TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Overview
2. Energy Conservation
3. Waste Reduction
4. Chemical Disposal
5. Environmental Inspections
6. Other Resources

1. Overview

Eco-efficiency is rapidly becoming an important element of success in business. According to The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), "eco-efficiency" is described as "a management strategy of doing more with less". Eco-efficiency can be achieved through:

• Increasing product or service value
• Optimizing the use of resources
• Reducing environmental impact.

Because there is an opportunity for savings with each of these objectives, applying them makes "good business sense". In some cases, companies that adopt eco-efficient technologies and practices can stimulate productivity and innovation, increase competitiveness and improve environmental performance.

2. Energy Conservation

Smart business always means keeping your costs down, and that can include saving on energy. Unsustainable practices and inadequate equipment maintenance can cost hundreds of dollars in lost revenue a year while unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions hurt the environment.

Some general tips to lower your energy consumption in your business include:

• Turn off all lights and equipment when not in use
• Purchase low-watt bulbs
• Replace old equipment with brands that carry an ENERGY STAR® label
• Consider getting a heat recovery system to reduce heat lost from air exiting your building through the ventilation system exhaust.
• Open blinds or window coverings to heat your building and use daylight when sufficient.
• Allow employees to work from home or "tele-commute ".

Incentives and Rebates

Listed below are some ways your business can receive incentives and rebates for lowering their energy consumption.

As of July 1st, 2010 the Ontario Retail Sales Tax has been combined with the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) to create the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).  Contact the Ontario Ministry of Revenue for information on how these programs will be affected.

Environment Canada - Incentives and Rebates

Environment Canada - Incentives and Rebates can help you take advantage of grants, rebates, discounts and other incentives available to help you use less energy, switch to renewable energy and produce less waste at home and on the road.

The Solar Energy Systems Rebate

The Solar Energy Systems Rebate returns the Retail Sales Tax (RST) paid on solar energy systems to homeowners or builders, who install the energy systems into residential premises, including multi-residential premises, or who expand or upgrade an existing solar energy system.

For further information:
visit the website: Solar Energy Systems Rebate Program

Wind, Micro Hydro-Electric and Geothermal Energy Systems Rebate

As part of the 2004 Ontario Budget, the Ontario government expanded the current Retail Sales Tax (RST) rebate for solar energy systems to include wind energy systems, micro hydro-electric energy systems and geothermal energy systems installed in residential premises.

For further information:
visit the website: Wind, Micro Hydro-Electric and Geothermal Energy Systems Rebate

PowerSaver Business Incentive Program

The objective of the PowerSaver Business Incentive Program is to initiate energy conservation and load management projects within the Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural and Institutional sectors by offering financial incentives.

For further information:
visit the website: Business Incentive Program for Energy Efficiency

Energy Star Retail Tax Exemption

The Ontario government is providing a point-of-sale RST exemption for certain ENERGY STAR® qualified household products purchased, rented or leased after July 19, 2007 and before July 20, 2008. The exemption will apply to refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, freezers, dehumidifiers, room air conditioners, and qualifying ENERGY STAR®light bulbs and decorative light strings.

For further information:
visit the website: Exemption for ENERGY STAR® Household Appliances and Lighting Products

Net Metering - Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastucture

Ontario's net metering regulation allows you to send electricity generated from renewable sources to the electrical grid for a credit toward your energy costs.

For further information:
visit the website: Smart Meters

IT Related Pollution

As businesses rely more and more on computers and IT to run their day-to-day operations, they must take into concern how their computer systems and energy usage can greatly increase carbon emissions.

Energy costs can comprise 1/3 of a company's IT budget. By lowering your businesses' energy usage, organizations can greatly reduce the amount they spend on IT.

Some suggestions include:

• Upgrade servers to ones with lower power consumption
• Buy energy efficient equipment
• Recycle all office equipment, like computers, old fax-machines, etc.

According to Environment Canada, 140,000 Tonnes of "Electronic Waste" accumulate in Canadian landfills, with over 40 million tonnes generated worldwide. Recycling or repurposing office equipment, for example donating old computer or equipment to charity can greatly reduce the amount of waste created by your business.

For further information:
visit the website: Mounting Concerns Over Electronic Waste

3. Waste Reduction

In the life of a business there are many kinds of waste that can have a negative impact on the environment. Some of the most common include:

• paper
• general supplies like staples and paper clips
• toner and printer cartridges
• computer equipment
• general office equipment (telephones, fax machines, photocopiers, etc.)

Some simple things you can do to reduce office waste are:

• Whenever possible, use electronic communication, like email to reduce paper consumption
• Use recycled or reusable office products
• Buy products with less packaging
• Make sure your business has a paper recycling program
• Set your photocopiers and printers to print on both sides by default

For further information:
visit the website: Waste Management Guide For Small and Medium Enterprises

4. Chemical Disposal

Environmental Emergency (E2) Regulations

The Environmental Emergency (E2) Regulations apply to any person who owns or has the charge, management or control of a listed substance or who has a container with a capacity for that substance in excess of the specified quantity.

Chemicals Management Plan

Canada's New Government's Chemicals Management Plan will improve the degree of protection against hazardous chemicals. It includes a number of new, proactive measures to make sure that chemical substances are managed properly.

For further information:
visit the website: Chemicals Management Plan

5. Environmental Inspections

Depending on what kind of business, there are many different environmental regulations that can apply. For example, will your business generate waste, require water resources or be storing chemicals or pesticides?

The Ontario Ministry of The Environment - Business Resources

This site provides you with an overview of Ontario's Environmental Regulations, as well as a list of regulations that may apply for different types of business.

For further information:
visit the website: Ontario Ministry of the Environment - Resources for Businesses

Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch

Environmental Assessment or EA is a decision-making process used to promote good environmental planning by assessing the potential effects and benefits of certain activities on the environment. In Ontario, this process is defined and finds its authority in the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). The purpose of the EAA is to provide for the protection, conservation, and wise management of Ontario's environment.

For further information:
visit the website: Environmental Assessment

Eco-efficiency Self Assessment Tools

These online tools can help you determine how to best proceed with how to make your business eco-efficient.

For further information:
visit the website: Eco-efficiency - Self Assessment Tools

Eco-Action: Tools and Calculators

Eco-Action, a Government of Canada site, has a variety of online tools and calculators that can help you assess your businesses:

• Boiler Efficiency
• ENERGY STAR® Simple Savings Calculator
• Gigajoule and Energy Intensity
• Lighting
• Motor Selection
• Transportation Tools and Calculators

Environmental Claims: A Guide for Industry and Advertisers

Environmental Claims: A Guide for Industry and Advertisers addresses a number of commonly used green claims and provides examples of best practices on how such claims can be used by businesses to comply with the false or misleading provisions of the laws enforced by the Competition Bureau.

For further information:
visit the website Environmental Claims: A Guide for Industry and Advertisers

6. Other Resources

Environmental Data and Statistics

Statistics Canada publishes data and statistical analyses which are useful for monitoring and studying the natural environment and the impact of economic and social activities upon it.

For further information:
visit the website: Environmental protection expenditures in the business sector

Websites of Interest

• GreenBiz.com
• Sustainability How-to Guides - IFMA Foundation
• Obviously.ca
• TreeHugger
• Eco-efficiency

Related Reading

• Business Regulations Info-Guide
• Business Start-Up Info-Guide
• Your Business and the Environment Info-Guide

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you

DISCLAIMERS

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.