasing eco products and stocking Sugar Sheet (a tree-less paper option made from the byproducts of the sugar industry) at our Copy Centres are just some creative ways we’ve prioritized the environment.

We’ve been committed to improving our communities in a sustainable way since 2007, with the greater hope being to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. We feel like leading by example is the right thing to do!

Looking for more tips? Find our full Corporate Sustainability report on our website at monk.ca/csr.

Photo Courtesy Monk Office

Going green?

Come Together Our Eco Team, comprising of front-line Team Members as well as individuals from Senior Leadership, is the driving force behind our environmental initiatives. Together we determine where in our operation we have the greatest impact on the environment; then by identifying areas of improvement we plan, execute and evaluate sustainability-related initiatives. By identifying areas of improvement, we strive to mitigate the effects we have on our communities and on the planet as a whole.

EarthDay 7

Day

8 Earth

April 2019 •

is

APRIL 22nd

Do your part, with these advanced Hybrid models from Honda!

2019

CLARITY Plug-In Hybrid MSRP starting from

$40,100

Eliminates range envy Ask about the CEV $5,000 Rebate

2019

2019

ACCORD HYBRID

INSIGHT Hybrid

MSRP starting from $28,090

Coming June 2019 FIND YOUR DREAM DRIVE TODAY.

Mon-Thurs 8:30-7 pm Fri + Sat 8:30-6 campushonda.com 506 Finlayson Street, Victoria

250-388-6921