Sustainable living. Island style.

Having been in the retail business for thirty-one years, Woodgrove has long embraced the importance of the 4 Ps – Product, Placement, Price and Promotion. These days we are focused on a different set of Ps  - Planet and People. We have developed initiatives to help create a greener shopping experience and create a better sustainable living environment.

In 2011, Woodgrove Centre won first place in an internal Ivanhoe Cambridge competition for the best Extreme Sustainability Makeover (ESM) proposal, allowing us to set into action and work towards our initiatives with the awarded funds. During the 2012 year, Woodgrove will continue to work towards a goal of achieving a more “Sustainable” shopping centre.

Our initiatives:

WATER

THE GRASS ISN’T ALWAYS GREENER.
Irrigation  reduction: During the summer, Woodgrove Centre significantly reduces the irrigation of the grass.  This initiative reduced irrigation consumption by approximately 50% in 2011.

WHY THE WEST COAST RAIN IS NOT A PAIN.
Rainwater harvesting program: In June 2012, a 9,000 litre rainwater collection tank was installed in the Loading Bay behind Toys R Us. The rainwater collected from a portion of the roof will be used to sustain shrubs and for the car washing service available in the parking lot. Only 5 litres of water is used to wash one car. The business utilizes approximately 14,400 litres each month.

NATURE’S CALLING. QUITE LITERALLY.
Low flow toilet conversion: In 2010, the centre’s public washroom urinals were converted to low flow units, saving 88% of the water normally consumed. In May 2012, 75 – 13 litre toilets in the public washrooms and retailer units were replaced with 4.8 litre toilets, saving an estimated 4.7 million litres of water per year.

WASTE

WASTE MANAGEMENT IS ALWAYS IN FASHION.

Let’s make waste disappear: A unique plastic bag recycling display was unveiled May 12, 2012 during Nanaimo Recycling Exchange’s Environmental Mind Grind Challenge. In addition to diverting plastic bags from the landfill, the display creates awareness of the importance of taking care of the environment.

Organic recycling: In November 2010, Woodgrove launched its organic recycling program conveniently located in the food court, diverting approximately 31 tonnes of compostable material from the landfill annually.

Woodgrove has diverted 48.5% of its waste from landfills through its recycling programs. 

WE’RE NOT JUST GOING GREEN. WE’RE GOING CLEAN.
Clean Nanaimo: Woodgrove Centre has partnered with Nanaimo Green Patrol, to work towards making Nanaimo a cleaner place to live, work and play. Woodgrove Centre staff volunteered to clean North Nanaimo neighbourhoods in April 2012 and collected 18 bags of garbage.

WE’RE SO PRO-RECYCLING, WE EVEN RECYCLED THIS HEADLINE.
e-waste recycling: e-waste recycling: Woodgrove Centre has partnered with the WAVE Babes “Think Pink When You Think Green” campaign, a fundraising initiative for the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. This worthy cause supports both the environment and health care programs in Nanaimo by way of collection of electronics, scrap metal and returnable beverage containers. Events take place in January, April and October. 2012 recycling results: 280 kg of end of life electronics, 3.71 tonnes of scrap metal, $843 in bottles.

ELECTRICITY

CORRIDOR LIGHTS ARE GREAT. WHEN YOU’RE IN A CORRIDOR.
Corridor lighting controls: Woodgrove has added additional energy management controls to back corridor lighting to reduce energy consumed by ensuring the lights are turned off automatically when not required after hours.

KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES STORE.
Store lighting conversion project: 

Energy-efficient light bulbs use approximately 75% less energy than standard bulbs. With various tenant upgrades and renovations underway, Woodgrove is encouraging retailers to invest in energy-efficient LED lighting. Two recent examples of this in practice include A Step Ahead and Walk In Comfort.

Lighting projects are saving approximately 45,000 kilowatt hours per day.

CARPOOLING

CARPOOLING. FUNNY WORD. GREAT CONCEPT.

Carpooling: To reduce the number of staff vehicles commuting to the centre, Woodgrove has created a carpooling program for the onsite staff. This program allows employees to register online and match their travel with other carpoolers. Click here for more information.