Sustainable Peterborough: A Case Study

Ontario East Municipal ConferenceSeptember 16, 2009

History/Current Practices

•1989 - Mayor holds Roundtable on Environment

•1991 - Task Force on Sustainable Development, 300 community representatives and members of public participate

How did things change?

•early adoption: extensive recycling programs, lawn watering regulations

•low-flow toilet replacement program in mid-’90’s

•energy and water efficiency retrofits in a number of City-owned buildings

•conversion of RR lines to trails

•attention to expanding greenspace

Peterborough Green-Up•Energy – home audits, green solar audit, CFL replacement program, low-income programs

•Water – Children’s Water Festival, Well Aware, water efficiency hardware/rain barrels, special projects

•Air Quality/Transportation – Active and Safe Routes to School, On-the-Bus workshops, Workplace Challenge, anti-idling education

• Landscape - Ecology Park, pesticide education campaign, Green Garden Visit service, Urban Forest program

•Waste Reduction – Quest for Less School program, Lug-A-Mug, vermicomposting workshops

• Sustainable Business program/Faith and Common Good

Peterborough Green-Up results•2008 - over 15 000 youth and 9 000 adults participants

•over 4 500 energy audits, ~ $2.7 in economic activity & ~$600 000 in grants 2008

•over 500 Well Aware visits

•2009 - 24 000 vehicle trips & 18 Tonnes CO2 in annual Workplace Challenge

•2008 - waste audits in 18 schools with 900 students participating, ~7500 students in Quest for Less

• over 170 businesses undertaking energy efficiency measures

• currently 80 volunteers inventorying urban trees

•over 12,000 students participated in water festival

Has it had an influence?

•Region gained reputation as being green

• Strong partnerships within community

•High level of participation by residents, businesses and organizations

•City named 5th best community in Canada for walking