Ongoing Initiatives

Energy Stewardship Program

The TCDSB is trying to build a culture of Energy Conservation. There are a couple of projects that are assisting with improving awareness.

Remote Computer Shut-down - A pilot project occurred in late May early June of this year which involved 21 schools. The computers were shut-down remotely for the CEC each night at 6pm & 8pm for a two week period. The shutdown was able to impact nearly 2400 computers, which achieved approximate savings of $4200, 16,900kWh, or the equivalent of taken 3.25 cars off the road for the two weeks.

The success of this project, which was expressed via a survey of 198 staff members at all the schools involved, has led to the shut-down being implemented for all schools in the Board over the summer months, and should be rolled out in September pending Board Approval.

Stewardship Monitoring Program – This is another program which assists schools in monitoring their energy usage, and validating any conservation efforts that they implement.

• This includes auditing the school for energy usage, and analyzing where energy can be saved.
• Monitoring the hydro meter and tracking the consumption.
• Implementing an energy conservation plan to assist in reducing the schools consumption.
• Tracking the energy and dollar savings that the initiatives have created.

Currently only the CEC, and several schools are involved with this program, but the goal is to have all schools participating. The idea is that when Smart Meters are eventually installed in all of our schools by 2010, the staff and students will already be knowledgeable and conscientious of their energy usage. The Smart meters will further emphasis the culture of conservation that the schools will have created.

For information on how to participate contact Scott Grieve, Officer – Energy Conservation, 416-222-8282 x2229, scott.grieve@tcdsb.org. 

Relaunch Recycling

The TCDSB is affirming its commitment to waste diversion by inaugurating a new recycling initiative at its head office, the Catholic Education Centre.

• All disposable dishware in the building will be replaced with reusable ceramic dishes.
• Individuals using a reusable travel mug will be given a discount on coffee or tea.
• Each employee will be provided with both a smaller garbage recepticle and larger recycling bin in an effort to increase capture rates.
• A minimum of bi-annual waste audits will take place at the CEC to determine the effectiveness of new waste diversion initiatives
• Reusable Travel Mugs and Water Bottles can be purchased from the TCDSB environmental Committee to encourage reuse.

 PLEASE NOTE: The City of Toronto has gone to a single-stream recycling system – all recyclables (paper, plastic, aluminium, glass, cardboard, etc.) may go into the same recycling bin.

For information on how to participate contact Paul Deighan, Officer – (Waste Management), 416-222-8282 x2177, paul.deighan@tcdsb.org

The Energy Drill Program

TCDSB is the lead board on this pilot project which is funded by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). Four TCDSB schools (Chaminade, Cardinal Leger, St. Raphael and Mary Ward) were selected to participate in this energy conservation project. The concept is to act like a fire drill whenever there is a day of high energy demand in the province. The selected schools will have an Energy Drill team of students, teachers and the caretaker, who will be advised that a particular day is a drill day. This could be triggered by extreme hot or cold temperatures, smog advisories or a high electricity demand day. The team will jump into action and reduce the schools energy consumption. These measures will be predetermined. The message is that the staff and students are aware that there is an energy problem, and are making the effort to reduce the demand. The environmental and economic benefits are substantial, and will hopefully facilitate a cultural change within the schools towards a more energy conscientious school community.

Ideally this project is intended to be rolled out to other schools in future years. 

Environmental Auditing

The TCDSB, in an effort to fully understand their ecological footprint, and in compliance with current provincial legislation, is designing a comprehensive waste and energy auditing process.

• Currently, we are piloting various auditing techniques in elementary and secondary school environments, as well as at administrative centres.
• Our goal is to create a self-sustaining system which maximizes student involvement, and provides exceptional waste reduction and energy conservation opportunities.
• To request an audit at your school, contact Scott Grieve, Officer – Energy Conservation 416-222-8282 x2229, scott.grieve@tcdsb.org or Paul Deighan Recycling/Waste Management, 416-222-8282 x2177, paul.deighan@tcdsb.org.
   

Caretaker Cleaning Supplies Contract

Chemical & Cleaning Products:

The TCDSB is proud to announce our new custodial cleaning supply contractor, Flexo Products Limited (www.flexoproducts.com). Flexo, has been a manufacturer and distributor of cleaning products in Ontario since 1918. The combination of manufacturing and distribution gives Flexo the ability to offer excellent value, combining modern products with superb logistics. Highlights of the new program include: 

• Use of Patriot brand, Ecologo certified cleaners for general purpose cleaning, floor care and window cleaning. These “green” registered products offer both biodegradability and low toxicity to help reduce contaminants in our schools.
• Use of Flexo’s newest Perennial Plus high solids floor finish with ultra low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The product has a very tough, high gloss finish, and reduces labour by dramatically increasing the time between stripping.   
• Reduction in the quantity of products used by custodians, making for a safer, less hazardous and less complicated work environment.
• Installation of new dispensing equipment that accurately dilutes chemicals to give the best value for the board.
• Transition to a virtually paperless ordering system that includes budget control, supervisor authentication, and MSDS access.
• Delivery from Flexo’s location at Norfinch Drive, very central to most of the board’s schools.
• Ongoing product evaluation and testing through the board’s evaluation committee and Flexo’s management team.   
   

Paper Supplies:

The TCDSB is proud to announce that our new custodial paper supply contractor is Mister Chemical Ltd. (www.mistershemical.com)

Bag Supplies:

The TCDSB is proud to announce that our new custodial garbage and recycling bag supplier is Morgan Scott Partnership. The bags that have been selected are of a biodegradable material, which is more environmentally responsible than the previous bags that were being used to collect waste material. (www.morganscott-online.ca)