Options Builds Green

You've probably heard by now that Options upcoming development at Carlton and Sherbourne, the Low Carbon Condo, will be one of the most environmentally friendly in the city. The goal will be to reduce as much waste from the condo as possible.

The condo is still in the preliminary planning stages so we don't have very much information yet. We can tell you that Options is in talks with the architect of the building and the planning department to include the following features in Low Carbon Condo: (NOTE: the plans for the Low Carbon Condo are still in the very early stages. The below features are being considered.

  

• Carless condo. The ten planned parking spots will be allocated for Options for Cars car share cars. 
• On-site composting program. 
• Garbage room designed for complete garbage sorting. Each resident will be responsible for dividing waste into specific bins for garbage, recycling, green waste, battery disposal, electronic disposal, etc. 
• Grey water recycling (i.e. shower water being filtered and chlorinated and reused for toilet water in the building. Toilet water may be cloudy as a result). 
• The common laundry facility in the building may be fitted with waste saving machines that automatically dispense soap which will be provided and loaded by Property Management. 
• Suite kitchens may also be designed and fitted with removable food containers to reduce waste by encouraging bulk food purchasing and storage. There is a bulk food store conveniently located at Yonge and Carton, a 10-minute walk from the Low Carbon Condo. 

(NOTE: the plans for the Low Carbon Condo are still in the very early stages. The above features are being considered but are not confirmed to be included in the building.)


Many of the features would mean quite a large lifestyle shift for many families. Changing habits can be difficult but it is possible to live a normal lifestyle while reducing the amount of waste your household produces. Check out this story about a family who produces almost zero waste:

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp/41573752#41573752


The subject of the story is the author of "The Zero Waste Home Blog" (http://www.zerowastehome.com/) where she shares how her and families life has improved and how much happier they are since committing to live a waste-free life.


The Low Carbon Condo isn't set to launch early 2016 and occupancy probably won't start until at least 2018 but there are lots of changes you can make in your life now that will give you a head start if you are planning to purchase a home there. You don't have to commit to a completely waste free life like the Johnson family, small changes can make a big impact.

Check out the Top 10 Ways to Reduce Waste from *rethinkrecycling.com:

Bring reusable bags and containers when shopping, traveling, or packing lunches or leftovers. 

1. 

1. Choose products that are returnable, reusable, or refillable over single-use items. 
2. Avoid individually wrapped items, snack packs, and single-serve containers. Buy large containers of items or from bulk bins whenever practical. 
3. Be aware of double-packaging - some "bulk packages" are just individually wrapped items packaged yet again and sold as a bulk item. 
4. Purchase items such as dish soap and laundry detergent in concentrate forms. 
5. Compost food scraps and yard waste...Many types of food scraps, along with leaves and yard trimmings, can be combined in your backyard compost bin. 
6. Reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive. The average resident in America receives over 30 pounds of junk mail per year. 
7. Shop at second-hand stores. You can find great used and unused clothes at low cost to you and the environment. Buy quality clothing that won't wear out and can be handed down, whether to other people you know or on to a thrift store. 
8. Buy items made of recycled content, and use and reuse them as much as you can. For instance use both sides of every page of a notebook before moving on to the next clean notebook. Use unneeded, printed on printer paper for a scratch pad. 

Also, remember that buying in bulk rather than individual packages will save you lots of money and reduce waste! Packaging makes up 30% of the wait and 50% of the trash by volume. Buy juice, snacks, and other lunch items in build and use those reusable containers each day.

The Low Carbon Condo will come with many build in features that make waste saving activities obligatory, but you can start implimenting many waste saving habits into your daily life right now!


'Like' the Low Carbon Condo on Facebook for updates and information about important dates.


To be added to the interested list to be among the first to learn about the Low Carbon Condo give us a call at 416-867-1501 ext. 221 or email reception@optionsforhomes.ca

*sourced from: https://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/reduce/top-10-ways-reduce-waste