Our Environmental Commitment
Brain Power supports clean, green electricity with Bullfrog Power®
At Brain Power, we recognize the importance of addressing our environmental impact. We are excited to announce we’re taking a big step to reduce the carbon emissions footprint of our business by choosing 100% green electricity for our company with Bullfrog Power.
“Brain Power has made the environment an essential part of our commitment to sustainability,” said Karine Rashkovsky, Founder and Director, Brain Power Enrichment. “That is why we are proud to be partnering with Bullfrog Power to support clean, renewable electricity for our business location.”
Across Canada, Bullfrog’s green electricity comes from a blend of wind and low-impact hydro power sourced from new Canadian renewable energy facilities, with at least 50% sourced directly from this region. Bullfrog ensures the electricity going onto the grid on our behalf is from green sources, displacing energy from polluting sources.
As Bullfrog Power uses its customers’ support to provide funding to new green energy projects, our green energy purchase is also helping provide critical financial support to new renewable energy projects in our region and across Canada. Learn more about Bullfrog’s support for community-based green energy projects by visiting bullfrogpower.com/greenenergy
We are proud to be choosing green energy with Bullfrog Power!
To learn more about Bullfrog Power, visit their website at bullfrogpower.com.
Check us out in the Bullfrog Power newsletter:
https://www.bullfrogpower.com/brain-power-an-innovative-after-school-program-in-vaughan-becomes-bullfrogpowered/
Brain Power has joined the ClimateWise Business Network!
Brain Power is a proud member of ClimateWise, a network of leading businesses and organizations operating in and around York Region who are setting and achieving sustainability goals. Brain Power won the Passion into Practice award at the 2018 York Region Sustainability Awards. The award is given to organizations that demonstrate a holistic, integrated approach into embedding sustainability principles throughout their operations.
http://www.windfallcentre.ca/climatewise/
Our very own Dr. Karine Rashkovsky (pictured left) recently spoke on a panel on “The Future of Education” for York Region and Ontario at the ClimateWise Business Network hosted the inaugural York Region Leaders Sustainability Forum. The opening address was delivered by the Minister of Environment & Climate Change, MPP Chris Ballard. It featured a moderated panel discussion on Innovative Practices and Emerging Trends in Sustainability.
What an inspiration to share the stage with Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, GM’s Program Manager, and Ontario’s Policy Centre Representative (Mowat Centre)! This momentous event was packed with business leaders from all over the province. The rich dialogue across the panel was intense and meaningful.
The theme of the evening was in tune with Brain Power’s mission to empower youth to find their voice and become change agents in such pressing issues as the environment, climate change, and sustainability.
Brain Power’s Eco-Build
Brain Power aims to be a change-maker in the way commercial construction happens. In order to have our values echoed in the space we occupy, we worked with contractors who use nearly 100% sustainable materials, many of which are locally made, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly (down to such details as LED exit signs, walls composed of recycled tetra-paks, and insulation made from reclaimed jeans). Our clients learn about environmental responsibility both in and from Brain Power’s space!
Click images to enlarge
What is the purpose of the Eco-Build?
One of our aims in doing the Eco-Build is to be a role model to other small businesses in York Region (and anywhere, for that matter): commercial construction can (and should!) be done ethically and sustainably, with our environment’s and the occupants’ best health in mind. We have purposefully documented all of the materials and labour practices (scroll down to see!) to show anyone that a truly green and ethical build can be done – it just takes care and effort.
Our students and their families are excited about our vision and many have chosen to participate alongside us – indeed, several of our Brain Power students created a documentary film on this project, alumni volunteered in various aspects of the build, and groups of students came out to use construction debris and eco-friendly materials to create artwork for the space. We are certain people in the York Region community and Toronto at large will be inspired by our efforts.
Brain Power Floor Art
Before sealing the floors with our non-toxic and eco-friendly gloss sealant, Brain Power students got together and turned the entire floor into a large concrete canvas! The students thoughtfully placed art and famous quotes all over the floors to create an awesome interior-decor result!
Brain Power Enviro-Sculpt Art Project
Brain Power student artists (ages 12+) joined forces in the production of an installation art piece for our headquarters’ interior space. Recycled elements from the eco-friendly construction leftovers and non-toxic paints were our mediums to cover a large canvas with a stylized brain whose neural pathways light up! The efforts resulted in winning an honourable mention award in the enviroSCULPT Canada Green Building competition in fall of 2014.
Environmentally Friendly Materials Used in the Eco-Build:
- ReWall –Replacing standard drywall (made from recycled tetra paks). This material forms the wall surface structure.
- UltraTouch Cotton Insulation –This material replaces traditional fiberglass insulation (made from recycled jeans). It is being used as acoustical insulation to reduce the noise that travels from room to room.
- MexeSeal Floor Sealant –Final surface for concrete floors.
- LED exit signs –Uses very little electricity.
- No VOC Paint and Primer –Low VOC primer is used to coat the walls so that the coloured paint adheres well. No VOC coloured paint is used as the final finish on the walls.
- Solid Wood Baseboards and Trim –Used to provide protection along the base of the walls and around windows. This is a healthier alternative to MDF which is manufactured by combining sawdust, glues and formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen.
- Murco Drywall Compound –Used to produce a smooth finish where screws were used to fasten the ReWall to the metal framing and around corners and edges to provide a smooth wall.
- VeraSafe Acid Replacement –For cleaning the concrete floors to remove stains and oils before the floors are sealed.
There are other elements of sustainability in this project beyond just the materials. For example, the metal used for framing the walls is recyclable. The south facing windows provide free passive solar heating during cooler winter months. The exposed concrete floors serve as thermal storage – holding heat from the day to keep the space warmer during evenings and nights in the winter and absorbing heat during the day to keep the space cooler in the summer. The windows in the upper portion of each classroom allow natural daylight to penetrate into the interior spaces of the suite reducing the need to use electricity for artificial lighting.