Call for Applications: 2010 John de Gonzague Pollution Prevention Visionary Award

The Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention is currently inviting applications for the 2010 John de Gonzague Pollution Prevention Visionary Award. The Award recognizes individuals who inspire and achieve excellence in advancing pollution prevention. Read more about the Award HERE.

If you know someone who should be considered for the Award, please complete and submit an application by April 15, 2010.

• Application Form

For immediate release
Tuesday, January 19, 2010

C2P2 Announces a Merger with OCETA

The Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention (C2P2) today announced a merger with the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA).

At the forefront of pollution prevention since 1992, C2P2 is recognized internationally as leaders shaping the future of sustainable production and consumption. C2P2 has successfully engaged all sectors of society in the delivery of its mandate and established a world-renowned capacity for technical and environmental advice. The C2P2's Board of Directors extends its thanks to the many supporters, including business, industrial associations, NGOs, labour, academia, governments and international organizations, who contributed to many constructive partnerships throughout the years.

The merger is effective immediately. OCETA will continue program delivery under the C2P2 banner and its core business as Canada's foremost advocate in Pollution Prevention by providing services such as the Canadian Pollution Prevention Roundtable and pollution prevention outreach and training. Kevin Jones, President and CEO of OCETA is excited about the business possibilities saying, "We welcome this opportunity to work closely with C2P2 clients and customers in advancing sustainability. This merger will build on C2P2's and OCETA's core competencies in pollution prevention and clean technology and will enable us to jointly develop and deliver new integrated sustainability services."

According to Fred Granek, OCETA's Vice President, Sustainability, "The combined expertise, skills and services of C2P2 and OCETA will allow us to work with a broad spectrum of business, public and government on sustainability, pollution prevention and cleaner production services."

Fred Granek has assumed responsibility for C2P2's operations and invites C2P2's supporters and clients to contact him about services that C2P2 can offer as well as new business opportunities. Fred Granek can be contacted at (905) 822-4133 Ext 224, fred@c2p2online.com or fgranek@oceta.on.ca.

About OCETA
OCETA is a private, not-for-profit corporation that supports the commercialization and market adoption of clean technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions. OCETA delivers the Toronto Region Sustainability Program to assist small to medium sized manufacturers in the Greater Toronto Area to reduce their costs and business risks, improve their competitiveness, while enhancing their environmental performance through process optimization, energy and water conservation, waste elimination and reduction, and the adoption of integrated sustainable solutions.

For further information on C2P2 and OCETA:
www.c2p2online.com and www.oceta.on.ca

New Sustainable Consumption Report Available

Sustainable Consumption: How do we Encourage Consumers to Purchase Sustainably? is based on primary research of consumer purchasing behaviour undertaken by C2P2 with funding from the Office of Consumer Affairs of Industry Canada. Researchers investigated Canadian specific purchasing behaviour patterns, and in particular, the environmental factors consumers take into account when making purchasing decisions of household consumer products such as kitchen surface cleaners, transportation, household appliances, and food. The results suggest possible actions that could lead to more of us incorporating sustainable consumption in our purchasing decisions.

Executive Summary (en Français)

2009 Canadian Pollution Prevention Roundtable a Great Success

The annual Canadian Pollution Prevention Roundtable (CPPR) provides a unique opportunity in Canada for corporate, government, academic and non-profit leaders, decision-makers, and practitioners to exchange ideas, share expertise, and coordinate pollution prevention efforts.

The 2009 CPPR was hosted by the Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention (C2P2) and held in Charlottetown, PEI June 14^th to 16^th.

This year the theme of the CPPR was Achieving Sustainable Prosperity through Pollution Prevention. The agenda featured more than 30 knowledgeable speakers that focused on topics ranging from sustainable production & consumption to toxics reduction and climate change. A full collection of the speakers’ informative presentations can be found here.

Beyond formal presentations, there were excellent open discussions and question & answer periods held throughout the event. Moderated by skilled chairs, these group conversations raised important themes in the field of pollution prevention including issues such as the future of pollution prevention in North America; opportunities and challenges for pollution prevention in Canadian businesses; the greater theoretical basis of pollution prevention and much more.

The John De Gonzague Pollution Prevention Visionary Award was presented to Dr. Ray Côtè. More information on the Award is available here.

As usual, a highlight of the CPPR was the Pollution Prevention Awards Gala presented by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). We were fortunate to have both the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Environment, and the Honourable Richard Brown, Minister of Environment Energy and Forestry for Prince Edward Island, in attendance to present the awards. This year seven companies were recognized for their pollution prevention achievements. We are additionally grateful for the active participation of the winners throughout the CPPR. Their enthusiasm and sharing of experiences was recognized by delegates as a valuable feature of the event. For more information on the CCME Pollution Prevention Awards Program and this year’s winners click here.

Of course the event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors. We are grateful for contributions from the Prince Edward Island Department of Environment Energy and Forestry, Manitoba Conservation, Nova Scotia Environment, the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA). We would especially like to thank our colleagues from the PEI Department of Environment Energy and Forestry and OCETA for their help with on-site planning and logistics as well as volunteer assistance. 

We are also thankful to the 2009 CPPR Steering Committee. Each year the members of the Steering Committee provide ideas, advice, promotional assistance and much more throughout the planning and coordination of the CPPR. This dedicated group of pollution prevention practitioners brings important insight and makes a valuable contribution to the CPPR.  We greatly appreciate their “behind the scenes” support.

Finally, we appreciate the contributions made by the C2P2 Board Members and Associate who joined us. 

We hope that CPPR delegates walked away from this year’s event as inspired and excited about pollution prevention initiatives in Canada as we did.

Thank you to everyone for your attendance and participation.