We’re using the industry’s best practices to help reduce our impact.

From the very beginning, we knew that our business would be based on three central tenets: build future-proofed communities that anticipate the needs of tomorrow; incorporate human-centred design that responds to the way people really live; and do it all while respecting and protecting this planet that every one of us calls home.

Environmental Stewardship is always top of mind for us, and, with every new community we continue to add innovative and improved solutions to back this pillar, supporting long-lasting, balanced urban landscapes that ensure a better tomorrow. Here is a look at some of the best practices we’ve implemented across our communities.

Waste Reduction, Diversion & Management

Waste – the amount we produce as a community, as a company, as individuals – is an enormously pressing concern. That’s why, at every Collecdev community we have systems in place to reduce, divert, and manage waste as effectively as possible.

During every phase of construction, we use pro-active, on-site waste management and diversion programs that meet and exceed Toronto Green Standards (TGS), meaning that:

• 75% of the construction material from our sites is recycled.
• 86% of construction waste is diverted.
• Materials such as wood, scrap metal, drywall, concrete, and cardboard don’t end up in landfills, but instead are brought to the appropriate recycling facilities.

Beyond the construction phase we also aim to reduce building occupant waste by providing residents with the necessary tools to reduce and responsibly dispose of the waste they create. Our comprehensive Homeowner Manual helps residents make sense of what can and cannot be recycled which helps maximize our diversion from landfill, while information on nearby waste disposal depots helps them take care of the rest.

We also equip every Collecdev community with a tri-chute central waste collection system that sorts and separates garbage, recycling, and organics, as well as an accessible storage space for pick-up of textiles, bulky items, and hazardous waste. We constantly explore innovative technologies that can help incentivize residents to increase recyclable content and lower waste, reducing the volume of material destined for landfills and incinerators.

Environmentally-Friendly Technology & Protocols

Beyond waste reduction, we also aim to improve the performance and resilience of our communities with environmentally-friendly technology and protocols.

On the technology side, our construction team has introduced ECOPact concrete to current and future communities. ECOPact is a sustainable, low-carbon concrete with a 30-50% lower CO2 output compared to a standard concrete mix. The innovative material delivers the same great durability, strength, and performance, with a massive reduction in carbon emissions, building sustainability into each building from the ground up. It’s also helping us reach our goal to become net-zero in support of the initiative by the Government of Canada.

With an eye to fighting climate change and transforming the economy, the Canadian government has made a pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and proposed the Net-Zero Challenge to visionary businesses who want to do the same. At Collecdev, this endeavour is perfectly aligned with our commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of our communities and, as the industry moves away from fossil fuels, we continue to actively seek greener solutions to help decarbonise our environment, reduce waste, and improve construction efficiency.

Environmental initiatives are equally supported by the small details and, on the protocol side, we have enacted best practices on our sites like cloud-based construction management software that allows us to operate virtually paperless. From blueprints to tenders, drawings to documents, our Site and Management Teams have switched from paper to electronic communication, not only reducing our paper needs and environmental footprint, but improving timelines and organization as a result.

Geothermal Energy

The potential of geothermal energy to change the landscape of our industry can't be overestimated and one of our proudest accomplishments in environmental stewardship has been our role in pioneering the technology in residential development in the GTA.

Already popular in many European countries, this innovative system reduces the environmental impact of urban development while addressing evolving customer needs.

Geothermal energy:

• Reduces a building’s carbon footprint
• Produces 70% less greenhouse gas.
• Uses about 40% less energy than a traditional HVAC system
• Saves over 5 million litres of water every year
• Reduces annual energy costs for the entire building
• Offers predictable monthly utility costs
• Pumps can simultaneously cool one part of the building while heating another, giving residents full control over their own space
• Reliable technology that works through every season
• Increases property value

When we introduced geothermal energy systems at Tretti, Nørdic, and Westwood Gardens, the industry took notice and has started to follow suit. We are proud to be leading the way for our peers, demonstrating that this sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems can have an enormous impact on urban development and effect industry-wide change that leads to a brighter future.

Every day, in all our communities, we are constantly trying to find new and better ways to protect the planet while continuing to develop the well-rounded environments that lead to a better quality of life. Visit collecdevmarkee.com to learn more.