Climate Action

New Recycling Program in Elmira

As part of our commitment to minimize our impact on the planet, the Township of Woolwich has launched a new recycling program at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira. The aim of this program is to divert as much waste from landfills as possible, and promote circularity within our community.

We have partnered with TerraCycle to create a simple and convenient way for residents to recycle their hard-to-recycle items. TerraCycle will then take those items and transform them into new products through their innovative recycling process. You can learn more about the process by visiting TerraCycle.

We are currently collecting the following items at the WMC:

• Writing instruments (pens, pencils, highlighters, etc.)

Please note that the recycling bin has moved and is now located behind the administration desk at the WMC. Please hand your items over to the staff for recycling.

For more information, email Climate Action & Sustainability Coordinator.

E-Waste Recycling Program

You can now drop off your damaged or unwanted electronics in the designated bin at Woolwich Townhall at 24 Church St. W in Elmira. A list of accepted items can be found on the sign above the bin, on social media, and on our website. We plan to expand this program to other communities within Woolwich, such as Breslau and St. Jacob's, in the near future. Please reach out to our Climate Action & Sustainability Coordinator if you have any questions.

We are very fortunate to have several passionate community groups who are dedicated to enhancing and protecting the environment in Woolwich. The efforts of these community members are an integral part of advancing climate action across the entire Township. And we are very grateful for their continued effort! To learn more about these groups, visit:

• Woolwich Healthy Communities
• Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC)
• Woolwich Environmental Advisory Committee (WEAC)

Events

View Climate Action Events on the Township Community Events calendar.

Stay tuned for more climate action events in Woolwich this fall!

Information, resources and available grants/incentives for homeowners, builders, business owners, and farmers.

Resources for Residents

• Home Retrofit Incentives: Get incentives for heat pumps, windows and doors, solar, and more.
• Induction Stove Bulk Buy Program: Get up to $300 off an induction stove!
• Backyard Tree Planting Program: Add trees to your yard at a subsidized cost through this program offered by Reep Green Solutions.
• Heat Pump Contractors: A list of Heat Pump Contractors that service the Waterloo Region.
• Reducing Water Use in Your Home: Contact the Region of Waterloo for a free home water audit.
• Climate-Ready Homes: How to protect yourself and your home from flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat.

Resources for Builders

• ENERGY STAR® for New Homes: Incentives available to build high-performing homes that enhance comfort and help reduce environmental impact. Limited time offer.
• Net Zero Ready Homes: Provides new construction builders and developers free access to industry experts, energy modelling and incentives to help design and build a NZER discovery home to market to prospective homebuyers.
• Enbridge Savings by Design Program: Get help at the early stages of design, with free design expertise and financial incentives to build sustainable, high-performance single-family homes and buildings

Resources for Businesses

• Save on Energy Retrofit Program: Incentives to upgrade equipment that will lower energy costs, improve productivity and support your business’s sustainability goals.
• Save On Energy Small Business Program: Eligible small businesses can now receive up to $3,000 in free lighting incentives!
• Commercial & Industrial Energy Conservation Program & Incentives to support Municipal, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, and Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs) fixed and custom incentives projects
• A list of local contractors, businesses and services

Resources for Agriculture

• Grand River Priority Watersheds Phosphorus Reduction Program: New grant funding available to help farmers reduce phosphorus runoff in the Grand River watershed
• Dairy Farmers of Canada’s Best Management Practices Guide to Mitigate Emissions on Dairy Farms
• Canadian Organic Growers Offers training and resources to raise awareness and assist farmers and gardeners in adopting sustainable and commercially viable, organic product methods. 
• Farmers for Climate Solutions: National farmer and rancher led coalition that advances pragmatic solutions to support farmers and ranchers in making the transition to low emissions, high resilience approaches to agriculture.

Transportation

• Plugshare App – Find an EV charger near you
• Car Share – Find out how to participate in a Car Share program near you.
• Woolwich Cycling/Walking Routes
• Grand River Intercity Transportation
• GRT Fares & Passes – Grand River Transit offers a variety of fares and passes.
• Elmira Community Bus Service

1. Conservation and Demand Management Plan 2024-2029
2. Elmira green Infrastructure Report
3. TransformWR Strategy