What's unique about Commercial Drive on a rainy day? Well the umbrellas of course! What other community has the environmental mindset to turn their colourful community banners into bright and sturdy umbrellas with a lifetime warranty? Oh and reuseable bags to boot!
The Commercial Drive Business society replaces it's 256 nylon street banners almost every year in an effort to keep the Drive alive. That left them with the question of what to do with the 256 banners they take down every year. Their answer was genius on so many levels. These banners are remade into reusable shopping bags and umbrellas.
According to the Commercial Drive Business Society, as of December 2011, this has prevented over 14.3 tons of CO2 emissions, eliminated 805 lbs from going to the landfill & saved enough BTUs of energy to power a typical vancouver home for 2.5 years!
This years editions of the bags are being made by The Kettle Friendship Society. This give 
opportunity to a local non profit society that enables individuals with mental illness.
The umbrellas are also made in Vancouver at The Umbrella Shop. Talk about keeping things local. The people of Commercial Drive love local, and this is just one fine example. When the current stock of bags and umbrellas are sold, there will be $14,000 in the bank and it is all in a green space Fund which is dedicated to developing green spaces in the neighbourhood.
If you you happen to need more shelter from the rain than this Umbrella give me call or send me an email I specialize in putting roofs over the heads of people in East Vancouver, especially Commercial Drive. You can start searching at www.citydreamhomes.ca.
Debra Harbaruk - ReMax City Realty
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