2. Environmental Improvements in Our Operations

Each year, we review our environmental programs and determine where we can expand or introduce new policies. Among the new programs introduced in 2007:

Zero Waste

“We applaud the efforts of Hbc and the property management team in attempting to reduce their environmental footprint by taking the Simpson’s Tower to zero waste. We would like to see more companies and facilities in the City of Toronto, and across Canada, work toward such a goal. The program is challenging but the rewards in terms of the impact on the local environment are significant.”

Ted Manziaris, President of
Turtle Island Recycling


Waste reduction and recycling is a key focus for Hbc. In June 2007, Hbc’s head office became the first office tower in Canada to be certified zero waste by Zero Waste International Alliance after a third-party audit performed by C.D. Sonter Environmental Consultants. Two other Hbc office buildings and seven of its retail locations also gained this distinction, which signifies that these buildings achieved more than a 95 percent waste diversion rate from landfill.

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Recycling Across Hbc Stores

Hbc has established an intense waste diversion work plan with the goal of increasing waste diversion from 56 percent to 90 percent in 2007. At the end of 2007, Hbc achieved that goal, with every store diverting all clean plastic, fine paper, plastic hangers, corrugated cardboard, cafeteria grease and store-use print cartridges. All new Hbc stores are required to achieve a 90 percent diversion rate at the outset.

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Preserving Water

We recognize that we need to reduce the use of water in our operations and, as a result, we monitor water consumption in our stores. In 2006, our store water consumption was 7.0 percent below our 2003 baseline year.

Water consumption is reported for all buildings that are metered by the supplier. No estimates were made for consumption that was billed on a non-metered basis.

  2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Water Consumption (m3)* 2,165,462 1,964,601 1,973,699 2,113,393 1,977,420
Reduction from Baseline   9.3% 8.9% 2.4% 8.7%
Intensity (m3/1,000 sq. ft.) 54.2 49.8 50.9 54.6 52.1

*Water consumption is tracked in 70% of Hbc stores. Consumption totals have been recalculated to eliminate estimated data where possible. Consumption totals include 3%–16% estimated data.


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Waterdown Zellers

2007 marked the opening of Hbc’s greenest Zellers ever in Waterdown, Ontario. This location is one of the most ecologically friendly retail stores in Canada, having a variety of progressive features that will minimize its impact on the environment. It measures 120,000 square feet and employs approximately 200 associates.

The energy conservation measures include:

  • Two wind generators that will provide the energy equivalent of one house’s needs
  • Solar panels
  • White roof for effective heat reflection
  • Energy recovery ventilators (ERV) for effective energy reduction
  • Heating/ventilating air conditioning (HVAC) units, which are highly energy-efficient units that use non-ozone-depleting refrigerant
  • Pressure relief assembly (PRA) to reduce non-conditioned air infiltration into the building
  • Light-emitting diode lights in illuminated signage.

This new location also features a BAS that can control a number of features such as: timing of indoor and outdoor lights, temperature setback, CO2, humidity, temperature, record kWh consumption, energy demand, remote lighting and HVAC from an outside central location.

Recycling measures include:

  • Facilities for the return of rechargeable batteries and cell phones
  • Promote and sell Global Mind recyclable shopping bags
  • Four-chamber recycling centre so that customers can recycle plastic shopping bags, bottles and cans, organics and paper
  • Solar-powered recycling compactor
  • Zero waste program standards
  • Green cleaning products used in cleaning stores

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Biodiesel Fleet

In 2007, Hbc increased the number of B20 biodiesel fuel trucks to 17 and started using B5 biodiesel trucks for local shipments. We have also installed three lightweight Rodoors on trailers to lower the overall weight on those units. Hbc has been using biodiesel trucks since 2006, which has enabled the Company to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Our transport fleet is tested frequently to ensure the highest efficiency possible.

Fleet Fuel Efficiency

  2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Km/litre 2.66 2.61 2.62 2.61 2.55

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Lighting Retrofits and BAS

In 2007, Hbc continued to retrofit all of its stores with energy-efficient lighting and building automation systems. BAS are store-level energy control systems connected to a central monitoring and tracking station. Through this station, Hbc can monitor daily energy consumption and identify equipment failure to ensure energy efficiency.

Lighting Retrofits (stores equipped with T8 lighting)

  2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Banner Retros Stores % Retros Stores % Retros Stores % Retros Stores % Retros Stores %
Zellers 169 312 54% 195 298 65% 213 291 73% 239 283 84% 251 280 90%
Bay 14 96 15% 17 98 17% 34 98 35% 37 97 38% 51 98 52%
Home Outfitters 43 45 96% 45 47 96% 56 56 100% 59 59 100% 61 61 100%
Designer Depots n/a n/a n/a 1 1 100% 7 7 100% 9 9 100% 9 9 100%
Distribution Centres 1 11 9% 1 11 9% 2 11 18% 3 10 30% 3 10 30%
Total 227 464 49% 259 455 57% 312 463 67% 347 458 76% 375 458 82%

BAS

  2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Banner BAS Stores % BAS Stores % BAS Stores % BAS Stores % BAS Stores %
Zellers 251 312 80% 262 298 88% 262 291 90% 261 283 92% 257 280 92%
Bay 20 96 21% 22 98 22% 32 98 33% 45 97 46% 44 98 45%
Home Outfitters 6 45 13% 11 47 23% 18 56 32% 23 59 39% 26 61 43%
Designer Depots n/a n/a n/a 1 1 100% 7 7 100% 9 9 100% 9 9 100%
Distribution Centres 1 11 9% 1 11 9% 2 11 18% 3 10 30% 3 10 30%
Total 278 464 60% 297 455 65% 321 463 69% 341 458 74% 339 458 74%

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