This is
Toronto
Wood
But it doesn’t have
to end like this
What happens to a tree in Downtown Toronto at the end of its life?
Ever see an orange dot painted on a tree? That dot means it will be removed by the City - old age, disease, development, whatever the reason. The majority are then ground into wood chips for landscaping mulch. While that's a big improvement over direct landfill dumping, we recognized in 2016 that there was an even more impactful opportunity to be had - one that would both celebrate the beauty of the tree and reduce CO2 emissions, all while bringing a focus back to our vital Urban Forest.
Thousands upon thousands of tonnes each year
There are over 10 million trees in Toronto, and when wood gets ground into mulch, it’s not only expensive for Torontonians, but we miss the opportunity to sequester all that carbon. Wood is on average 50% carbon, and when that wood becomes a table the carbon is secure. Our data tells us that if we sequestered all the carbon in all the trees coming down in Toronto annually, it would be equivalent to taking 60,000 cars off the road!
By connecting with the material, a sense of responsibility ... a love... takes root
What joy do you get from your IKEA table? What story can you tell about your Wayfair desk? With little attachment and meaning associated with our goods and who is making them, they become easily disposable. Instead, there are countless beautiful, century - old oaks, maples, ashes, walnuts, and others right here - you know, the ones that grace our parks and streets and take hundreds of years to reach their majestic size. They are an important part of the fabric of our city and should remain a part of our lives.
Recognizing a resource
Our story started with an issue of wasted opportunity, and what our journey has taught us is that by opening your eyes and "just being", you'd be surprised by what resources are all around. We've recognized that we can make a difference, and must to create a sustainable city. Less waste. Less need to ship in goods by truck or container ship. More connection to the natural world at our doorsteps.
The Golden Mile
Welcome to 772 Warden Avenue. Placed in the neighbourhood known as the Golden Mile, you'll find our new Studio. This is what being Woodsy is all about - using material sourced from right around us - we call this Golden Mile sourcing!
Thanks to the incredible vision of TAS Impact, Woodsy is helping build our city of the future. Together we are imagining a Wood Studio like no other, one that can make local wood accessible for all and that celebrates and connects us with our wondrous urban forst.
Come visit us!
We are grateful to be incubated by