ACS Canada's Sustainability Certification Requirements

To achieve Sustainability Certification, the operators must meet the following key requirements:

1. Environmental Management: Implementation of systems to monitor and reduce environmental impacts, including energy consumption, water usage, and emissions. This includes adopting sustainable practices for resource management and ensuring compliance with local environmental regulations.

2. Waste Reduction: Develop and maintain programs aimed at minimizing waste production, including recycling initiatives, responsible disposal of hazardous materials, and the reduction of single-use materials.

3. Energy Efficiency: Adoption of energy-efficient technologies and practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower overall energy consumption, such as using renewable energy sources and optimizing production processes for minimal energy waste.

4. Sustainable Sourcing: Ensure that raw materials and supplies are sourced from environmentally responsible vendors. This includes verifying that suppliers follow sustainable agricultural or industrial practices.

5. Biodiversity Conservation: Implement measures that protect local ecosystems and biodiversity. This includes responsible land use, habitat conservation, and avoiding practices that could harm local wildlife or plant species.

6. Monitoring and Record Keeping: Continuously monitor environmental performance and maintain detailed records of energy usage, waste generation, water consumption, and other key metrics to ensure compliance with sustainability standards.

7. Training and Awareness: Conduct training programs for staff to ensure they understand and comply with sustainability practices. This includes promoting environmental awareness and encouraging behavior that reduces the ecological footprint of operations.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS

To achieve Sustainability Certification, operators must focus on the following sector-specific sustainability measures:

1. Water Management: Implement water-saving techniques such as recirculating irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting to reduce water consumption.

2. Eco-friendly Pest Management: Utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices that prioritize the use of biological control agents over chemical pesticides, thereby reducing the environmental impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

3. Energy-efficient Greenhouses: Install energy-efficient heating, lighting, and ventilation systems in greenhouses to reduce the carbon footprint. Consider the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power for greenhouse operations.

4. Sustainable Plant Sourcing: Ensure that all plants and seeds are sourced from suppliers that follow sustainable farming practices, minimizing the environmental impact of raw material procurement.

5. Waste Minimization: Implement composting programs for plant waste and recyclable packaging solutions for products to reduce landfill contributions.

6. Biodiversity Promotion: Encourage the cultivation of native plant species and maintain practices that promote biodiversity within and around the facility.

If you need sustainability evaluation and certification approval, please contact us via email at info@canadacerts.ca or by calling our North Vancouver office.