ABOUT THE PROGRAM

With support from Ontario and Municipal Government partners, The Bloom Centre for Sustainability (BLOOM) provides small-to-medium sized manufacturers located in Ontario with toxics reduction, pollution prevention (P2), and energy efficiency (E2) technical assistance on a multi-media basis.

Our experience throughout the Greater Toronto Region shows that >90% of participating companies implement all or most of the recommended actions identified through participation in the program. These businesses have not only improved their environmental performance by reducing hazardous wastes, smog-causing pollutants (VOCs), toxics, greenhouse gases, and other waste streams, but have also enhanced their bottom line in the form of significant cost savings, with an average payback period of less than one year. See our Program Results.

From the standpoint of adding value to your business, participating in the program will help reduce your wastes, reduce your costs, and reduce your business risks.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

BLOOM's On-site technical assistance features Pollution Prevention, Toxics Reduction, and Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance coupled with a Funding Incentive.

Participants receive a funding cost share of up to 50 per cent (maximum $7,000 per assessment) to help offset the costs of a pollution prevention assessment, toxic substance accounting, and toxics reduction planning, conducted by a pre-qualified consultant.

Participants may also receive leveraged cost share funding from existing energy efficiency incentives from government and private sector agencies to help offset the cost of an energy efficiency assessment conducted by a pre-qualified consultant.

Eligibility:

• Small and medium sized manufacturers, located in Ontario, with fewer than 500 employees at any one facility
• Providing information to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), or reporting for acetone under O. Reg. 127/01 and captured by the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009

PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

Interested companies have three options for participating:

1. Multi-media Pollution Prevention Assessment
2. Integrated Pollution Prevention and Energy Efficiency Assessment
3. Pollution Prevention Assessment with follow-on Energy Efficiency Assessment

• Step 1 - BLOOM Staff Site Visit: Contact BLOOM staff to arrange for a detailed overview of the program. BLOOM can visit your facility for a face-to-face meeting to explain the details of the program as formally or informally as you wish.
• Step 2 - Consultant Walk-through: BLOOM will arrange for a meeting with a pre-qualified technical consultant with expertise in your industry sector. This meeting will include a walk-through of your facility and provide an opportunity for you to share your key business and environmental priorities with the consultant.
• Step 3 - Proposal for Services: If you choose, the consultant will draft a proposal for services based on your preferred option for participation, and the priorities identified in the meeting discussion and facility walk-through.

*Pollution Prevention assessments are eligible for 50% cost share to a maximum of $7,000. Energy Efficiency assessments may be eligible for leveraged cost-share funding from existing energy efficiency incentives from government and private sector agencies.

• Step 4 - Pollution Prevention/Energy Efficiency Assessment: The consultant will conduct the assessment based on the scope of work agreed to in the proposal for services.
• Step 5 - Pollution Prevention/Energy Efficiency Assessment Report: The consultant will provide you with a detailed, confidential final report with recommendations to reduce pollutants, wastes, energy consumption, costs and business risks. This will include a table of process optimization solutions, and associated environmental and energy consumption reductions, capital investment and payback period for implementation of identified opportunities.
• Step 6 - Case Study (optional): At your discretion, BLOOM will develop a pro bono case study to showcase the results of your participation in the program. 50% of program clients have published case studies highlighting the environmental and energy consumption reductions and cost savings achieved through implemented solutions.