This Sunday, April 22nd is Earth Day. This year Earth Day Canada is encouraging everyone to take up a new habit that is good for the planet and you. Have you decided what your new habit might be? How about supporting an environmental social enterprise or an environmentally conscientious social business?
Green Calgary is a social enterprise that is a wonderful resource; they provide knowledge, workshops, volunteer opportunities and the healthy homes program. The Ecostore operated by Green Calgary is a great place to stock up on earth friendly products and the funds raised are then re-invested in community environmental programs. To find out more on Green Calgary and the Ecostore visit their website at http://www.greencalgary.org/ and follow them on twitter @greencalgary
Another environmental social enterprise located in Cochrane, Alberta is Home Reno Heaven. Home Reno Heaven accepts donations of home renovation products, appliances, tools and landscaping products and resells them to generate revenue for self sustaining affordable housing. If you have been thinking about acquiring new appliances, you can donate the old ones to Home Reno Heaven. They will resell them, use the proceeds to support the Cochrane Society for Housing Options and best of all there is no waste! Make sure you follow the donation guidelines, they only accept donations of products that they can resell. To learn more about Home REno Heaven and their donation program vist their website at http://www.homerenoheaven.com
Not all great organizations are social enterprises; we have some businesses in Calgary that operate with the goal of blended value. Blended value is when organizations create economic, environmental and social value. A great resource for locating and learning more about these organizations is REAP-Respect for the Earth and All People Business Association.
Founded in 2006, REAP strives to promote and support local, sustainable businesses that are committed to creating a more sustainable Calgary. These businesses contribute to their communities, buy local, use green power and pay living wage to their employees. If you want to learn more about REAP or REAP’s Business members you can visit their website http://www.reapcalgary.com and follow them on twitter @reapcalgary
We hope you enjoy Earth Day on April 22nd and we would love to hear what you did to celebrate or your new habit! Tweet us @tricofoundation or post something on our facebook here.