Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR) is a social enterprise nonprofit that’s committed to helping the local business community, and Waterloo Region as a whole, become environmentally and economically sustainable and strong.
Our mission is to lead the transformation to sustainable systems of energy, mobility and construction to help build a cleaner, more diverse economy, and a more just and equitable community.
We support businesses and members of our community in a variety of ways to help find the sweet spot where financial and environmental sustainability come together. By bringing together key stakeholders, it’s our goal to build a movement toward a shared vision of the future that benefits everyone. We believe that providing clarity in direction and transparency in progress reporting leads to greater individual and collective success for our region.
Our programs focus on organizational sustainability practices and target setting, commuting options, regenerative building practices, community greenhouse gas impacts, and electric vehicle adoption.
Join us and become a leader in our community for a more resilient and sustainable future!
Our Culture
We are a dedicated mix of volunteers, interns, and staff with a huge range of experience, skills and expertise. We’ve grown so much since SWR started over a decade ago, and we’re extremely grateful to have such a motivated and enthusiastic group working together to achieve our mission.
We’re also a committed team, motivated by a shared passion for sustainable progress to create a better future in Waterloo Region. Together, we’re working to realize our vision for an environmentally and economically resilient community that prioritizes the wellbeing of current and future generations. We do this by:
- Living our values—we have a strong passion for sustainability
- Believing in a collaborative approach and community-based leadership
- Working together with a commitment to transparency
- Believing in the power of conversation to get things done—conversation leads to action and results
- Being innovative and open to change
- Constantly looking for ways to do more and be better
- Having fun, laughing, and bringing out the best in one another—everyone is well supported
Our Values
Collaboration: We know that a collaborative, supportive approach is a powerful way to achieve results, and we strive to use that approach in everything we do.
Collective Potential: We are not willing to sit on the sidelines, waiting or hoping for others to create the kind of community and world that we dream about. Together, we can make a difference, and we value our collective potential for impact toward a more sustainable community.
Credibility: We know that impact is only meaningful with clarity and transparent reporting. We hope to inspire others with the integrity of our message and we value the importance of credibility in ensuring that our impact makes a difference.
Results: We value a shared focus on taking action and achieving tangible results.
Sustainability: We’re united by our belief in the importance of environmental sustainability in the prosperity of Waterloo Region. It’s why we’re here and it’s what we do!