Metro Environmental Action Program
Our Mission: To make environmental protection a component of all of our business decisions both at home, and abroad, and to provide our customers with sustainable products at the best prices possible.
Fully self-funded, the Metro Environmental Action Program takes a three-step approach to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. Carbon Reduction. Avoidance. Offset.
Step 1: Carbon Reduction
INFRASTRUCTURE EFFICIENCY
The Metropolitan Tea factory in Toronto, Canada incorporates many design features intended to reduce energy use, and cut down on carbon release. These include:
Air Transfer & Lighting
Carton Upcycling
Maximizing Shipping Utility
Step 2: Carbon Avoidance
SOLAR ENERGY
In 2012 Metropolitan Tea installed 2,600 solar panels on the roof of their manufacturing facility. At the time of installation, it was one of Ontario, Canada’s largest privately owned solar arrays.
Our solar array generates 5x the amount of energy consumed by
our factory:
• Approximately 800,000 – 1,000,000 Kwh are generated each year
• In relation, an average house hold in Canada uses 11,900 Kwh per year (meaning on average we are producing enough power for 130 homes)
• There is some variance depending on sunlight levels over the course of the year
Solar electricity also helps us avoid substantial emissions each year (recent data):
• Carbon: 1,160,000 lbs / 526167.1492 kg
• SO2: 4000 lbs / 1814 kg
• NOx: 1600 lbs / 726 kg
Results:
• In 2012 Metropolitan Tea earned a Sustainability Award from the Toronto Board of Trade
• Our company became one of the world’s first tea blenders and packers to achieve carbon negative status
Step 3: Proactive Carbon Offsetting
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Metropolitan Tea became carbon neutral in 2011. As wholesalers of agricultural products, we believe it is our responsibility to offset the carbon we generate each year. The continued goal of our carbon offset strategy is to further reduce our overall carbon footprint, while promoting biodiversity in sensitive lands in Ontario.
Tree Planting
In 2011, in response to the UN Billion Tree program and Ontario 50 million Tree program, Metropolitan Tea planted 15,000 trees. 200 acres of abandoned farmland was purchased, and 7 species were planted to promote biodiversity. In addition to offsetting our carbon footprint, we’re proud to say these trees have also created new habitats for species at risk.
Wetland Preservation
Adjacent to our tree reserve, the same tract of land is home to 80 acres of historical wetland. Our tree planting initiative helped create a permanent buffer zone around this wetland to protect numerous species of beavers, endangered spotted turtles, endangered black terns and countless other birds and amphibians.
Forest Preservation
Finally, 80 acres of old growth forest were preserved. Each acre
absorbs roughly 30,000lbs / 13607.771kg of carbon a year.
The forest is home to foxes, deer, porcupines, bears, and more.
While the effects of global warming and climate change continue to make headlines around the world, Metropolitan Tea is proud of the work we’ve done to help mitigate the environmental effects of our business.