Our Origin
Together we can make a change
EnviroCentre was founded in 1999 by a group of local concerned citizens and organizations. The intent was to create an environmental community initiative that was economically sustainable, and met social and environmental goals, in the ‘Green Communities’ model.
Our Founders
“The management and Board of EnviroCentre have been successful beyond my wildest dreams of delivering on our original mission. EnviroCentre has shown the importance of following sound business practices to meet their goals as a social enterprise.“
Paul Koch | Leading Member of EnviroCentre’s Founding Team
It worked
Over the last three decades
EnviroCentre has built a thriving social enterprise not-for-profit model that has weathered the many ups and downs (and turns and flips) inherent to the environmental and climate action world.
Our Timeline
Through the Years
1999
EnviroCentre was Founded
- Home Energy Assessments and Home Comfort Services were launched.
2000s
The Early Years
- 2000
- EnviroCentre began delivering the Green Home Visit Service – EcoAction Grant.
- 2001
- Began collaboration with Ottawa social housing providers through the Warmer Homes and Cleaner Air Program.
- The first transportation program, Travel Tune-Ups, a home-based travel planning service designed to increase the use of sustainable transportation, was launched.
- 2002
- Began delivering the Green Communities Canada Active and Safe Routes to School program.
- 2003
- Launched the Commuter Challenge in the Ottawa region.
- EnviroShop was opened with the goal of providing the public with hard-to-find energy-efficiency products.
- 2004
- Began offering Electricity Audits through a partnership with Hydro.
- 2007
- CAN-BIKE Cycling Education Program, the first cycling initiative was launched in the Ottawa area.
- Launched EnviroCentre’s first Green Business Service.
- Implemented a collaborative initiative in conjunction with the Ottawa Public Library, facilitating the lending of electricity meters to individuals.
- Launched the TAPs Water Conservation program with the Enbridge programs.
- Launched the EnviroCentre Draft Sealing Service.
- Began the implementation of a Winter Home Insulation Initiative targeting low-income individuals.
- 2008
- Launched ecoMobility, the first workplace TDM Service.
2010s
Building Years
- 2010
- Launch of the First Bike To Work Week, which was subsequently extended to encompass Bike to Work Month and later evolved into the initiative known as Let’s Bike.
- 2010
- Launched Car Free Day and carpooling initiative, Ottawa Ride Share Week.
- Began electronic waste collection.
- Began delivery of the Home Affordability Program, focusing on electricity conservation for residents with low income.
- 2011
- Launched the first Sustainable Transportation Week in partnership with Vivre-en-ville in Gatineau.
- 2012
- EnviroCentre storefront opened.
- Launched the delivery of Low-Income Energy Conservation programs.
- 2014
- Launched the three-year Sustain Your Community Project with Trillium.
- 2015
- Launched the Ottawa-based, Green Economy Hub, for business sustainability leaders.
- 2017
- Launched the first Stormwater Management Pilot Project with the City of Ottawa.
- 2018
- Commenced efforts in stormwater management as part of the City of Ottawa RAIN project.
- Initiated the implementation of the City of Ottawa’s TravelWise Program.
2020s
Where We Are Now
- 2020
- Launch of Organics Waste Diversion services.
- 2021
- Launch of Future Homes Ottawa. A local deep energy retrofits accelerator project.
- 2022
- Began delivering EV Experience program.
- Launch of the Better Homes Ottawa Loan program.
- Began providing Registered Energy Advisor training, and Energy Affordability Program services for low-income residents, across Eastern Ontario.
- 2023
- Launched Tiny Forest and tree planting initiatives.