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
Learn how to help conserve electricity in your TCHC building
City of Toronto resources
To learn more about the City of Toronto's conservation efforts, check out the following links:
