Catalyst Paper Corporation
Crannog Ales
Creative Wonders Communications
Elite Earth-Friendly Cleaners
Ethical Funds Company
Harry Kambolis, C Restaurant
Starbucks Coffee Canada
Catalyst Paper Corporation
Vancouver BC
Award Category: Environmental Excellence Large Company
Catalyst Paper is a leading manufacturer of paper and pulp for commercial printers, publishers and paper manufacturers in North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Europe. With five mills employing 3,800 people, Catalyst is BC’s largest papermaker.
Through its efforts to meet its corporate social responsibility vision and goals, Catalyst is always seeking new ways to show leadership in corporate responsibility. For example:
• The company uses natural resources to make paper and pulp products; beyond proving itself a good steward of those resources, Catalyst also encourages others to manage them responsibly.
• Catalyst strives to be a top employer by providing a safe, challenging and rewarding workplace, and standing for values employees embrace as their own.
• The company works hard to be a good neighbour, building long-term, productive relationships with residents, First Nations and governments in its operating communities.
• Catalyst has lessened its environmental footprint by reducing emissions, conserving resources and building constructive relationships with stakeholders.
• Investors also benefit, as Catalyst has delivered nearly $300 million in performance improvements over the past three years.
Paul Skelhorne, Communications Manager
paul.skelhorne@catalystpaper.com
phone: 604-654-4147
Crannóg Ales
Sorrento
Award Category: Environmental Excellence - Small Medium Company
Crannóg Ales is Canada's only certified organic, on-farm microbrewery, and the only zero-waste brewery in Canada, creating systems which avoid entirely the vast amounts of wastewater produced by traditional brewing.
Crannóg buys local ingredients, works with local farmers and a local malt-master, and is a model (and teacher) of sustainable practices, and is heavily involved in environmental issues throughout the community, including agricultural stewardship, land use and waste issues.
All brewery by-products are used on the farm. Systems are primarily designed to create a positive environmental impact and prevent pollution. Organic agriculture also encourages biodiversity. Crannóg's commitment to the environment is evident in everything they do, from sustainably farmed ingredients to waste reduction practices. For example, Crannóg's ales are distributed throughout southern BC in draught form only, reducing the over-packaging waste of bottles.
With only three workers, it has garnered numerous awards and international interest in its line of unpasteurized, unfiltered organic ales. Co-owner Rebecca Kneen proudly states, “We know we’re succeeding not just because of the ever increasing biodiversity on our farm, but also because of the increased interest in organic issues in the restaurant industry and in academia”.
Rebecca Kneen, Co-owner
crannog@crannogales.com
Phone: 250-675-6847
Creative Wonders Communications
North VancouverAward Category: Community Care- Small/Medium Company (tied with Elite Earth-friendly Cleaners)
“I think Creative Wonders is a phenomenal example of social and environmental leadership both through exceeding the vast majority of the CBSR guidelines, and in terms of showing a huge heart by giving so much through their 14 years of business. It is relatively unheard of to give 50% of profits (of 15% of revenues), to be the quieter behind the scenes people who give us all hope for a better world.” - Nancy Bradshaw, founder of CBSR Vancouver.
Creative Wonders’ philosophy is to bring creativity, wonder, responsibility and consciousness to businesses interested in balanced living. Highlights include:
• experts in the LOHAS (Lifestyles of health and sustainability) market
• fully engaged in community work
• offers a discounted charity rate all year to non-profits
• supports local buying and recycling practices
• winner North Vancouver Chamber 2002 Business Excellence Award – Best Business
• senior innovative expertise in all forms of communications and media
• small yet powerful, with national and local clients
• fully accredited agency with many creative awards
• cohesive team ensures integrated strategies, quick delivery and attentive service
Diane Lund, Founder and Leader
amber@creativewonders.ca
phone: 604-987-8401
Elite Earth Friendly Cleaners
Victoria
Award Category: Community Care - Small/Medium Company (tied with Creative Wonders Communications)
Elite Earth-friendly Cleaners’ vision is to lead change to transform a toxic industry. A family business Elite is dedicated to providing fine garment care, while striving to be the most environmentally and socially responsible drycleaner in Canada.
Elite demonstrates their commitment to the well-being of its employees, community, and the planet by embracing ecologically sustainable practices. They continually improve their methods and skills through innovation, education and training, and provide customers with the finest, most gentle garment care available anywhere.
Elite Earth-friendly Cleaners is a “social venture” company that actively seeks to assist and collaborate with other green businesses, and to support causes that will improve the community (environmental, social justice and health).
The company demonstrates a strong social agenda by actively looking for ways to improve both the community and the “business climate” for green business by advocating for green business with government (both provincially and federally), by educating the public, and by taking a lead role in educating business students at both U-Vic and Royal Roads about sustainability and CSR. Elite is the proud recipient of the 2006 Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Award for Pollution Prevention (Micro business). “We help other cleaners “go green”, says owner Rick Nathorst.
Rick Nathorst, owner
earthfriendly@shaw.ca
Phone: 250-381-2221
Ethical Funds Company
Vancouver
Award Category: Overall Leadership - Small/ Medium Company
Launched in 1992, The Ethical Funds Company (Ethical Funds) is Canada’s first and largest manager of socially responsible mutual funds and has been a leader in the industry’s growth and success. Ethical Funds has the largest research team of any SRI fund in Canada and its analyst team routinely shares its findings with its stakeholders and the investment community.
Ethical Funds deserves this recognition, not just for its leadership in the investment industry, but for its leadership with corporate Canada to advance the principles of sustainable business practices. By encouraging Canadian companies to improve their environmental, social and governance performance, Ethical Funds is changing the Canadian corporate landscape – making it more responsible and responsive to the values and needs of Canadians seeking a just, sustainable and ethical world.
Ethical Funds actively participates in its industry associations to advance ethical business practices around the globe, including the Carbon Disclosure Project, an international initiative to persuade companies to reduce their carbon levels and greenhouse gas emissions, and the Global Reporting Initiative, a United Nations-sponsored effort introduce environmental and social performance reporting standards that serve as industry comparators. Its leadership results in changes locally, nationally and internationally – right here in Vancouver.
Erika Callowhill
Director, Marketing
ecallowhill@credential.com
Phone: 604 742 8210
Harry Kambolis
Owner, C Restaurant, Raincity Grill and NU Restaurant
Vancouver
Award Category: Individual Impact
Restaurateur Harry Kambolis owns and operates three independent restaurants. Raincity Grill opened in 1992 and has become synonymous with local cuisine, working with small lot, organic producers in BC. Most recently Raincity Grill launched a 100 Mile Menu, sourcing products from within 2 hours of Vancouver. This has started a major trend in focusing on where our foods come from.
C Restaurant opened in 1997 with a distinct focus on seafood and by 1999 was working almost exclusively with sustainably managed BC seafood products. C has introduced several BC seafood species to the market – either back from extinction or unfamiliar to the western market - such as geoduck, sablefish, pink salmon and more recently, BC abalone.
September 1, 2005 saw the opening of NU Restaurant & Lounge, which embraces the philosophy of both Raincity and C in a sleek, casual environment.
With the work that Kambolis and his chefs have done to source products not used before in BC, they have created a trend in restaurant business management that has enabled farmers and fishermen alike to earn a living while still managing their stocks to the best of quality standards and environmental responsibility.
Starbucks Coffee Canada
Vancouver
Award Category: Overall Leadership - Large Company
Starbucks Coffee Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starbucks Coffee Company, the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world. Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971 and its first Canadian location opened in Vancouver in 1987.
The company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and the Starbucks Experience while conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business.
At all levels of the company, Starbucks partners strive to be active contributors in their community. Whether it’s supporting local arts initiatives like Bard on the Beach or the Jazz Festival through sponsorships, volunteering at a local school, helping clean up Vancouver’s Everett Crowley Park, or participating in AIDSWalk, Starbucks and its partners are out in the community, making a difference.
On a company-wide level, Starbucks has demonstrated its continuing leadership by bringing about environmental and social innovations that produce real benefits.
Hanna Latkowski
BC marketing manager
hlatkows@starbucks.com
Phone: 604 630 5247
