Links
Green links
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BuildSmart: Greater Vancouver's source for sustainable building information
CaGBC (Canada Green Building Council)
The Canada Green Building Council is being formed to accelerate the design and construction of Green Buildings across Canada. The Council is a broad-based inclusive coalition of representatives from different segments of the design and building industry. -
Green your office
Frogfile offers an extensive catalogue of green office products at a great price and under one roof.
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R2000 Homes
R-2000 homes are the most energy-efficient and environmentally responsible new homes on the market.
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SPEC
The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation and their GreenPages are an excellent resource for all things sustainable. Founded in 1969, The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is a non-profit charitable organization that addresses environmental issues in British Columbia, with a particular focus on urban communities in Lower Mainland and the Georgia Basin. SPEC is a member-based society with an elected Board of Directors and a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. The Directors, members, staff and volunteers actively participate in SPEC's on-going environmental projects.
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Light House Sustainable Building Centre
Light House Sustainable Building Centre is an enterprising non-profit society dedicated to advancing and catalyzing sustainability in British Columbia's built environment. We offer a range of free and fee-based programs and services out of our 1,300 square foot office, resource and display centre on Granville Island.
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Environmental Youth Alliance
EYA is a community development organization dedicated to improving our physical and social environment through hands on community projects that involve, train and employ young people.
Recycling
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Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)
recycling@rbrc.com
1.800.822.8837
Accepts common rechargeable batteries. Collection depots at A&B Sound, Blacks Photography, Canadian Tire, Cell City Communications, Future Shop, London Drugs, Mountain Equipment Co-op. No Fee.
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Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)
1.800.822.8837
Vancouver depots at London Drugs, Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Source By Circuit City, The Bay, Staples Canada/Business Depot outlets. No Fee.
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Recycling Council of British Columbia
604.732.9253 or 1.800.667.4321
A non-profit organization working towards waste avoidance. Supports waste management solutions by conducting research, facilitating the exchange of ideas and providing information services.
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fresh start recycling
Fresh Start Recycling and Disposal Ltd. helps home owners, building managers, and construction contractors in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and the North Shore to rid themselves of unwanted items.
Green Certification
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LEED
LEED® Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations version 1.0 is an adaptation of the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System (LEED®), tailored specifically for Canadian climates, construction practices and regulations. It was adapted from the USGBC's LEED-NC® 2.1 and influenced by anticipated changes planned for version 2.2.
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Canada Green Building Council
The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) accelerates the design and construction of green buildings in Canada.
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Build Green
Built Green is an industry driven voluntary program that promotes "green" building practices to reduce the impact that building has on the environment. It benefits the home buyer, the community and the environment and is an opportunity for everyone to choose a "green" future.
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Recollective
The Recollective offers a core group of services based on the expertise of our founders. This includes integrated design process (IDP) facilitation, LEED for new construction facilitation, LEED for neighbourhood development facilitation, green building consulting, and marketing green buildings.
Building Resources
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Better Buildings for Greater Vancouver
Initiated by the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) and its partners, this site acts as a one-stop resource to retrofitting buildings to perform at higher efficiency. It provides resources for municipal sector, institutional, commercial and industrial building types. Included in this website are resources for financing, various initiatives, supports and case studies.
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EBN: Environmental Building News
A monthly newsletter and web site covering all aspects of green building design in North America. Go here to access articles from past issues of Environmental Building News; summaries of EBNs current issue feature articles; product reviews, and article-related links. They also publish GreenSpec, Green Building Advisor software, and co-sponsors excellent listservs on green homes and commercial buildings.
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Greener Building
The resource for environmentally responsible building development is a free, Web-based resource to help companies of all sizes and sectors understand and address building design, construction, and operation in a way that aligns environmental responsibility with business success.
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Oikos
Oikos is a World Wide Web site devoted to serving professionals whose work promotes sustainable design and construction. That's a broad goal, but then environmental sustainability touches virtually every aspect of a building.
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Smart Growth on the Ground
Smart Growth on the Ground is an innovative program to change the way that development is done in BC, by creating real, built examples of smart growth.
This unique program helps BC communities to prepare more sustainable neighbourhood plans – including land use, transportation, urban design, and building design plans. Extensive follow-up ensures that the plans become reality.
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EcoDesign Resource Society (EDRS)
The EcoDesign Resource Society (EDRS) is a not-for-profit organization which promotes environmentally responsible ('green') design, planning and development practices through research, education and communication. In the main, EDRS acts as a resource and forum for discussion on green design. As a non-profit, non-political, professionally-oriented group, it has been instrumental in promoting more environmentally-responsible development practices in B.C. EDRS is solely supported by membership fees and grants from foundations for specific projects.
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Smart Lighting & Temperature Control
This is a home automation system that will give you control of your home and make it easy to conserve energy and water. The eco-friendly products include: advanced temperature control and smart lighting. Example of smart lighting: Dimming your lights by 25% reduces electricity consumption by 20% and extends the life of the bulbs by 4 times longer. The light sensors allow Control4 to adjust the lighting levels on your dimmer automatically so you never use more light than you actually need.
Tips
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Twelve-step Process for Achieving 100% Fossil Fuel Reduction
A Twelve-step Process for Achieving 100% Fossil Fuel Reduction in British Columbia. An 18' video webcast by Guy Dauncey from Montreal COP-11. (scroll down to December 8th, at 5:30pm)
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Ten Steps to a Cooler Planet
Produced by Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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GreenBiz.com
This page features a series of free viewable short videos on sustainability and social responsibility. They're designed to further public awareness about sustainability and related issues of the day.
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Solar Basics
What you need to know about a solar powered home.
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Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating
Basics on Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating.
Real Estate
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Mac Green
This is a link to the new program that Macdonald Realty to make your real estate transaction green by allowing you to get carbon credits for buying or selling real estate. Check it out for more information.
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Multiple Listings Services
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Canadian Real Estate Association
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Real Estate Council of British Columbia
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Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia
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Real Estate Institute of British Columbia
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Real Estate Institute of Canada
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BC Residential Tenancy Office
Television
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National Geographic
straight forward video clips to show people how to "green live" in your kitchen, living room, laundry , bedroom... this can be the starter's 1st website to visit.. it gives you a good idea about green living in a very short time and in an effective manner...
Transportation
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Co-operative Auto
The Co-operative Auto Network (CAN) is a not-for-profit co-operative venture incorporated to foster car sharing as an alternative to the privately owned automobile. We believe CAN is an environmentally responsible and economically sound choice for many people's mobility needs. Through car sharing we aim to improve air quality, reduce stresses on green space and eliminate many non-point sources of pollution.
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Vancouver Boat Tours and Charters: explore Vancouver by boat.
Experience adventure and freedom that only private boat charters can provide.