Green Initiatives at the College
The College is committed to the environment and sustainable development.
The Ontario College of Teachers has moved to a new, permanent home in 2010, and improving the environmental footprint of the building is a key priority. The College is seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification for Commercial Interiors.
Renovations of the College’s new home at 101 Bloor Street West included making our new building smarter and greener while reducing energy and water consumption and operating costs.
Energy efficient
The windows in the entire building, which was constructed in 1970, have been replaced with energy-efficient double-pane glass and the exterior has been repainted. The new facility provides bicycle storage and changing rooms. Water usage has been reduced by 20 per cent by replacing washroom fixtures.
The plan calls for a 15 per cent reduction in lighting energy consumed and installing daylight sensors to dim interior lights when natural light is sufficient. Employees have direct control of lighting in work spaces and meeting rooms. All work spaces, meeting rooms, and major corridors have adequate space for recycling bins. Most of our existing furniture have been reused and most College equipment that has been relocated or bought new is Energy Star compliant.
At least 50 per cent of the construction waste from the College project has been diverted from landfills.
Certain standards meet air quality and ventilation, energy use and cooling systems. No smoking is permitted within 7.6 metres of all entrances.
Wireless solutions are used to reduce desk and computer cabling.
We have looked at ways to maximize the usefulness of this annual report to our partners in education and the public while minimizing its impact on the environment.
That’s why we produce an online annual report instead of a printed one. Other correspondence you may receive from the College from time to time is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper using vegetable based inks.