Resources For Business Owners

See below for some great resources on how you can make a difference in your business

Save money and the climate, business upgrades

Consider a commercial energy audit

Transform fleet & transport

Transform business energy

Less business waste, more impact

Use less, reuse more

Save money & the climate, upgrading your business

Easy switches you can make as a business to help the planet.

Reduce air leaks, improve commercial business spaces

Improve your business envelope by taking advantage of energy efficient incentives.

Save on Energy’s Small Business Resources (to reduce energy usage)

Invest in EnergyStar Products for your business needs

Upgrade lighting systems to energy efficient alternatives

Invest in energy efficient lightbulbs and lighting alternatives that reduce your energy bill and allow you to save on energy.

Save on Energy Small Business Program (Lighting incentive)

Reduce emissions from commutes - work from home

If possible, encourage work from home days during the week to reduce emissions from commuters driving on the roads.

Invest in smart-metering and timed-use pricing of electricity

Curious to know more about your business' energy bill? Look into what smart-metering is to reduce the load of electricity in off-work hours.

Learn more about Smart Metering

Consider a commercial energy audit

Save money, and it's good for the planet

Learn more about how much energy your business uses?

A commercial energy audit can save you and your business money while reducing your energy bills.

Enbridge: Consider a Commerical Energy Audit

Enova Power: FREE Energy Efficiency Audits

Transform
fleet & transport

Upgrade your transportation & fleet operations to electric alternatives that support a low-carbon transition and reduce operational costs.

Transform to low-carbon fleet transportation alternatives

Where possible, transition your fleet to low-carbon vehicle alternatives, such as hybrids or EVs.

Travelwise program

Invest in zero-emissions vehicles

Look into low-carbon fleet alternatives such as EVs for your business transportation needs.

ZEV incentives (Canada)

Transform
business energy

Alternative energy sources can be easily installed

Invest in alternative fuel and energy sources (solar, wind, etc.)

For business operations, look into alternative energy sources that can be easily installed.

Save on Energy (Retrofit upgrades to commercial spaces)

Merlyn Power – Solar retrofits

Less business waste, more impact

Reduce your business waste and impact on landfills, invest in cleaning our communities.

REDUCE PACKAGING

Where possible, reduce the amount of packaging your business uses.

Waste Audits

Select reusable or swap for Environmentally conscious packaging

Consider reusable or biodegradable packaging for your business needs.

Circulr


A Friendlier Company

Use Multi-stream Waste Services

Look into how you can support different waste collection to divert more from landfill.

SWR Organics Diversion Program

Know what goes in your bin – use informational materials (ie. posters) and educate your staff.

TerraCycle

Use less,
reuse more

You can reduce your business waste through small, purposeful steps.

GET A LIFECYCLE ANALYSIS

Getting a lifecycle analysis or a waste audit of your business waste can give you insight into your waste patterns and where you can reduce.

Lifecycle assessment

INTRODUCE MULTI-WASTE STREAM BINS

Include all types of waste stream sorting bins for compost, recycle, and garbage.

Active & sustainable: walk, bike or roll

COMMUTE TO WORK AND SCHOOL

Use the Iron Horse Trail or any of the multi-purpose trails in the Region to commute safely to work and school. Ask for accessible bike parking at schools and businesses to make it easy to secure your bike.

CONNECT TO TRANSIT HUBS

GRT makes it easy to bring your bike on the ION or busses.

PLAN YOUR BIKE TRIP

Across Waterloo Region we have an increasingly safe bike infrastructure for your everyday use. Download the Waterloo Region Cycling Guide app to plan your bike trips safely across the Region!

Woman biking on trail, blurred trees in background.