Over the next 25 years, building owners and managers will become increasingly responsible for green initiatives as part of each property’s operational mandate. According to Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Green Building Strategy, each building will be called upon to reduce its carbon footprint so that by 2050, Canada will be as close to net-zero emissions as possible.
Working towards this, the Canadian Certified Rental Building ProgramTM (CRBP) requires each property to meet set standards toward Environmental Management, a facet which includes “working with residents to ‘green’ apartment communities and lower their environmental footprint.”
The CRBP was formed by the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) in 2008 as a resident-focused apartment building certification program. Opening up the conversation with residents around green-living ideas, the CRBP introduced its Canada-wide ‘Conscious-Living’ Box Giveaway in 2020. The contest encourages participants to enter for a chance to win one of 100 eco-sustainable packages focused on helping reduce their carbon footprint.
The contest opens June 15 and runs until September 15, with draws throughout the summer. One hundred entrants will be randomly chosen to receive a curated box with purposeful and sustainable products. The ‘Conscious-Living’ Box Giveaway is open to all residents of apartments, condos, and homes across Canada. Entrants do not need to live in a CRB apartment building to take part.
Now in its third year, the Conscious-Living box highlights the CRB’s Living Green TogetherTM component, an integral step in the certification process for Canadian Certified Rental Buildings. In multi-residential properties, managers often hear from residents who want to be more productive regarding recycling and composting practices but feel they lack control in relation to building policies.
The Conscious-Living Box Giveaway campaign drives resident engagement at the community level as well as on social media. Two social media influencers, Flora Law (@thefloralaw) from BC, and Sarah Robertson-Barnes (@sarah.robertson.barnes) from Ontario, are championing the campaign.
The CRBP’s Environmental Management assessment focuses on energy consumption and water usage — with a requirement for building managers to act quickly if a leaky water source is reported — and ways to reduce garbage and increase recycling.
“All CRB-approved buildings are Living Green TogetherTM certified. In addition to the Program’s 55 standards-of-practice, are an additional 10 standards-of-practice that are ‘green’ and ‘eco-conscious’ focused,” explains Maria Arangio, Marketing and Creative Director at Creativo Advertising, who leads the Conscious-Living Box campaign for the CRBP.
“This national campaign aims to educate the public that everyone’s environmental efforts matter, especially in our multi-residential communities. For industry members that are actively engaged in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark reporting, the Canadian CRBP provides impactful support to these endeavours. As a GRESB-approved green building sustainability program, it provides members with quantifiable measures for incorporating ESG factors into daily operations and supports their efforts with residents, the community, and government stakeholders.”
As we count down to 2050, information regarding each property’s energy efficiency will become public knowledge — a move which could shake-up the real estate market and ensure the mindset of green living as a daily practice.
The CRBP encourages building managers to provide information about the Conscious-Living Box giveaway to their residents to grow their communities’ engagement and kick-start conversations around environmental impact.
Winners of the boxes receive products from 8 to 10 Canadian eco-focused businesses. The box also comes with a LookBook showcasing each product including a quick review of green initiatives undertaken in CRB properties Canada-wide, and further ideas for sustainable living.
The online entry form includes a short series of questions focused on their existing environmental practices. Additionally, winners will get the opportunity to win a $100 gift card if they post a photo or video reel opening their box to social media with the hashtag #LOVECRB.
Arangio explains when a property undergoes the steps to become a Canadian Certified Rental Building, it shows a level of transparency, awareness, and commitment to their residents and the industry. For potential renters, it provides a sense of comfort knowing that the building’s management and operations are considered to be well-run, well-managed and well-maintained.
“Having attended more than 50 resident BBQ events throughout the GTA and Ottawa on behalf of the CRBP, it was exciting to connect with residents and share awareness on how every effort matters. We can make a difference within our apartment communities through Living Green TogetherTM.”
Tony Irwin, President and CEO of FRPO explains, “The CRB Conscious-Living Giveaway is a powerful initiative that empowers property managers to take the lead in promoting Green Apartment Living among their residents. By sharing this giveaway in our communities, we can inspire a generation of conscious individuals to make small yet impactful changes in their daily lives. With the program expanding nationally, we aim to support our members and help educate residents that our individual efforts matter.”
Arangio said the 2022 campaign was a huge success and she expects 2023 to triple in entries. “Last year’s giveaway was a huge success with incredible participation, exposure and online engagement,” says Arangio. “With FRPO member support, I anticipate this year will be even more successful. A win-win for everyone!”
To make it easy for building owners and managers, the CRBP has created marketing materials which can be easily distributed to residents. The Conscious-Living Box giveaway kicks off on June 15th.
For more information, visit https://www.crbprogram.org/conscious-living-box/
