Sustainable development: a shared responsibility

We know that the construction industry is an unfortunate contributor to climate change. However, we believe in our individual and collective responsibility and the importance of all our actions towards improving the situation. Because if we're not part of the solution, we're invariably part of the problem.

What is eco-responsibility and why is it important?

For us, eco-responsibility encompasses all behaviors, practices and activities that are in keeping with a perspective of sustainable development and respect for the environment. Since every action has consequences, we strive to take concrete action that improves the state of things and inspires our staff, peers, and fellow citizens to take their share of responsibility in the face of climate change. We're far from perfect, but we're making every effort to build a positive future for everyone.

How to be eco-responsible?

We believe that eco-responsibility is a concept that can be applied on both a small and large scale, from the individual gesture to the organizational functioning of a company and a society. So, we try to extend our eco-responsibility to all levels of our company, from our administrative offices to our construction sites.

Our internal operations

To reduce the impact of our activities on the environment, we set up an Environmental Committee in 2008, which meets regularly to identify new opportunities for improving our practices and policies. The Committee is also responsible for informing, sensitizing, and educating our staff on environmental legislation and requirements, as well as new developments in various green certifications in the built environment, including LEED and Carbon Neutral. Their recommendations form an integral part of our strategic planning and internal policies and guide us in optimizing our sustainable development practices. Respecting the environment and reducing our ecological footprint have been priorities at JCB for many years, both in our administrative offices and on our work sites.

Our construction sites

The management of residual materials, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the sound use of natural resources on our worksites remain important challenges for all general contractors. Over the years, we have established partnerships with various material recovery companies that help us dispose of construction site waste in an environmentally-friendly manner. Thanks to these partnerships with specialized sorting centers, glass, wood, metals, plastics, gypsum, asphalt shingles, and mixed stone are increasingly being recycled on our worksites. We also try to give back to the community by redistributing to charitable organizations all items salvageable from our worksites, such as furniture in good condition or computer and mechanical equipment. We're happy to see that the actions we set in motion on our worksites have a major impact on our communities.

Our construction projects

For the construction projects we carry out, we encourage our project managers, estimators, and superintendents to obtain their LEED® certification, as well as any relevant training, so that they can guide their customers in achieving their environmental objectives. To date, we have completed more than 30 LEED and Carbon Neutral certified projects, and have all the knowledge required to help our customers reduce their ecological footprint, increase energy efficiency and maximize the life cycle of their construction projects. Whether our customers are aiming to achieve environmental certification for their projects or simply reduce their energy costs, our professionals do everything in their power to achieve their green objectives. With an impressive roster of suppliers who share our commitment to environmental protection, we have all the tools you need to undertake any energy-efficient project.

A collective effort in constant improvement

Every member of our team is made aware of our environmental policy, and we constantly encourage them to remain sensitive towards environmental issues, actively participate during informative trainings developed by the company and our Environmental Committee, and to act proactively in the face of any environmental issues he or she may witness. For us, this is a global challenge that requires everyone's contribution.

From an organizational point of view, JCB members make a variety of gestures in line with sustainable development daily. From recycling and composting to the purchase of ecological and local products and the organization of eco-responsible events, we strive to apply the 3Rs principle (reduce, reuse, recycle) in all areas of the company.

Ready to be part of the solution? Contact us now!

Collège Sainte-Anne à Dorval - Zero-carbon project