As business people, our goal is to build a sustainable business

model that will keep us in business for years to come. For example - don’t spend so much money on R&D that we go bankrupt before our first sale and don’t cut R&D budgets to the bone that we have nothing to sell next year and still go bankrupt. On a micro-level, that makes sense. Why is such “bal-anced thinking” noticeably absent on a macro-level? How can we run our business in a sustainable fashion today so that we are still able to do so tomor-row? Where to begin on your business’ path to sustainability?This can be a huge challenge for any business but here is a quick way to start

that you can sketch out on a Post-it. Ask yourself these 3 questions:• Is it smart?• is it simple?• is it profitable?If you can answer yes to all 3 of the above, then you are likely well on your

way to a sustain-able solution. Let’s try an example. Your business is growing (con-gratulations!) and you are running out of employee park-ing. Option A – add more spaces.Cost to build more spacesZoning ordinance required?

The Bulletin... by mail: Information from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

Welcome to the June edition of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade’s Bulletin... by mail. This is the time of year when

green really makes a comeback. Green plants, green grass and green trees are growing all around us, so what more appropri-ate time than this to introduce our “Green Edition”. Of course, nowadays, we all use green as shorthand for sustainability. The United Nations’ Brundtland Report, published in 1987 contains one of the best-known definitions of sustainability: Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present generation with-out compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. For business, meeting the needs of the present generation means staying in business and continuing to grow and prosper. Inspired by the work of the Board of Trade’s Eco-Business Advisory Com-mittee, this theme is a way to spread the word about the wisdom of making green decisions in your company, regardless of how big or small you are. This edition also comes at an appropriate time because the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade was recently honoured with an Environ-ment Award at the City of Pickering Civic Awards for our work with the Eco-Business Program. If you’re unfamiliar with that program, you’ll be able to read more about it in this Bulletin. Please enjoy this edition of the Bulletin…by Mail and take note of some of the excellent ideas put forward in the following columns to help you support a sustainable future for our community and our planet and even save money doing it

UPcomIng evenTsSave these Dates! Details to be announced soon!

June 28th, Patio Lunch:

July 7th Lunch & Learn

July 12th Networking After 5

For a full list of upcoming APBOT events go to: www.apboardoftrade.com

June Edition, 2011

“How can we run our business in a sustainable fashion today so that we are still able to do so

tomorrow? “

Why Recycling electronic Waste makes good Business senseBusinesses, whether small, medium or large, all rely on

technology to stay competitive. Smart phones, com-puters, and printers and other items have become neces-sary workplace tools. But when it’s time to upgrade to a new computer or trade in an old phone system, then what? The solution in many cases is to simply unplug the old item, store it somewhere and make way for the new. Businesses can generate a size-able amount of e-waste this way, often taking up precious storage space.

Throwing these items in the garbage, however, is in no one’s best interests. From a business perspective there are significant security risks. Discarded computers and other items with hard drives or SIM cards that haven’t been properly wiped, erased or destroyed may leave potentially sensitive information exposed to misuse, or even brand reputation damage.

Then, of course, there are the environmental considerations. E-waste contains materials or substances that raise concern due to their hazardous constituents, like lead in CRT moni-tors and mercury in the light of some flat panel displays. It’s important to divert this material from landfill so the haz-ardous components can’t leach into the soil and affect water quality. As well, many electronic products contain valuable materials that can be reclaimed and recycled into the manu-facturing of next-generation electronics or other goods and materials.

The good news is that there are safe and environmentally friendly alternatives for businesses that want to properly manage their unwanted items.

Explore your options. A growing number of provinces have imple-mented electronic waste diversion programs that allow businesses to drop off items at an approved site or collection event for reuse, re-furbishment or recycling. Ontario Electronic Stewardship has more than 600 collection sites across Ontario. Use the link below to find drop-off locations near you.

Ask questions. Make sure the op-tion you choose is approved by Ontario Electronic Stewardship. To save costs, some collectors may ship e-waste to landfill sites in jurisdictions where envi-ronment and health and safety regulations are virtually non-existent, so be sure to verify up-front how items are handled.

Establish an e-waste management plan. Businesses of all sizes should consider creating an end-of-life plan for their electronic assets. That way, employees know what to do with unwanted computers, for example.

Carol Hochu is the Executive Director of the Ontario Electron-ics Stewardship. To learn more about the electronics recycling program in Ontario, please visit: www.recycleyourelectronics.ca

For more information on electronics reuse and recycling for busi-ness, please contact Ontario Electronic Stewardship at:

1-888-646-1820 or business@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca.

Printing sponsored in part by:

Carol Hochu Executive Director

Ontario Electronics Stewardship

of events, seminars, and workshops within the sustainability field and report back so that we can keep the membership informed and updated accordingly.

I encourage each of you to take the challenge and download phase one of the checklist! See what other members have dis-covered, that you can improve your bottom line while being environmentally responsible and sustainable!

Gary Strange is an Insurance Broker with First Durham Insurance and Financial. He is also the Board of Trade’s 1st. Vice-President and Chair of the Eco-Business Advisory Committee (EBAC)

...continued from page 3

The Bulletin... by mail: Information from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

A sustainability Primer for Business ...eco-Business

Shawn Williamson, Partner

The Baleen Group

...Please see ‘sustainability’ on page 3

Advertise in our next Bulletin... by Mail!

Call the Office at:

905.686.0883

or email us at:

info@apboardoftrade.com.

Information from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

The Bulletin...by mail

The Bulletin... by mail: Information from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

...Please see ‘Eco-Business’ on page 4

The Bulletin... by mail: Information from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

C anada is considered one of the richest

countries in the world when it comes to our natural resources. One of our larger and most noteworthy resources is our abundance of fresh drinkable water. The landscape of Canada is riddled with countless fresh water lakes and wetlands that add to our national identity. However, having a large amount of fresh water does not necessarily mean we use it efficiently. Canadians, on average, use 326 litres of fresh water a day per person, more then twice that of the our European counterparts.

Much of our water use is centred on our agriculture industry. Growing food is water intensive and the egg, diary and meat products we cultivate from livestock are even more so. This accounts

for around 70% of our water usage and is a major source of pollution for our waterways. Erosion of land, the overuse and run off of fertilizers, pesticides and pathogens all have a noticeable impact on the fresh,

drinkable water in our rivers, lakes and wetlands. With a growing global population and with the demands for a more western style diet in developing countries, the need for food and water has already stated to place some areas in critical water stress. One third of the population of the world faces some form of water scarcity today with this number soaring to two thirds by 2025. Add the possibility for increase drought due to climate

change and you will see that fresh water is set to become a key and valuable resource for this century.We, as business owners, can do our own small part to conserve water. Technology such as low

flow toilets, grey water rain barrels and

commercial power wash facilities that collect and recycle water after use have all proven effective in reducing water waste in more arid environments. Actions such as filling sinks rather then letting faucets run when working in the kitchen or bathroom and not over watering lawns can have a huge impact with our own water foot print. Becoming aware of our water use is the first step to conserving. If your business has not already done so, consider

joining the APBOT’s EcoBusness program and work with us to make Durham Region a role model for business sustainability.

Andrew Ross of Green Diamond Industries Inc. helps provide greener solutions for business. He can be reached at 905-493-3423.

The Business of Water

Andrew Ross

Green Diamond Industries Inc.

sustainability Primer

Cost to maintain/snow removalMore pavement = drainage and heat issuesCarbon footprint impact Traffic congestion/grumpy employeesRising fuel pricesWhat to do when more growth hap-pens?Option B – don’t add more spaces.Set up a Ride sharing ProgramDesignated carpool parkingIncentives to use public transitBike racksTelework

Almost all of Option A will cost the business money – not very smart nor

profitable. Option B is much sim-pler, costs very little and you could get started tomorrow! It might even make for healthier, happier employ-ees - which is always a sustainable business model. A common refrain at this point is that our people won’t go for it – they need their cars and to all the emergency pediatric neurosurgeons reading this I think we can offer a pass. For the rest of us, let’s ponder for a moment the insanity of the 1 car, 1 parking space, 1 employee model. Are there not smarter, simpler, more cost-ef-fective alternatives? Will it take gas hitting $1.50/litre to come up with them? Stay tuned – we’re about to find out … very soon!!Try it next time you are pondering a challenge – Smart + Simple + Profit-

able = Sustainable – a good formula for sustainable business success! Shawn Williamson is a Partner with the Baleen Group, a management-consulting firm using smart, simple and profitable tools, techniques and strategies to help their clients achieve their sustainability goals and objectives.

We would love to hear your opinion on the Bulletin... by Mail.

What do we do well, what could we be

doing better?

And if you have ideas for business topics and themes, be sure to let us know.

E-mail your thoughts to :

bulletin@apboardoftrade.com.

Is Your Business an eco-Business?

Gary Strange First Durham Insurance

And Financial APBOT

1st. Vice President and

Eco-Business Advisory Committee

...Continued from on page 1

“We, as business owners, can do our own small part to conserve water.”.

If you’re reading this, so are your potential

customers!

Chair,Peter Forint,Wardell Professional Development

Andrew RossGreen Diamond Industries Inc.

Arnold HelbertProperty Blox Don Terry Ontario Power Generation

Gary StrangeFirst Durham Insurance and Financial

Judy GawEco Environment Plus

Maryam NassarToronto and Region Conservation Authority

Michelle PearceCity of Pickering

Nathan MacDonaldAjax Pickering Board of Trade

Rachael WraithDurham Sustain Ability

Tracey ChalaTown of Ajax

Committee ObserverIris NicolaisonAjax-Pickering Board of Trade

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade eco-Business Advisory committee (eBAc)

As a demonstration of its con-tinued commitment to sustain-

able business practices, the Council of the APBOT recently voted to elevate the status of the Environ-ment Task Force to full committee ranking.

With this promotion has come a new name and the Eco Business Advisory Committee was born.

The mandate and mission of this committee continues to primarily focus on providing members of the APBOT with information on sus-tainable business practices that can enhance business operations and ultimately assist with improved bottom line results while improving their environmental footprint.

The Eco Business Checklist is one tool that the Committee has devel-oped and is a three phase program that allows businesses to review

their operations from a variety of perspectives and enhance their pro-cedures through implementing new sustainable strategies, practices and focus.

So far, over 25 members of the APBOT have committed to the first phase of this program and one mem-ber has completed the second phase.

I encourage each member to take a look at the information on our website and take the challenge and commit to phase one of this exciting program! You will find that you are

probably already do-ing many of the sug-gestions made and others are of a low or no cost option.

Upon receipt of your completed checklist (please email it to us!), you will be con-tacted so that we can arrange a presenta-

tion of your commitment certificate and discuss your next steps within the program.

Thanks to our part-ners on the committee from the City of Pickering, Town of Ajax, Durham Sus-tainability, To-ronto Region Conservation Authority and our other members at large, we are able to continue to for-ward to you information on various sustainability initiatives occurring in the Region and beyond and the opportunities for our membership to participate!

Your committee continues its work in other areas as well. The APBOT has “adopted” Lynn Heights Park in Pickering and we participate in two clean ups per year. We also part-nered with OPG, Lincoln Avenue School, First Durham Insurance, Maple Ridge Public School and John McLellan Contracting in the recent Africycle Bicycle Collection. Com-mittee members also attend a variety

“I encourage each member to take a look at the information on our website and take the

challenge and commit to phase one of this exciting program! ”