green

Green Your Business

Tourism Victoria believes in leading by example. Tourism Victoria has instituted the following green practices in our organization:

  • A recycling centre has been placed in the staff room. Staff can now place their disposable coffee cups and lids, paper towels, glass, paper, tin, refundables and soft plastics into a series of bins.
  • A compost system in the staff room has been created for all compostable materials. The compost is picked up weekly by Pedal to Petal, a local bicycle powered compost pick up service.
  • Tourism Victoria uses an in house water filtration system instead of buying bottles of water.
  • Staff computers have been set to energy smart modes.
  • 100% post consumer waste paper is used throughout the office.
  • 100% recycled cardstock is used for all of Tourism Victoria’s business cards.
  • Tourism Victoria uses epost, a paperless and online payroll system.
  • Tourism Victoria uses recycled printer toner cartridges where feasible.
  • Tourism Victoria is certified as a Climate Smart business. Climate Smart teaches small and medium business practices to manage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Tourism Victoria has compiled a few interesting websites you may find useful:

  • The City of Victoria – The City of Victoria provides education and promotes the City’s sustainable practices to the local community and promote involvement.
  • CRD - This link leads to all aspects of the Capital Regional District’s efforts on environmental sustainability, including recycling, composting, wastewater management, household hazardous waste, education etc.
  • CGBC – Canada Green Building Council
  • City Green – City Green Solutions is an enterprising non-profit organization providing tools, resources, services and inspiration to improve the energy efficiency of homes and buildings in BC. This includes education, training, grants and incentives.
  • TIAC – The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), Parks Canada, and the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) jointly released ‘Green Your Business: A Toolkit for Tourism Operators,’  which was developed for small to medium-sized tourism businesses, and provides tips and guidance in a best practices guide for greening their operations.
  • BCSTC – The BC Sustainable Tourism Collective.  (BCSTC) is a group of six influential tourism operators with communications support provided by the Tartan Group. The BCSTC focuses on three priorities:  climate change; human resources; and guest education. The BCSTC hopes to become the leader for sustainable tourism development within the tourism industry, with members serving as mentors through the sharing of best practices and encouraging other BC tourism operators to follow their lead.
  • LifeCycles- LifeCycles is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating awareness and initiating action around food, health, and urban sustainability in the Greater Victoria community. We work proactively to promote and create personal, shared and community gardens, research, and educational activities and youth skills development programs. Through partnerships we strengthen individual, community and global health.
  • Farm Marketing - The Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association is a non-profit association of about 75 growers and producers on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, who sell their farm and vineyard products directly to consumers. Many of our members also participate in agritourism, including farmers’ markets, fall fairs, farm festivals, farm tours and bed & breakfasts.
  • GVCC – The purpose of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) is to promote, and improve conditions for cycling in Greater Victoria by: Improving cycling education; Facilitating communication between cyclists, government, and other community groups; Improving facilities for bicycle use; Improving the legal climate for cyclists; Encouraging more people to ride bicycles more often; Developing a cycling information base. The GVCC was instrumental in the development of the Galloping Goose Trail, Lochside Trail, Selkirk Trestle, Switch Bridge, Blenkinsop Trestle, Blenkinsop Connector and Interurban Trail.
  • Capital Bike & Walk – Capital Bike and Walk’s mission is to provide expert advice on infrastructure, programs and strategies to support the choice for cycling and walking.
  • Live Smart – LiveSmart BC helps British Columbians make green choices that save money at home, at work and on the road. Be part of the solution.
  • Green Leaf - Search here for the green leaf designation signifying eco-friendly lodging and travel destinations, committed to minimizing their impact on the environment.
  • Ocean Wise Program – Ocean Wise restaurants are committed to serving sustainable, ocean-friendly seafood. By looking for the Ocean Wise symbol beside menu items, you can be assured that you are making the best choice for our oceans.
  • reFUSE – Leading the way to zero waste by providing the first full-service organics recycling in Victoria (and the Cowichan Valley) with collection from businesses including hotels, restaurants, grocers and institutions.
  • Sustainable Travel International – Promoting responsible travel and ecotourism, supporting sustainable development, and helping travellers and travel providers protect the cultures and environments they visit.