As a Co-Operative, Sustainable Ottawa will provide benefits for its membership. Membership will include financial, environmental and social benefits, primarily focused at a local, community level. There are project specific benefits and general benefits available to both corporate and individual members.

• Through bulk purchase projects, members will benefit through reduced costs for technologies while at the same time, reducing their environmental footprint and saving money through lower utility bills. For example, applying solar technologies can result in savings of between $100 and $900 per year for the average Canadian household.
  
  
• Corporate and individual benefits will be achieved through community building partnerships with local retailers and suppliers who share in the same ideals and goals of the Co-Op. These partnerships will help to bring customers to specific retailers, and help them build a loyal customer base. The partnerships may be as simple as discounts on organic produce, to more complex agreements where a retailer donates branded merchandise in exchange for direct marketing opportunities (i.e., re-usable cloth shopping bags).
  
  
• Other partnerships will take advantage of significant growth in the organic food production industry by helping to support local growers and promoting locally grown produce. For example, this could include special rates for farmshare schemes, or weekly fresh vegetable baskets delivered by local farms. Promoting local organic producers has the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the Co-Op’s overall goals.
  
  “Organic farming produces similar yields and often higher profits compared to those of conventional farming, while consuming approximately 30% less fossil energy, eliminating pollution from herbicides and pesticides, and conserving soil life and water.”
  (Source: Pimentel et al. 2005. Bioscience: Volume 55, pages 573 – 582).
  
  
• The combination of bulk purchase agreements and community building partnerships will help to build capacity in the region and will have the synergistic effect of allowing the Co-Op to become better established and to negotiate for better prices with more local retailers.
  
  
• All members will be able to take advantage of educational benefits provided through increased access to industry reps, technical experts and other environmentally motivated individuals. The website www.SustainableOttawa.ca provides members with easy access to discussion forums, informative newsletters, and other educational materials that support the Co-Op’s vision.
  
  
• Partnerships with other local organizations with expertise that is useful and relevant to Co-Op members will also be pursued. These may involve joint presentations, seminars or workshops on new technology or other educational opportunities. Members will benefit through exposure to other educational and/or marking opportunities.
  
  
• All members will have the opportunity to have a voice in the Co-Op’s advocacy and support role. The Co-Op will maintain a non-partisan position and will work to build strong ties with government and industry.