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Clean Air Foundation aims to send 1,000 more old clunkers to "Car Heaven" over the summer months
| Waterloo, ON, June 14, 2002
| The Clean Air Foundation brought its pollution-reducing message to Kitchener-Waterloo today, announcing that it aims to get 1,000 high emitting older cars off South-West Ontario's roads and into "Car Heaven" this summer.
Car Heaven is the Foundation's accelerated vehicle retirement program (VRP), created with the aim of achieving measurable improvements to the air by getting older, high-polluting vehicles off the road and ensuring they are responsibly recycled.
To encourage participation donors are offered a range of incentives including a free tow (typically a $200 value) and a charitable receipt worth a minimum of $60. In addition, those who choose to give up their old car this summer will have the chance to win one of a number of prizes-including a brand new low-emission 2003 Ford Focus or one of 15 Minelli Adventure bikes.
Since the program launched in July 2000, Car Heaven and its partners have retired over 5,800 vehicles-generating emission reductions of over 52 tons of nitrous oxides (NOx), 33 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 676 tons of carbon monoxide (CO). In addition, Car Heaven has generated over $100,000 for a range of affiliated local charities, which receive the proceeds generated by the donated vehicles.
"The Clean Air Foundation and its many partners have made it easy and convenient for drivers to contribute to clean air and clean communities," said Elizabeth Witmer, Deputy Premier, Minister of Education and MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo. Deputy Premier Witmer also took the opportunity to present the Foundation with a cheque for $180,000 from the Trillium Foundation in support of the Car Heaven program.
"Getting 1,000 cars off the road in South-West Ontario will make a measurable difference to the air," said Ian Morton, Executive Director of the Foundation. "It will also generate additional support for charities and local economies. This summer, we're aiming to continue to get the word out: When the time comes, Car Heaven is the right place to send an old car."
Delivering the message means, in part, that Tri-city residents will be seeing some "Angels" this summer. Imperial Oil, a key sponsor of the Car Heaven program, has provided the Foundation with promotional support that will allow Car Heaven Angels to travel to local events and visit more than 20 ESSO retail locations throughout the summer-including locations in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, St. Catharines, and London.
Cindy Christopher, manager, public policy and regulatory affairs, environment and safety with Imperial Oil, said the company is pleased to support the Car Heaven program in getting old clunkers off the road. "We strongly encourage and support the wise and efficient use of all forms of energy, which reduces emissions and also saves money," Christopher said. "That not only makes good economic sense for drivers, it's responsible common sense for the environment."
The Angels will be providing customers with information and tips on how vehicles can be more fuel-efficient, as well as promoting the retirement of vehicles through Car Heaven. In addition, thanks to the Ford Motor Company of Canada, the Angels will be traveling from location to location in low emission Ford Focus vehicles decaled with the Car Heaven logo.
Car Heaven is facilitated through a partnership with the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), whose members pick up and recycle each donated vehicle. Proceeds generated by the donation of the vehicle are given to one of a number of affiliated local charities, including the Kidney Foundation, the Recycling Council of Ontario, the Canadian Hearing Society, Literacy Link Niagara, Epilepsy Ontario, and the Sunshine Dreams for Kids Foundation.
Said Trevor Pettit, Executive Director of OARA, "We are proud to be a part of Car Heaven. It generates significant support for a number of worthy causes as well as for our member companies in communities throughout Ontario, companies that ensure vehicles are responsibly recycled."
The public can obtain more information about Car Heaven by calling
1-888-731-7311 or visiting the Car Heaven website at www.carheaven.ca. Program information is also available through Ontario's Drive Clean Program test and repair facilities in Phase 1 and Phase 2, and through dealerships that belong to the Ontario Automobile Dealers Association (OADA).
The Clean Air Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing, implementing and managing public engagement programs and other strategic initiatives that will lead to measurable improvements in air quality. The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture. The Trillium Foundation receives annually
$100 million in government funding generated through Ontario's charity casino initiative.
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