At J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) we have many reasons to celebrate Canadian Environment Week. From seedling to store shelves, we are committed to building a sustainable future.

Our sustainable and certified wood supply is a multi-generational commitment that has made us a leader in tree planting. Since 1957, we have planted over one billion trees, a Canadian record for a private company. Today, we are a leader in sustainable forest management and research.

Here are a few more reasons why we are celebrating Canadian Environment Week.

Fuel Conservation

Fuel savings are crucial for RST Sunbury, our New Brunswick-based trucking company. RST Sunbury has strong reasons to optimize its assets to save - resulting in both lower costs and reduced GHG emissions. In 2019, RST Sunbury saved 385,144L of diesel fuel due to improved efficiencies. And in 2020, the company increased its combined miles per imperial gallon (MPIG) rate by an additional 1.3 per cent, saving nearly 400,000L of fuel. 

New Brunswick-Maine Railways made several major capital investments in 2020 and 2021 tied to improved environmental impact and new technologies. First, the company (comprised of three short-line railroads), acquired 6 SD70M-2 locomotives, to replace 8 aging SD40-2 locomotives. With a Tier 2+ emissions designation, the newer locomotives consume 30 per cent less fuel than their predecessors, thereby emitting 30 per cent less GHG emissions.

In addition, the companies use of smart technology and analytics have allowed greater optimization of assets, and allowing the company to save 166,000L of fuel in 2020 compared to 2019. 

Marine Mammal Management Plan

With operations on both the Atlantic and Pacific Canadian Coastlines, in addition to the North Sea, Trinidad and Tobago, Atlantic Towing has a long record of working to protect and preserve marine wildlife habitats. Two key initiatives include the expansion of the company's Marine Mammal Awareness Program into the Marine Mammal Management Plan that encompasses all endangered marine mammal populations inhabiting all regions where Atlantic Towing operates. All vessels take additional precautions, complying with mandated or advised speed reduction zones and avoiding regions known to have dense populations of marine life (voluntary avoidance areas). 

Each vessel in Atlantic Towing’s fleet - tugboat or offshore vessel - is equipped with a copy of A Mariner's Guide to Whales in the Northwest Atlantic, a guidebook that helps crew members identify and steer clear of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals they might encounter while at-sea.

Green Marine Certified 

Atlantic Towing is a Green Marine certified organization and has maintained this accreditation since 2008. Green Marine is a voluntary, transparent, and inclusive program encompassing ship owners, ports, seaways, terminals, and shipyards across North America. To qualify, organizations benchmark their annual performance against 12 key environmental indicators. These include greenhouse gas emissions, environmental leadership, community impact, and underwater noise, among others. Over the 13 years since becoming a Green Marine organization, the company has increased its efforts to drive environmental performance, specifically relating to marine wildlife awareness and reducing underwater noise.

Paris Accord Agreement 

The Pulp & Paper Division has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent since 2005.  

The Paris Accord agreement requires Canada to have a 30 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030. This means the Pulp & Paper Division is well ahead of targets, and on their way to meeting the 2050 goal of having an 80 per cent reduction. 

Artificial Marsh  

Cavendish Farms owns and operates an artificial marsh built to purify water. The water used for processing at Cavendish Farms’ two plants in New Annan, Prince Edward Island is sourced through a series of on-site wells. Following the processing of potatoes, the water is treated at Cavendish Farms’ water treatment facility to ensure it meets all environmental standards.

The engineered wetland provides a secondary measure to further purify the water. The treated water is piped into the wetland where it starts a 48-hour process of being filtered through a variety of plant species that absorb the nutrients. Year-round daily sampling indicates that the marsh is effective. 

Cavendish Farms operates at the highest standards to ensure the protection of the environment.

Atlantic Costal Action Program

Universal Truck and Trailer recently worked with ACAP Saint John to protect a segment of land along Marsh Creek from erosion by planting native tree species along the creek bank. ACAP Saint John is a branch of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program, a community-based NGO dedicated to restoring and sustaining local watersheds and adjacent coastal areas.

The organization received a grant in 2020 to complete restoration work in watercourses connected to the Saint John River. Following a survey, the group noticed erosion next to the Universal Truck and Trailer service location. In September, ACAP Saint John planted 50 trees at the site - all were species that are already present at the site, which includes birch and willow trees. In the coming years, they are expected to become quite visible, and greatly increase the stability and natural beauty of the creek bed. 

For more information, or to become involved with ACAP Saint John, please visit http://www.acapsj.org/.