The Burnaby Board of Trade has gone green – so green, in fact, that it has received Climate Smart certification for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The BBOT received the certification after taking steps to decrease travel emissions and paper consumption. The board has committed to a carpooling policy, as well as encouraging members to bike or take transit to events.
“We see it as a part of our leadership role to help our members become more sustainable and to celebrate their successes in our community,” stated BBOT CEO and president Paul Holden of the certification. “A part of that leadership was making sure that our own house was in order and they we understood our impacts and implemented strategies to reduce them.”
They’ve also implemented a policy to take transit to all downtown meetings, decrease single-occupancy commutes to work by five per cent and purchase 30 to 50 per cent recycled paper for in-house use.
The initiative is part of the BBOT’s Pledge for a Sustainable Community, launched in May 2013. To date, 115 businesses have taken the pledge.
For more information, visit bbotpledge.ca/portfolio/burnaby-board-of-trade.
B.C.’s construction industry recognized
Heading into its 26th annual Awards of Excellence, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association has announced its Silver Award winners for the 2014 ceremony.
The yearly awards show honours the region’s construction leaders, including companies and individuals, for their projects in the province.
Burnaby-based Ledcor won the Silver Award in two categories, taking the title for its work on Surrey’s Guildford Town Centre redevelopment (General Contracting Over $55 million) and UBC’s Bioenergy Research & Demonstration Facility (General Contracting Up to $15 million). There were 149 entrants and 31 projects up for consideration.
“The Silver Award winners this year truly represent the finest of our industry,” said VRCA president Fiona Famulak in a statement. “These companies were able to bring projects of the highest calibre in on time and on budget, and we are proud to honour them at this year’s event.”
Other recognized companies include EllisDon Corporation, PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc., Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. and Graham Design-Builders.
The awards take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Oct. 14, and the VRCA will also present awards for Member of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Education Leadership, Safety, Outstanding Woman in Construction, Innovation and Productivity, Construction Workplace Health & Safety Innovation and the U40 Excellence in Construction Award.
For tickets and more information, vist vrca.bc.ca/awards.
