Chemercial: A Clean for a new Generation

A great movie that gets you thinking. Chemercial: A Clean for a new Generation, investigates what the addition of chemicals to everyday cleaning products such as soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, and tile cleaners do to indoor air quality. Indoor air quality is usually about 10 times more toxic then outside air quality. So Andrew Nisker the film's director and narrator decided to look at the chemicals that are part of everyday life, and managed to get the Goode Family to remove all chemicals from their home for a period of 3 months to see what happens. The Goodes are a straight forward Canadian family, and buy accordingly. They, like many Canadians, have been hit by a job loss, so need to trim their budget.

That is the basic premise of the movie, however, what gave the movie its impact was the improvement to the Goode's standard of living. Their youngest suffered from asthma, and that cleared up during the three months. They felt more energized, and were saving a considerable amount of money each month. Now the obvious flaw is that most of us would never make our own laundry detergent, and the non-toxic substitutes are substantially more expensive.

The other interesting comment I took away from this film, was when the Goode's are taking their old products to the dump. These products, which we've been told are perfectly safe, are required by law to be taken to the hazardous waste section. If the government recognizes them as hazardous, and most of the products clearly state that they are hazardous, then why are they allowed to sold.

So my action is to remove these products from my home. Replace them with non-toxic, and count my lucky stars that I might escape from getting cancer, from all the crap that has been in my life.

Sweet Milton at Sweeties Cafe!

Monday was simply a stunner of a day. The weather was warm, the sun was shining, so I decided to take a little time off to enjoy the weather. As per usual, I like to take a small trip somewhere close to home, and I chose Milton.

Milton has a quaint historic town with a main street, historical homes, and lovely town parks. I parked the car right in town, and went for a walk around to see the holiday decorations starting to go up. After this I walked around the large pond in the middle of town.

As it got close to lunch, the inevitable happened: I was hungry. After having wandered around town, I found a delightful spot, with prices so reasonable I asked the owner if there was a mistake: Egg Salad Sandwich on home made bread with lettuce and tomato for $2.99.

For lunches I don't like fancy places: but rather dinners with comfort food using great ingredients. I had found my Milton spot: Sweeties Cafe: Bakery & Catering. I had a grilled cheese & bacon sandwich made with real slices of cheddar not processed cheese slices on home made white bread. I also had a small caesar salad with home made dressing and croutons. For dessert the lemon square was first class made with real butter, eggs and lemons. It is hard to find someone who actually uses real ingredients, and knows what to do with them.

So if you are in Milton, looking for a good lunch/breakfast/light dinner, I would highly recommend "Sweeties Cafe" at 20 Martin Street. The owner/baker is Karen so say hi when you visit this very friendly cafe.

Thanksgiving: so much to be thankful for

This weekend has been particularly positive. Laura and I had a great Saturday together testing cars: Nissan Cube and Volkswagen Tiguan. The Cube is a great deal of fun to drive. The seats are really the weakest link. Every time I went around a corner, my whole body started sliding on the seat. This is a big draw back for me, but I love the versatility of the car. It has more then ample room for 4 adults, not a great deal of storage if you've got a full passenger load, but we usually only travel with the 3 of us anyways. I only wish they would allow the consumer the ability to upgrade not only the electronics, but also the interior. They would get a much broader audience.

After this we went off to see "Fame", which had some good tunes, but the dialogue and character development was extremely week. The TV show wasn't amazing, but it was like this movie, entertaining.

Sunday was very successful. Had a great breakfast of soft boiled eggs, bacon, and whole wheat toast while watching what must be my favorite program: Sunday Morning on CBS. Then it was off to prepare for my Open House, and lunch with my buddy Joe. The Open House was a great deal of fun, where I met several very nice people. Finally, the day ended with a Birthday party for Dad. Kate and Rob with family came down from Waterloo, and it was so nice to see everyone.

Today is turkey day. It has been a while since our last turkey dinner, so my mouth is already watering. I hope who's ever reading this, has a tremendous day as well.

What are the issues surrounding a Green Roof

During the last few months I've noticing a number of innovative builders in town either installing green roofs such as the Conventry, or are planning their new builds with green roofs Windmere. Here is a little information, which I felt might be helpful in answering questions you might have.

Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
Green roofs are roofs on which plants are grown. The roofs are extensions of existing roofs that are suited with waterproofing systems, fiber cloth, drainage systems, irrigation systems, and soil to keep the roof safe while providing an environment where plants can grow. These roofs are beneficial in a variety of ways. The evaporative cooling of the plants and heat reduction from the added thermal resistance of the plants can help reduce monthly cooling costs. This reduction is even more significant in urban areas where the roofs can also help combat "heat island effect," which is caused by reflections off buildings and cars in urban areas and often contributes to high cooling costs. Because of this, the size of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems on the roof can also be reduced in new or remodeled homes, which can save money. For homes or businesses with solar heating systems mounted on the roof, this cooling helps increase the efficiency of the solar units. Green roofs also extend a roof's lifespan an average of 20 years by reflecting UV rays and preventing the roof from experiencing extreme temperature changes. Because the plants and soil act as insulators, homes with green roofs require less traditional insulation. Green roofs act as a fire retardant and reduce noise pollution by buffering the roof. The buffering also eliminates nearly all electromagnetic penetration, which can be important in buildings with telecommunications equipment mounted on the roof.

Evidence has shown green roofs contribute to personal and societal well-being. Studies also show that green roofs help reduce stress, stress-related illness, and patient healing times. Food and flowers that can be sold or consumed by the homeowners can be grown on the roof. The plants on the roof help filter CO2 out of the atmosphere and other pollutants out of the rainwater. Having largely biodegradable roofs helps reduce the amount of roof waste filling landfills. They can also provide a habitat for small wildlife in urban or suburban areas. The work necessary to maintain, design, produce, and install green roofs can create much-needed jobs. Additionally, green roofs may be fashioned for specific purposes, such as playgrounds, day cares, or recreational/leisure areas that would provide additional outdoor community space.

Estimated Cost Savings:
Estimated cost for green roofs is $8-25 per square foot, depending on the type of roof (extensive or intensive; see "Issues" and "Installation"), soil and vegetation desired, and location of the home or business. Costs may be higher in urban areas because of traffic costs, or in areas where materials aren't readily available. Savings for the homeowner on monthly cooling costs vary depending on climate, building type, and typical building use; however, according to a 2002 Canadian Research Council study, green roofs can reduce peak energy demands up to 75%, but the average homeowner utilizing a green roof reported 20-25% reduction in heating and cooling costs. Some insurance companies, such as State Farm, are also offering a reduction in home insurance costs of up to 33% for installing green roofs. Companies installing green roofs could also potentially gain emissions trading credits or LEED points. It should be noted that the cost of replacing or fixing a green roof is usually higher than that of replacing or fixing an ordinary roof, but the savings due to the extended lifetime of green roofs will counterbalance these costs in most cases.

Issues:
There are several legal issues associated with green roofs. The homeowner or business owner is usually liable if there is any roof damage due to leakage or roots; therefore, it is very important that green roofs are properly installed and maintained. There is a time commitment for the homeowner or a hired caretaker of the roof, although this commitment can vary greatly. There are two types of green roofs: extensive and intensive. Intensive roofs can support a wider variety of plant life, even small trees, and are labor-intensive, requiring a lot of maintenance. Extensive roofs are much less demanding and are set up to be basically self-sustaining, needing only to be weeded once or twice a year. The time that is available for one to care for the green roof should be taken into account when deciding what type of roof to get and what time of plants to grow.

If the roof is being used for recreation, there are obvious potential personal injury issues, so safety must be carefully considered. Another tip for those looking to install green roofs is to set up a system that can collect rainwater or runoff and use that water to irrigate the roof. This keeps water bills lower and is another easy way to recycle resources.

Regional Issues:
Reduction in heating and cooling costs from green roofs is dependent on original demand, which is in turn dependent on local climate. Areas with more extreme temperatures such as Oakville, Ontario are likely to see the most benefit. Pollution reduction is most apparent in heavily polluted regions.

Installation:
Green roofs must be installed by a professional. Installation involves installing structural support, a vapor control layer, thermal insulation, a waterproof membrane, a drainage layer, a filter membrane, a growing medium (usually soil), and any desired vegetation. Installation of intensive green roofs is more expensive, typically $15-25 per square foot, than extensive green roof installation, typically $8-20 per square foot.

Green roofs can be installed in new or old homes. It is highly recommended or necessary (depending on the roofing company's policy) to consult a structural analyst before installing a green roof to ensure that the roof is tailored to work with a specific roof.

Heat Glorious Heat!

My good and dear friends, Colin Fell and his sister Susan Walkinshaw's mother had recently passed; her home had been sold, and the new owner plans to demolish the small home. Two years ago, they had replaced the furnace. They were kind enough to offer it to us and that same day our old furnace stopped working.

Until I watched one layer after another be uncovered under the skin of the old furnace I wasn't aware of what a big job it actually was. Taking out the old furnace which ran originally on coal, was converted to oil, and finally to natural gas, took 3 strong young men over 3 hours to dismantle. The furnace remains filled the back of the company's cube van, not including the dried remains of three small birds.

So now we saved this perfectly good furnace from being recycled, as well as added a much more efficient heating system to our little home. This adventure took two days. Out with the original heater, which the poor guys at Abbey Air had to uninstall and in with the new. Our carbon foot print just got a whole lot smaller, and the air is just that much fresher.

Transition Oakville: A Good Thing

Last evening, I was at a great meeting for Transition Oakville (goal of which is to make the town sustainable). The concept is to create a place to share experiences from setting up a vegetable garden and what to do with the excess produce, hooking up a water barrel, or creating a permeable driveway. There are going to be monthly meetings, which are open to all. Yesterdays meeting had 11 very knowledgeable and interesting people.

If you are interested in a subject which will help us reduce our carbon foot print, that residents can apply to their own lives, make a suggestion. If you are just interested in learning something, you'll be welcomed with open arms.

For further information is: http://www.transitionoakville.ca

Tankless Hot Water Heater: Did the conversion work?

During the past year, the new installation in our home was a gas tankless hot water heater. There were a couple of reasons my wife and I decided for tankless. My wife was getting sick of us running out of hot water, especially while she was in the shower. We heard that it would save gas, since it didn't need to maintain the water temperature in a tank. Finally, it saves space which is important to us, because our home is less then a 1000 sq ft.

So I looked at the gas bill for June 09 vs June 08 to see how things were looking. On a daily average for the month we were using 4.5 cubic metres/day vs 6.1 in the previous June. I noted that the temperature for the month was the same, and we had made no other adjustments. So we were saving about 1.6 cubic metres per day or 49 cubic metres per month. This translates into $20.82 per month or $250.00 per year. This kind of return is welcome, but the cost of the rental still puts us into a negative of $14 per month. So from a financial perspective it hasn't worked out yet.

Did the change help us to accomplish our goals? It provided my wife with hot showers; it saved space; it lowered our environmental imprint. So would I suggest it? From our families perspective the answer is yes; but if you are only doing it to save money, you'll be disappointed.

Why invest in a long term roof?

Any type of home can have a long term roof installed; however, from a financial perspective, some homes will not have a significant enough return on the initial investment. So before taking the leap consider the following:

1. Is the house a home that you intend to live in for next 20 to 50 years.

2. Is your house/home of a particular era which cause it to last the test of time.

3. Is your home in an area which will warrant this type of expense.

If you are wondering about the answers to any of these questions, speak to your local realtor. They should will give you guidance. So here are the basics about long term roofing selections.

Technology Snapshot & Benefits:

Slate, clay, concrete, and composite shingles, as well as metal roofing, offer longevity advantages over common asphalt-based shingles. Properly maintained, roofs made of slate, clay or composite shingles can easily last a century. Metal roofs in traditional "standing seam" or "batten seam" applications are available in terne (a thin mixture of tin and lead coating a carbon steel core panel) and now in terne-coated-stainless ( TCS, the same mixture covering a stainless steel core panel). Well-suited to cathedrals and institutional buildings, one manufacturer estimates a useful life of TCS roofing material to be about 500 years. All non-asphalt options provide freedom from reliance upon imported petroleum products.

Estimated Cost Savings:

Installed costs are nearly always greater than short-lifetime asphalt shingles. However, over the lifetime of the lasting roofing material, costs are usually lower than short-life alternatives. Over the span of a century, building owners may expect 4 to 5 roof replacements of asphalt shingles. The attendant labor and landfill costs are often several times that of a long-lasting roofing material. Also, landfill costs are expected to increase. For the homeowner who typically moves every five years, the real value of this measure is in its ability to increase resale value.

Issues:

Existing market bias towards short-term solutions tends to limit the range of roofing options presented to building owners. This has the effect of "locking-in" dependency on 1) products that rely on imported petroleum, and 2) the need for ever-increasing landfill capacity. Some regions may lack roofers and tradesmen skilled in the art of applying slate, metal, clay or composite roofing materials. Some regions may lack long-term landfill capacity.

Turf that is Green

Did you know that Buffalo Grass uses only .8 to 1.8 inches of water per week whereas Fescue Grass uses 2.1 to 3.7. Buffalo grass is likely the only native turf. It has a high tolerance to drought and extreme heat and cold, but isn't great in the shade. So the next time you're needing to re-sod or re-seed your lawn, think about your water bill and check out if Buffalo Grass will work for you.

Bamboo Flooring: Why or Why Not

Bamboo has become the hot new flooring, so here is a little information that will help you decide if it is for you. Bamboo flooring is a cost-effective and environmentally sensitive choice among traditional hardwood flooring options. An appealing building material, it is very durable, strong and long-lasting. Bamboo, a grass product and not a wood product, is harvested every 5 years without damaging the actual bamboo plant, and does not require pesticides due to its hardiness. It comes in four different types of flooring: natural, carbonized, vertical, and horizontal graining. The LEED program recognizes bamboo flooring as a green building material and permits points for the use of this flooring. There is debate over agricultural and manufacturing issues related to the production of bamboo floors. These issues include deforestation and the use of carcinogenic chemicals.

Estimated Cost Savings:
The pricing of bamboo flooring is comparable to the pricing of hardwood flooring.

Issues:
Verify the age of the bamboo. Often bamboo that has not had adequate time to harden (up to six years), will dent more easily. Avoid denting by checking with the manufacturer on the age of the bamboo.

Installation (Getting It Done):

Bamboo flooring is installed in a similar method to hardwood floors. The flooring will need to be acclimatized to the appropriate conditions before it is installed to avoid any potential damage. The planking can be glued, nailed, or stapled. Work with experienced contractors who specialize in the use of bamboo flooring to ensure beautiful, long lasting floors.

Studio City/Silver Triangle Home for Rent

Our 1948 Bungalow in Studio City, CA is going up for rent. It has 3 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathrooms, Redwood Floors, Off Street Parking, 2 Car Garage. Main intersection is Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd. The primary school is Carpenter Public School. Short drive to many major studios. 

Greater Toronto Green Building Tour - Friday, May 29, 2009

Join the Canadian Green Building Council of Greater Toronto as they tour across the city to view the best examples of Green Building. This full-day "Green Coach" tour promises to give you a first hand experience with leading edge green-building technology and practices. You'll be able to share this opportunity with other like-minded sustainability and green building professionals.

The following buildings will be on the tour.

• 483 Bay Street ("Bell Trinity Square") - First in Toronto to receive Gold LEEDS certification
  
• Earth Rangers Centre - A "living lab" of leading edge green design and technology
  
• The Archetype Sustainable House located on the TRCA Living City Campus
  

Included on the tour is a fully catered lunch. Space is limited to 50 people. To register log on to: http://www.greenbuildingontario.ca

Jewel of Westmount - Open House 2-4PM

Every once in a while you come across a jewel of a home: great upgrades, but more important then that great style in a smaller size. This is what 2251 Briarwood is with beautiful rich hardwoods, porcelain tiles, and were there is carpeting it has been upgraded  to give it that luxurious feel. The colour palette is neutral where it needs to be, and charmingly cheerful in a few select locations with periwinkle blue or ruby red. From top to bottom this house is complete, and move in ready. The back and front gardens are fully landscaped with beautiful perennials adding colour throughout the seasons. There is a substantial front porch to sit and relax while talking in the neighborhood activities, or the more private back brick patio with ample room to spare. There are 4 Bedrooms, and 2 full bathrooms, and one half bath. The master-bedroom does have an ensuite with soaking tub as well as a separate walk-in shower. The kitchen of warm maple cabinets has a built-in desk, substantial pantry, and large eating area looking over the family room with gas fireplace. 

I hope to see you at this jewel of a home!

A Lesson in Service from the Master

When people think of luxury service, the name Four Seasons is likely among the top brands that come to mind. It took Isadore Sharp 40 plus years to go from start-up to number one. I'm grateful that Mr. Sharp decided to let us in on how he did it, since I for one always am looking for ways to provide my clients with the best service. I also  look at profits from my real estate business as a direct benefit from putting my client's needs first. It is reassuring that this formula works right from the beginning, since it is what I've based my business on. 

So, if you are in a service business like I am, I would highly recommend reading "Four Seasons: The Story of a BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY". There are nuggets of excellent information about working with clients, partners, as well as employees.

I would love to hear what you think of this book.

Twittering with the rest of the world

I'm finally twittering with the rest of the world. So if you get a chance and want to keep up-to-date with what I'm up to, please follow me. I'll let you know what areas are starting to heat up, and if I happen among some interesting properties.  I'm listed under my name: Nolan Machan.

Take care,

Nolan

Another Stunning Day in Downtown Oakville

Hi,
I'm doing office duty today from 1 to 3 PM at the Royal LePage office at Lakeshore and Reynolds. Coming in to see a realtor with what ever real estate question you might have will provide you with a better insight to what is happening in the market in Real Time. Currently, the market is bouncing lightly along the bottom. Prices are at there lowest point in years, and the cost of borrowing money is so cheap it is hard to believe. The Fed has indicated that the Bank Rate is going to stay at this level until the second quarter of 2010. So you are safe. My mortgage rate which variable sits at 1.6%. Now I'm not going to get this rate for ever, but it sure feels good.

So if you're waiting for the perfect time to buy, and you are moving up, this is your opportunity to buy at the best prices. I'm seeing properties listed for $2.2 Million selling for $1.8 million. Not everyone is in this snack bracket, but you likely get the point. The more expensive the house, the larger the savings you're going to see.

In Oakville properties are now selling comfortably in the $500K to $1 Million range. There is limited activity above this price point. I'm thinking that prices between $1 million to $2 million will start to move this fall, and then in spring '10 the next level of homes will start moving. However, I just heard an interesting story about the butterfly effect, which is an analogy for lack of predictability for long term weather forecasting. In a nut shell, a butterfly might flap its wings in a particular direction in Africa causing the start of a Hurricane in Caribbean. It is an interesting concept, especially when you consider how many highly intelligent investors were caught flat footed during this stock market reversal.

So if you are interested in the current market, I'm happy to help you out, but long term forecasting in real estate is anyone's best guess. All we can do is use our knowledge, and provide an educated as well as thoughtful perspective.

Have a great day,
Nolan

Halton Green Screens - Your Thoughts

Well, we are almost through the first season of Halton Green Screens, and attendance is climbing each month. We've had several very interesting speakers, which is bolstering attendance. Our main aim is to educate as well as entertain our audience through film. I personally know that I've learned a great deal about sustainable living simply, sharks, and what large AGRI-Grow businesses are doing to our food supply.

So this is where I ask you if you've been able to attend. Are you enjoying the film series? Are there certain topics that you would like us to find films about? If you haven't attended, what might interest you in coming? Also any additional comments you might have about the series would be really helpful.

Thanks and have a great day!
Nolan

Open House 1302 Hillview in Falgarwood, Oakville

Hi Everyone,
I'm doing an open house at 1302 Hillview today, which is a stunning renovated 4 Bed 4 Bath home, incredible ravine lot measuring 75 by 150. A beautiful pool with plenty of extra yard for playing, a walk out basement and huge deck. I would love to see you if you have time to take a look.

Future of Food - Thursday 23 April 09

Halton Green Screen's is presenting the "Future of Food" on Thursday 23, 2009 at Encore Theatre (Kerr and Speers) starting time is 7:00 PM and there is speaker about food modification. This is a great opportunity to be entertained as well as learn about this important issue that we are dealing with. Hope you can make it.

"This stylish film is not just for food faddists and nutritionists. It is a look at something we might not want to see: Monsanto, Roundup and Roundup-resistant seeds, collectively wreaking havoc on American farmers and our agricultural neighbors around the world. In the end, this documentary is a eloquent call to action." - Tellride Daily Times

Halton EcoFest

Just wanted to remind everyone that today is the Halton EcoFest which always promises to be an excellent opportunity to see all new things green. All the political parties are represented, and you might want to ask the Liberals what happen to their green plan. Hopefully, it is just waiting for the next election to come out.

There is also a number of foods to sample, clothes to buy, and new and old gadgets to look at. I believe there is even a Green investment councilor. It would be interesting to see how a Green Portfolio stood up during this past economic down turn. 

Also included are all the Environmental groups from Bronte Creek to Oakville Green. So if you are looking to participate in making Oakville a better place, these groups are an excellent way for you to participate.

Hope to see you there and if you do manage to make it out, please say hi!

Oakville's Opportunity!

I just finished "Greenliving" magazine's spring issue, and what a wonderful uplifting publication. This issue is all about outlining the Canada's Greenest Cities of Tomorrow. Unfortunately, Oakville is not on the list, and for me that is a great opportunity. Wouldn't it be amazing to be living in the healthiest town we can, with great public transit, people riding their bikes not just for exercise but also a legitimate way of getting around, that Tim Horton's and especially Starbucks would serve you coffee and donuts on china plates and  in china cups when you're eating at the store instead of creating the mounds of trash just outside. That the board of education would realize that walking to school is important for a small child's education.

I would like to praise the city about the use of Hybrids for parking enforcement, but wouldn't it be great if Ford would finally put a small car Hybrid into production.  Isn't it great that we finally have a tree cutting by-law with some teeth. All these changes are having a positive effect on your community. Keep up the good work Oakville, we will be on the list soon enough.

Have a great green day!

Halton Green Screens present "Refugees of a Blue Planet"

Open House Sunday 25 January 2009

I'm going to be doing an open  house at 88 Ennisclare. It is a beautiful older home, which needs a little tender loving care. It has great principle rooms, and a tudor cottage feel included leaded glass window. The open house will be from 2 to 4 PM on Sunday January 25, 2006. 

I hope you can make it.

Great Event at Encore Theatre

Last night was the start of the Halton Green Screens showing the 11th Hour. The film was a series of the world's top scientists, authors, and environmentalists position on the state of our planet, and how we as a species are affecting our environment and the environment of all the world's species. It was an eye-opening experience for the 40 plus attendees. 

However dyer the film is in the beginning, it ends on a very uplifting note. I share their perspective that we are about to enter the new green revolution which will be as fabulous as it is fascinating. 

The next film is on Feb 26th at Encore Theatre: Refugees of the Green Planet. If you would like to find out more about the series is: www.haltongreenscreens.ca. Tickets are $5.00, and the event as includes a discussion about the film. CJ's Cafe in Bronte is giving away a $5.00 coupon and a selection of current books are also available.

Come one Come all for a night of Eco-Friendly Fun

Today is the beginning of Green Screens in Halton happening at the Encore Theatre in Oakville at Kerr and Speers. Today's presentation is the 11th Hour promising to provide the audience with a Hollywood perspective on the effects of Global Warming.

I'll be there selling two books which you can pick up for less then retail: Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies by Eric Corey Greed who is a LEED accredited architect, and  Green Cleaning for Dummies. So if you are looking for simple ways to green your home either title will provide you with a few insights.

Also CJ's Cafe in Bronte will be providing attendees with a gift as well. Blake Poland a professor of health promotion at the University of Toronto will be providing further insights to the topics being brought forward in the film.  

Come out for an enjoyable evening with like minded people for the value price of $5.00 per person. This event is also in honor of our dear friend who suddenly passed away Ron Toufar. 

A special thank you to Jeff Knowles, the owner of Encore Theatre who has graciously donated the movie theatre at no cost.

Finally Detroit Hearing the News

Wow, what a relief that GM, Chrysler, and Ford are finally hearing the news and implementing the mainstream production of  smart green vehicles. It is tinged with sadness; if they would have started out sooner, they might not have been in the mess they are in now. I only hope their new found commitment to green technology is not just a way to appease the US Federal Government. 

I was at Kennedy Ford the other day, and asked about the waiting time for a new Hybrid Escape, and they replied I would likely have to wait 4 months before taking possession. It is great to hear that consumer demand is so strong. 

Thank you Loblaws

Yesterday it was announced that the Canada's largest food retailer is starting to phase out the use of the plastic bag (at least in Toronto). Though I cannot say that I'm surprised by this new change it is great when a large retailer finally understands the impact they have on the planet. I'm looking forward to when all retailers follow suit and realize that we can move from the refuse continent to the reuse. I'm sure Louis Vitton will soon make a shopping bag for the truly upscale consumer. Once we see the fashion industry take hold of this trend, we know that everyday moms and dads will not be far behind. Who knows maybe Galen Weston can talk to his mom, Hillary about getting Holt Renfew to be the first luxury brand of shopping bag. 

If you have something new please let me know, I would love to hear your story.