We are pleased to announce the 2011 recognition recipients in the Small Business category.
Algoma Orchards
Algoma Orchards in Clarington installed the first ever large-scale water recycling system in a North American fresh produce facility.
Algoma Orchards outgrew the groundwater wells that originally supplied the apple processing facility and looked to an environmentally innovative solution to ensure they had enough water for their business.
The water used to wash and process the apples is cleaned and reused throughout the facility. The water is recycled through a bioreactor where bacteria help “eat” the organic waste in the water.
To further clean the water, it is then passed through a special membrane. Lastly a small dose of chlorine kills any additional bacteria.
The family-run business grows over 500 acres of apples and presses more than seven million litres of apple juice each year. Over the next several decades the company expects to cut water usage by almost 80 per cent.
Green Circle Salons
Salons and beauty parlours across the province use a wide variety of chemicals.
Green Circle Salons — a small Toronto-based business — works with more than 110 salons across Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe area to reduce their environmental impact and keep hair colouring products and chemicals out of the waste stream.
Much of the work is educating and raising awareness about the importance of not rinsing chemicals down the drain. Green Circle Salons also helps salons choose more environmentally friendly products.
Their program aims to ensure at least 75 per cent of salon waste is recycled. The group also has an agreement with a local waste management company to safely dispose of any left-over chemicals.
The company offers salons a financial program to help them make the conversion to an environmentally sustainable business.
Norjohn Ltd.
Norjohn produces a variety of chemicals used in everything from making asphalt to fibreglass.
The Burlington-based business conducted extensive research to reduce the use of formaldehyde in their products.
Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance linked to cancer.
Norjohn created a vegetable oil based product that worked as a dust suppressant for their fibreglass industry customers. They also came up with a wax emulsion from bio-based oils to provide water resistance for gypsum board manufacturers.
The work was done in partnership with McMaster University and the Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network.
The group aimed to create chemicals that are made from renewable resources, could be sourced locally and that did not require petroleum. Currently they hold several patents for their eco friendly products.
In 2007 Norjohn used almost 6,000 kilograms of formaldehyde in their products. Today they use none.
