Green Cottaging

www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca
The federal government’s Office of Energy Efficiency website (click on “Residential”) is packed with advice and tips on energy-efficient lighting, heating, appliances, and windows, plus fun calculators for working out your current energy use and potential dollar savings.
www.energy.gov.on.ca
The Ontario Ministry of Energy’s website, under “Conservation,” also provides energy-saving tips for consumers.

www.ec.gc.ca/envhome.html
Environment Canada’s website (under “Take Action” – Incentives and Rebates; search “Ontario”) lists several environmentally driven incentive programs, such as rebates for purchasing energy- and water-saving products and appliances, that are open to Ontario residents, many applicable to cottagers.
www.conservationbureau.on.ca
Ontario’s Conservation Bureau offered two energy-savings rebate programs in ’06. Keep an eye on the website for this year’s offerings. Note: Toilet rebate and washer rebate programs are usually particular to regions, so check out your cottage municipality or township website.

www.greenhomebuilding.com
Cottagers can find good explanations of sustainable building alternatives on this site.
www.thehealthiesthome.com
The Healthiest Home and Building Supplies stocks green home and building supplies, from flooring to kitchen cabinets to paints. Delivers anywhere in North America.
www.homedepot.ca/ecooptions
The Home Depot’s Eco Options program carries more than 1,100 products, from building supplies to timers and dimmers, that have been evaluated for a variety of environmental indicators.

There are many excellent resources for cottagers wanting to restore their lake’s water quality or shoreline, or protect wildlife and their habitats.

www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s website offers helpful info on water-quality protection, fish habitats, best shoreline practices, and more. (Click on “Regions,” “Central and Arctic,” then “Publications.”)
www.conservation-ontario.on.ca
The Ontario Conservation Authorities’ website provides many cottager-relevant ideas for source-water protection.
www.livingbywater.ca
The Living By Water Project, a national partnership initiative devoted to shoreline protection, has a reader-friendly website full of tips.
www.foca.on.ca
The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations’ website, under “Links,” lists a number of environmentally related organizations and programs pertinent to cottagers.
www.cottagelife.com
Download Cottage Life’s booklets, The Shore Primer and The Dock Primer.

www.greenup.on.ca
Peterborough Green-up is an organization devoted to environmentally healthy lifestyles. See “Factsheets” for lots of great ideas applicable to cottaging.
www.oowa.org
Septic system problems? The Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association has a directory of septic system experts in most areas.
www.burnitsmart.org
Natural Resources Canada’s site offers advice on cleaner woodstove usage.
www.compost.org
The Composting Council of Canada tells you everything you need to know about composting.
www.earthday.net
Click on “Ecological Footprint’ and calculate what yours is at the cottage!

www.environmentalchoice.com
Environmental Choice is probably the best-recognized green-certification system in Canada, listing a complete choice of credible green products, services, suppliers, and manufacturers endorsed by Environment Canada’s EcoLogo program.
www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar
Find Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Star-labelled products, the most energy efficient on the market.
www.fsccanada.org
The Forest Stewardship Council certification (FSC) guarantees a product comes from a sustainably managed forest.

www.freecycle.org
This is probably the most popular grassroots recycling organization for trading all manner of materials. Follow the links to Ontario groups.
www.habitat.ca
Look under “ReStores” for Habitat for Humanity’s building supply stores, which accept and resell quality new and used building materials.