WWF and Loblaw turn green dreams into reality for Canadian schools
(TORONTO: June 1, 2011) – This spring, 28 schools across Canada will see their environmental dreams 8come true thanks to WWF’s Green CommUnity School Grants Program funded by Loblaw Companies Limited.
The grants, made possible through a corporate donation and partial proceeds from Loblaw’s national pay-for-plastic shopping bag program, are designed to help foster a sense of environmental stewardship in young students as well as to provide a hands-on learning experience in sustainability and greening one’s community.
This round of grants will provide funding for initiatives such as:
- Pulp mill to repurpose recycled paper at La Fraternite School in Montreal, Quebec
- Cameras to capture wildlife near a school in the Great Bear Rainforest at Shearwater Elementary School in Denny Island, BC
- Converting a bus to run on vegetable oil at Iroquois Falls Secondary School in Iroquois Falls, Ontario
FACTS
- This is the third round of funding, awarding $100,000 to elementary and secondary schools
- Any private, public, or independent Canadian elementary or secondary school that is working on a green initiative is eligible to apply for grants up to $5,000
- Find out more at www.wwf.ca/greencommunitygrants
QUOTES
“The Green CommUnity School Grants Program is meant to help foster innovation for the environment among Canada’s youth,” says Gerald Butts, President and CEO, WWF Canada. “Not surprisingly, the schools have realized a sustainable future is possible and are embracing this opportunity.”
“Loblaw is proud to help engage the next generation of environmental leaders with support from our national pay-for-plastic shopping bag program” said Bob Chant, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Loblaw Companies Limited. “In 2010, we have seen a 73 per cent reduction in plastic shopping bag use in our stores nationally and since 2007 we have reduced the number of plastic shopping bags from our stores by more than 2.5 billion.”
About WWF
WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada’s largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ more than 136,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada’s strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President’s Choice®, no name® and Joe Fresh® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President’s Choice Financial® services and offers the PC® points loyalty program.
For further information:
Riannon John
416-347-1894
Ryley Murray
416-489-4567 ext. 7337
Loblaw Public Relations Department
905-459-2500