Environment
HOPA Ports takes its role as a responsible steward of the environment very seriously. We strive to be an active partner in the protection of both Hamilton and Oshawa Harbour, and we view all our activities through a ‘green’ lens, including greenhouse gas reduction, energy savings, pollution and positive stewardship of the land, water and air.
HOPA is committed to operating under the following principles in its Environmental Policy:
- Environmental compliance to applicable legislation
- Environmental protection of areas under the port’s jurisdiction
- Collaboration with external organizations and agencies
- Performance evaluation
- Continuous improvement of environmental performance
Environmental Initiatives
Hamilton Harbour RAP
HOPA is an active participant in the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (RAP), which champions tangible efforts to improve the natural environment, and embraces the multi-use nature of Hamilton Harbour: recreation, residential, industry and nature.
Protect and Enhance Water Quality
Randle Reef
HOPA Ports is proud to contribute expertise and $14 million cash and in-kind to the Randle Reef Sediment Remediation project. In 2019, the $139 million project continued with the dredging of contaminated material from the harbour bed, and placing it inside the engineered containment facility.
Protect and Enhance Air Quality
HOPA works proactively with port tenants to address sources of dust and improve air quality. Learn more about our dust mitigation efforts. >
Research Partnerships
HOPA Ports is proud to support research activities by contributing funding or granting access to port property. These projects include two McMaster University studies on migratory birds and round goby, as well as a study of ring billed gulls by Canadian Wildlife Services.
Promote Biodiversity
Pollinator Corridor
HOPA is working to build a pollinator corridor across port lands by planting pollinator gardens that contain native plants that provide food and shelter for pollinators like butterflies as they travel across port lands. The gardens were planted as part of the Pollinator Paradise Project.
Tree Planting
HOPA is working to plant native trees on port property to enhance port-city interface as well as promote biodiversity.
Reduce Waste & Energy Consumption
Paper Use
In 2018 HOPA began tracking its paper use, and shifting away from paper for key activities. In 2018 we reduced our paper usage by 19%
Energy Efficiency Projects
We’re continuing our work to make port facilities more energy efficient. In 2019, we completed projects at 1632 Burlington St., Shed 11 and 450 Sherman Ave. Together, these projects reduced energy use by 363,847 kWh.