Spark

From our renovation in 2012, to our recent composting initiative, we’re always looking for new ways to reduce our impact on the environment. In 2015, our efforts saved 560 mature trees, 964,370 litres of water, and 244,150 kWh of electricity! And it’s all thanks to our dedicated Operations Manager, Don Lombaert.

Don started his position at St. Vital Centre in 2008, and quickly realized his passion for sustainability. Before long, he was the mastermind behind expanding our green initiatives. During his first year, he helped the Centre achieve BOMA BESt Level 3, and then recertified three years later to attain Level 4. At that time, the Centre was the only building in Manitoba to achieve that level of recognition.

BOMA certification was just one of Don’s efforts. He implemented a simple system for all store tenants and mall staff to recycle packing materials, hangers, paper, and more - a significant amount of “garbage” that can actually be reused. He was also heavily involved in our renovation, where low-flow toilets, urinals, and taps were all installed. As part of further renovations to our service area, he suggested a cold room be added at the same time to allow for composting by tenants.

"The biggest change for me, and probably the most spectacular, was the mall lighting,” says Don. "It was all switched to LED. You really need to see it at night to appreciate the lighting quality – it’s stunning.”

He says his biggest goal right now is to get more customers recycling and composting at the Centre’s Food Hall. "I’d like to get a hold of the compost that’s going into our waste receptacles, and I really need the public’s help to do that.”

On September 10 between 10am and 4pm, you can get involved by bringing your hard-to-recycle items to our first Green With Love event! We’ve invited organizations that specialize in material recycling to help educate us all, and to collect recyclables on-site. Click here for the full list of items that will be accepted.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to be green, and to help us be green,” says Don. “I think our problem in Manitoba is that we have so much space available, and don’t consider what we’re doing to the environment. I would invite anybody to take a trip down to Brady Road Landfill, and look at what we’re doing to the earth."

Our drop-off zone will be located in the northwest parking lot by Old Navy. If you’re one of the first 300 households to drop off recyclables, you'll receive a free yard waste paper bag as an instant thank you.

Happy purging!