July 5, 2021
Re: IE23.1 Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy
June 25, 2021
City of Toronto, Planning and Housing Committee
Re: PH 25.17- Toronto Green Standard Review and Update
We’re thrilled to introduce a new group of multi-residential buildings that are taking ambitious action on waste, creating more sustainable buildings, and building stronger communities!
At its June meeting, Toronto City Council voted to move forward with the first phase of a Single-Use Reduction Strategy targeting disposable cups, bags, utensils and containers! This is a good first step, but it’s only the beginning. Thank you to everyone who spoke up to show support and push Council to take bold and swift action. Here’s what we won and what’s next.
TORONTO ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT JUSTICE SUPPORT, CITIZENS’ NETWORK ON WASTE MANAGEMENT, WASTE WATCH OTTAWA AND CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ASSOCIATION
The East Scarborough Storefront is an excellent model for greening hubs infrastructure with strong community engagement and involvement. Check the virtual tour and learn more about the East Scarborough Storefront.
May 11th is the second annual Day of Action on Litter - a day the Provincial Government introduced to encourage Ontarians to clean up waste in their neighbourhoods. But while residents are doing their part to reduce waste at home and clean up litter, we need our governments to take action to prevent so much waste and plastic pollution from ending up in the environment in the first place.
One of the key partners in the Toronto Environmental Alliance’s Low-Carbon Community Hubs project is the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC), a community hub in Parkdale. During the pandemic, while climate-focused activities have still continued, the hub has shifted its priorities significantly to meet community needs.
Drawing from a community-based approach used in Massachusetts, Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) supported the launch of a mutual aid network. In March, Parkdale People’s Economy, a network trusteed by PARC, quickly proposed to the local planning table the idea of building on residents' knowledge and leadership and worked with community members and local agencies to create Mutual Aid Parkdale.
Incineration, often called “energy-from-waste” or “thermal treatment”, is a toxic and harmful way to deal with waste. A report in front of City Council could allow waste to be sent for incineration in neighbouring communities in Peel and Durham - but this is counter to Toronto’s climate goals and further burdens communities facing multiple sources of pollution.
We are profiling the stories of success from buildings participating in the Zero Waste High-Rise Project. Learn more about 40 Homewood and how they are creating spaces that enable zero waste in their building.
On March 10th, City Council will vote on a motion for Toronto to endorse phasing out gas-fired electricity generation in Ontario "as soon as possible." 19 other municipalities have already endorsed this call to action. (Learn more about the campaign).
Read our letter in support of the motion.
On February 18th, City Council passed the 2021 City Budget. Read our blog for an update on funding for climate action in this year’s budget.
The Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub is an excellent example of how community hubs can model sustainability and use their social and physical infrastructure to build equitable, healthy and low-carbon neighbourhoods. We collaborated to hold two tours of the hub to foster peer learning with other community hubs. Check the virtual tour and learn more about the Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub - including how the hub is now responding during the pandemic to support a healthy and resilient neighbourhood.
This submission was sent to the Executive Committee on EX20.7 Advancing the Community Benefits Framework.
The Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)’s Zero Waste High-Rise Project is offering coaching, resources and funding support to help multi-residential buildings become zero waste leaders. By sharing success stories from leading zero waste buildings across Toronto, the Zero Waste High-Rise Project is inspiring building communities across Ontario to take action to reduce waste.
The 2021 City Budget process is underway, and this year is unlike any other. Read our analysis of the proposed budget, including 6 things to call for during the City Budget consultations.
As part of our project Accelerating Neighbourhood Climate Solutions Through Community Hubs, we’re sharing stories and exploring some of the lessons that can be learned from community hubs about our city’s emergency response and how to build low-carbon and equitable neighbourhoods.
Individual supporters play an important role in our work to build a greener city for all. We are inviting you to take our Strategic Plan Supporter Survey to share your thoughts on the future direction of TEA’s work.
TEA's Zero Waste High-Rise Project studies how high-rise buildings can become zero waste leaders, and shares success stories to inspire even more buildings to reduce waste. By participating in the project, you can take meaningful action to reduce waste and support valuable research on waste reduction in high-rise buildings.
Perth Avenue Co-op is a building in the downtown west end of Toronto. Built in 1986, it has a single tower with eight stories and 102 units. The building joined the Zero Waste High-Rise Project in Fall 2019.