Becoming greener at CBC/Radio-Canada

At CBC/Radio-Canada, we recognize that our operations have an impact on the environment so we’ve been quietly taking a number of steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Our efforts are by no means complete; in fact our journey has just begun. Here’s what we’re up to inside CBC/Radio-Canada:

A policy to guide decisions

We’ve adopted an Environment Policy that commits us to the principles of sustainable development, as well as to integrating environmental and economic factors into decision making for all activities.

Species at Risk

Our Transmission division undertook a study in 2007-2008 to determine whether, and to what extent, our work at transmitter sites across the country is impacting the surrounding plant and animal life.

We are now preparing an action plan to address the findings of the study.

Energy saving programs

A number of our buildings consume dramatically less energy than the market average for similar buildings.

Recently the St. John’s NL building received an Award of Excellence from the Building Owners and Managers Association [BOMA] of NL. Other buildings in Vancouver, Regina and Calgary, the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto and la Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal have been certified BOMA BEST, which are outstanding examples of our continuing commitment to environmentally responsible building management.

Recycling programs

In 2007, the CBC Replay program introduced organic waste recycling at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto.

The Corporation’s largest sites operate recycling programs. In Toronto and Montreal, 70% and 50% of building waste is diverted respectively. Nationally, we divert 61% of our waste from landfill.

In Montreal, in 2008-09, to assist with the waste diversion rate, all sets for programs that were no longer required were sent to a sorting center to increase the recycling rate of material.

In Montreal, a recycling program has been introduced for used paint.

E-waste

In 2008-09, 59 tonnes of electronic waste was ultimately recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.

A cell phone take back program for business and personal phones was also introduced.

Working together

Every little bit helps, employees work together by sharing their tips and advice for a greener planet. Employee suggestions have contributed to new initiatives such as the use of more electronic forms and paperless processes internally, commuting to work pilot programs, more use of public transit, the use of LED lighting in studios at CBC Toronto, employee Green teams, and recycling programs. These are a few things that our people are doing to make a difference.