Conservation
The Conservation team helps lead Toronto Community Housing to a more sustainable future.
In light of the ever-increasing effects of climate change and the pressures facing the City of Toronto, City officials have developed an ambitious climate action strategy; TransformTO sets bold greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
- Thirty percent reduction by 2020
- Sixty-five percent reduction by 2030
- Net-zero by 2050
What does the Conservation team do?
Toronto Community Housing is the second-largest social housing provider in North America and one of the largest employers in Toronto. This puts us in a unique position to help support the City's climate change goals. Established in 2020, our Conservation team helps lead the organization to a more sustainable future. The Conservation team focuses on:
Staff education
- Ongoing learning and educational sessions
- Checklists for responding to tenants' utility-related complaints
- Building utility reports
Tenant education
- In-suite electricity use and monitoring and education
- Thermostat use education
- Community-specific programming
Green Office
- Green office performance ratings for tenant service hubs and TCHC offices
- Collaborate with vendors to promote the purchase of eco-friendly office supplies
- Green office educational programs
Waste Program
- Illegal dumping monitoring
- Create a standard of procedures for the waste management program
- Waste enclosure signage
- Waste kits distributed to tenants
- Sharps disposal program
Objectives
To foster a culture of conservation at Toronto Community Housing, the Conservation team is implementing several initiatives and programs.
These initiatives and programs will help:
- Toronto Community Housing meets its commitment to reduce energy consumption by 25 per cent by 2028
- Support the organization in water consumption, electricity, natural gas and waste reduction
- Educate tenants and staff on behaviors that will improve tenants' quality of life while also decreasing utility consumption
- Educate tenants and staff about how to utilize new energy-efficient equipment and capital upgrades
- Ensure all tenant-facing capital investment measures include conservation education and training opportunities
- Limit savings erosion of capital investments through training and education
- Engage tenants in incorporating conservation into the community
Resources
We offer a collection of conservation education and engagement materials for tenants. To request a printed or a translated copy for your building or community, please contact the Client Care Centre at 416-981-5500 or email help@torontohousing.ca.
A list of tenant resources:
- Thermostat user guide (model-specific)
- Guide to using water upgrades (e.g., tap aerators, showers, toilets)
- Tips for energy-efficient lighting
- Door hangers with conservation messaging Waste kits
- Conservation Program handout
City of Toronto resources
To learn more about the City of Toronto's conservation efforts, check out the following links: