OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
Here at One World Bazaar we are trying to do our part to reduce our impact on the environment. Now more than ever we need to take important steps to offset our carbon footprint during our time on this rock we call home.
One of the steps we’ve taken is to eliminate unnecessary waste, particularly plastics. Shipping product from around the world involves lots of packing, that’s why we reuse as much of it as possible! With a little effort and organization, it lowers our waste, reduces costs, and helps us keep prices reasonable. So don’t be surprised when that beautiful new piece comes wrapped in reused foam or paper.
You may have also noticed the solar panel array on top of the barn and ground installed beside it. These arrays generate up to 60KwH of electricity, helping to power Manotick Station and help us do are part to sustain the bazaar off renewable energy.
SOLAR POWER = LOCALLY GENERATED POWER = CITIZEN OWNED POWER
You will notice that the roofs of One World Bazaar has two large arrays of solar panels; they can generate up to 50KwH of electricity! There are three other smaller 10KwH solar systems in Manotick Station, one at the barn at Bakker’s General Store, a ground mount at the Bazaar and one at our neighbour to the west (on Mitch Owens).
In total, Manotick Station now has 80KwH of generation capacity. This little hamlet is now generating power for itself, especially during the hot summer days when the air-conditioning systems are working full out.
Manotick Station is now a little more self-reliant and independent and little less energy is wasted in transmission to meet peak demand requirements in the summer daytime. A small but important contribution to the local economy and the fight against climate change.
The 50KwH system on the Bazaar barns is owned by the Ottawa Renewable Energy Cooperative. OREC was founded in 2010 to enable residents of Eastern Ontario to invest in community owned renewable power generation. Their objective is to invest our members capital in community assets that generate clean electricity and/or reduce consumption, and to do so in ways that keep the jobs and profits within the community.
OREC now has over 900 members, who have financed our 22 solar, 2 wind turbines and 3 energy retrofit projects. These assets have allowed OREC to pay annual dividends since 2012, and return capital to our investors on a regular basis.
Please consider joining OREC if you would like to earn a fair return on your investment and use it as a catalyst to generate local jobs and sustainable economic development.
The OREC Community Impact Report describes how we recycle profits, jobs and electrons in our community.
BULLFROG POWER (CLEAN RELIABLE ELECTRICITY)
The Province of Ontario is facing a very serious electricity challenge over the next 20+ years. Our nuclear facilities are nearing the end of their operational life. Over the next decade much of the capacity will have to be replaced. But with what? More dirty coal? Government subsidized, and dangerous nuclear? Or a wide range of renewable sources? Everyone is concerned with costs. With renewables, the upfront costs are higher, but the operational costs are lower. As we all know there is nothing free, only the illusion of free.
The One World Bazaar through BullFrog Power, utilizes electricity that is produced exclusively from wind and low-impact water power generators. The small premium we pay helps ensure that new renewable sources of power can be brought on stream in Ontario, and hopefully slow the growth of dangerous, expensive and subsidized nuclear energy. This energy purchased from Bullfrog is in addition to the energy generated by the two solar systems at the Bazaar.