Minto Sustainability
In 1999, Minto created a dedicated Energy Management division, focused on improving its impact on natural resource consumption. A portfolio-wide initiative of retrofitting building systems resulted in a savings of over 4 million dollars and an annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 20,000 tonnes - equivalent to the oxygen produced by 2 million trees. All demonstrating that green is good business.
Today that dedicated team is Minto Sustainability - committed to defining, measuring, and reducing the Environmental Footprint for Minto and their customers. Minto Sustainability works in collaboration with all Minto groups to continuously identify new opportunities to enhance and create products and services that contribute to a healthier planet. They help to improve energy efficiency and reduce Minto's resource consumption by tracking and reporting on energy and water savings - ensuring our buildings are operating as efficiently as possible.
Minto's internationally recognized Sustainability staff has travelled around the world educating other industry groups and investigating new technologies and opportunities. Most recently, the staff participated in the Canada Green Building Council's annual conference, travelled to Australia and China to showcase ‘Inspiration’ the Minto Eco Home and has secured research funding from the Asia Pacific Partnership (APP) on Clean Development and Climate - focusing on the development and use of clean energy technologies. As part of the APP, Canada is one of the seven participating countries and Minto Communities was selected to develop a sustainable community within Chapman Mills Town Centre in Ottawa under that commitment. In early 2012, Minto Sustainability was represented at the Canada-Peru Workshop on Sustainable Housing/Buildings for Climate Change Mitigation in Lima, Peru. These achievements have put Minto in the forefront of leading edge innovation.
Most inspiring is the passion that the Sustainability staff have for empowering Minto employees to think green and live greener. As part of Minto's Green Team of Sustainability staff and Green Task Force members, the creation of a company-wide voluntary committee consisting of employees across all operating groups has also encouraged participation in green culture at Minto. The committee comes together to discuss new environmental initiatives and celebrates successes. Yearly green events and programs to green our offices encourage participation and create excitement around green.
We have celebrated many achievements over the years and here are just some of the practices followed company-wide:
• Double - sided photo copying and printing
• Purchasing 100% recycled paper and environmental office supplies
• Glass jugs and glassware available in our boardrooms – no paper or plastic cups are used
• Elimination of bottled water
• Green cleaning supplies
Minto is proud of the many ideas shared amongst employees and the green buzz created by our Green Champions.
