working hard to reduce our Impact With Green Initiatives introduced over 30yrs ago
Sustainability, climate change, and reducing our impact on the planet is a subject that is important to us all. At POCO Building Supplies – we’ve implemented ongoing initiatives designed to minimize the impact we have on our Environment.
Wherever possible we purchase merchandise and consumables from local suppliers, in an attempt to source products that travel the shortest distance possible. In particular, we utilize our affiliation as founder members of the Timber-Mart Group, taking full advantage of their extensive range of products housed at local distribution centres.
Prior to 1990, we began a recycling program for all paper, cardboard and plastic. Metal strapping used for securing lumber loads, as well as any other metal products that can be recycled are delivered by us back to the local foundry for recycling. Un-treated scrap wood from our yard is put in a bin located in the parking lot in front of our store and we invite the general public to use this wood-waste as fire-wood to heat their homes. Wherever possible – we are committed to green initiatives that reduce our impact on the environment.
Fuel for our trucks is delivered to us via mini-tanker to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption driving to get fuel – thus reducing our carbon footprint.
All Forklift trucks in our yard run on Propane – which is a more efficient method of fuelling heavy machinery than Petroleum based Gasoline or Diesel.
Our consumer Bags in both paper and plastic form are manufactured by local packaging supplier – Tierney’s and we choose to use their eco-friendly range of products. The focus of the products in their ‘Green Choice’ range are that they are not only made from renewable resources – but that they are also recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. These products are developed using the most environmentally friendly processes, resulting in reduced power consumption and manufacturing emissions.
Paper Bags: These are not only both recyclable & compostable, but are also made from paper created right here in the Pacific Northwest. The estimated time it takes for one of our paper bags to degrade depends on wetness and other environmental conditions, but typically they will degrade within a 1-3 weeks.
White Plastic Consumer Bags: Along with our clear nail bags these are oxy-degradable, which means that they will degrade when exposed to heat, light & water. Plastic bags degrade anywhere from 3-18 months, again depending on the outdoor conditions they are exposed to. Indoors, these bags will start degrading after 12 months.
POCO Building Supplies Paint Department is proud to support the Product Care Program which is designed to help protect the environment by diverting leftover and end of life products from landfills, waterways, and sewers. Product Care provides consumers with a collection system network for the products it manages. The collected products are then reused or recycled where possible. Product Care is a not-for-profit industry association that manages product stewardship programs for household hazardous and special waste on behalf of its members across Canada.
We are also proud to offer a range of economically priced 100% Recycled Paint
EcoCoat paint is a low-lustre recycled paint that combines the benefits of quality primers, sealers, and exterior and interior water-based paints of all gloss levels. EcoCoat paint provides superior coverage on drywall, fibre-cement siding, stucco, concrete and cinder blocks, as well as old and newly primed wood at about half the cost of virgin latex paint. Now available in 26 colours, EcoCoat paint brings beauty and durability to any project, indoors or out.
