Woodbine Racetrack's Food Court Reducing Waste

In an effort to reduce waste effective August 27, Woodbine Racetrack's food court will stop providing the small paper side plate that is currently being served with the soups and Chilli's. These are the little plates that the soup and chilli containers get put on when given to customers.

The plate will still be available for other side dish's or if requested by the customer. This small change should result in both a reduction in waste and overall cost savings. Even though the paper plates are recyclable we know that most of them are currently ending up in the waste system.

Cost Savings

2008 we served a total of 54,404 soups and chili's. To date in 2009 we have served a total of 38,170 soups and chili's.

Based on rough estimates (about 10 % of the customers we serve may still like a plate) this change should result in a reduction of over 50,000 plates a year at a cost savings of $3,000.00 (based on 2008 figures).

Waste Reduction Numbers

Based on 2008 numbers

1000 Plate Case Weight of 21 pounds will reduce overall waste weight from this facility by 1,050 pounds.

WEG & The Regional Municipality of Halton Partner on Special Waste Drop-off Days

To make the recycling of household hazardous waste and electronic waste more convenient to residents, Halton Region is holding Special Waste Drop-off Days throughout the year.

On October 31st, Mohawk Racetrack, located at 9430 Guelph Line, Campbellville will host a Hazardous Household Waste Drop Off Day from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

• Acceptable materials include: pesticides, paint, stains, motor oil, antifreeze, varsol, fuels, cleaners, pool chemicals, pharmaceuticals, propane tanks, household batteries, car batteries, and fluorescent tubes and bulbs.
• Unacceptable materials include: needles, syringes and lancets, asbestos, commercial and industrial waste, PCBs, explosives, and ammunition.

Electronics

• Acceptable items include: computers, stereos, phones, TVs, VCRs, DVD players and computer monitors
• Unacceptable materials include: metal and appliances, wooden console TVs, microwaves and scrap metal

Please note that Special Waste Drop-off Days are for Halton residents only. No commercial wastes are accepted.

WEG In Support Of The Ontario Power Authority’s Call For Energy Curtailment

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) will reduce its energy consumption at its Woodbine and Mohawk facilities between 1:15 pm and 5:15 pm today as part of the Ontario Power Authority’s (OPA) Demand Response Program (DR3). The recent hot temperatures and humid conditions put tremendous pressure on the Province’s electricity grid. An overly stressed electrical grid can result in “brown-outs” or in worse case situations, “black-outs”. As well, it prevents the need for importing expensive power from the U.S. to keep up with the demand, or the need to use coal powered plants to produce more electricity.

As a preventive measure, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) created its Demand Response Program. This is a contractual peak load shedding agreement between the OPA and energy aggregators like Direct Energy with the objective of reducing electricity usage when Ontario’s electricity grid is overly stressed. Businesses are compensated in two ways: for being on standby to shed power during selected hours and for reducing their power consumption when asked.

WEG’s curtailment strategy will be initiated through Woodbine’s Building Automation System (BAS) and manually at Mohawk. “The use of automation allows for a smooth and controlled transition from normal operations to a more efficient mode, which can only be sustained for brief periods of time.” states John Marhong, WEG’s Director of Infastructure and Energy Efficiencies.

In addition to increasing equipment set points, shutting down non-critical equipment and cycling some units on/off, employees are asked to do their part by turning off any unnecessary lights, equipment etc. in their work areas during this time.

Direct Energy, in partnership with its clients, including WEG, have committed to reducing electrical demand by 25MW when requested by the OPA. This is enough power to ensure that 10,000 homes will have a consistent electricity supply.