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Climate Action
Newsletter
Sign up for our Climate Action newsletter to hear about upcoming events, available incentives and resources, and stay connected with everything climate action in Woolwich.
Climate Action in Woolwich
Woolwich, like many communities around the globe, is witnessing the tangible effects of climate change, which are manifesting in various ways such as rising temperatures and more extreme weather events. These changes are not just statistics on a chart; they translate into real-world consequences that affect ecosystems, economies, and public health. However, the collective effort of individuals and communities can lead to meaningful progress. Simple actions, when multiplied across a community, can significantly reduce the overall carbon footprint. By choosing to support local businesses, sharing rides, eating more plant-based meals, and being mindful of consumption and waste, every person contributes to a larger movement towards sustainability. It's a powerful reminder that change often begins with the smallest steps, and when these steps are taken together, they can lead to a greener, more sustainable future for all.
E-Waste Recycling Program
As part of our ongoing commitment to being a healthier and more circular community, the Township of Woolwich has partnered with the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) – an industry-led, not-for-profit organization that operates regulated recycling programs across Canada. The Township is using their Recycle My Electronics program to ensure that end-of-life electronics are handled in a safe, secure and environmentally friendly manner.
You can now drop off your damaged or unwanted electronics in the designated bin at Woolwich Townhall at 24 Church St. W in Elmira AND the Breslau Community Centre at 100 Andover Dr. in Breslau. A list of accepted items can be found on the sign above the bin, on social media, and on our website. Please only donate small electronics and appliances that fit into the bin. Please reach out to our Climate Action & Sustainability Coordinator if you have any questions.
Environmental Stewardship in Woolwich
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:
Events
Upcoming Events:
September 26th: Woolwich Repair Cafe
Do you have something in need of repair? Come to our first ever Repair Cafe and give your items some R&R! Registration is preferred. Contact Anna
Where: Woolwich Memorial Centre
Repairs offered:
- Leather;
- Books;
- Clothing/fabric;
- Small appliances;
- Wood;
- Jewelry;
- Electronics; and
- Yarn.
Information, resources and available grants/incentives for homeowners, builders, business owners, and farmers.
Resources for Residents
Residents can take meaningful climate action at home by improving energy efficiency, reducing water use, planting trees, and preparing for extreme weather. These resources offer practical programs, incentives, and guidance to help make homes more comfortable, affordable, and resilient.
- 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 Developers
Local developers can access a range of financial incentives that support the construction of more energy-efficient homes. Since buildings (homes and businesses) account for 46% of Regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improving building performance is critical to meet our targets.
- 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
Businesses can play an important role in reducing local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while lowering operating costs. These resources offer incentives and support to help businesses improve energy efficiency, upgrade equipment, and advance their sustainability goals.
- 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
We are lucky to live in a thriving rural community where agriculture is all around us. It makes it easy to choose local food, which lowers GHG emissions significantly. However, the way in which we grow our food can be more sustainable. Here are some helpful resources:
- 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.
Resources for Plant-Based Diets
Transitioning to plant-based eating is one of the most impactful individual actions to mitigate climate change. Animal agriculture drives a significant portion of global emissions, while plant-based foods generally require much less land, water, and energy to produce.
- Where do the emissions from our food come from?
- Did you know? Eating a plant-based burger uses approximately 75-95% less water, 93-95% less land, and produces 87-90% fewer GHG emissions! Learn more about plant-based food.
- Dairy vs. plant-based milk: what are the environmental impacts?
Resources for Sustainable Transportation
In the Region of Waterloo, transportation accounts for 47% of our total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here are some resources for active and sustainable modes of 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
Climate Smart Schools Grant Program
We are very excited to announce the launch of the Climate Smart Schools Micro Grant program! This program is intended to support student-led projects at Woolwich schools that will reduce community GHG emissions, enhance resiliency to climate change impacts, and empower youth to champion climate initiatives in their schools. Fostering strong environmental literacy among students allows them to understand and consider how human activities, ecological systems, and the changing climate are all connected.
Example eligible projects include:
• Tree/microforest planting
• Pollinator garden construction and maintenance
• Eco club projects, events, or school-wide challenges
• Marketing/signage materials
• Fees for speakers on various climate action topics
Please see the Climate Action Grants Policy for more details on what is and is not eligible as part of this grant program.
The application period for 2025 is October 8th to November 7th. Funding decisions will be made by the end of December, and grants will be awarded in January/February. Please see the Evaluation Rubric for more information on how each application will be assessed.
If you have any questions about the grant program or your project, please reach out to our Climate Action & Sustainability Coordinator.
The 2025 application period is now closed. The 2026 program will open for applications in October.
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