GUELPH, ON, March 4, 2014 /CNW/ - A new partnership announced today will see The Co-operators donate an estimated $650,000 worth of salvageable material from damaged homes to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores in Canada annually. Not only will the ReClaim program provide a financial boost for local Habitat for Humanity affiliates that operate ReStores, it will also potentially divert approximately 400,000 kilograms of waste from landfills.

The partnership is the first of its kind for the Canadian insurance industry and for Habitat for Humanity Canada. When clients suffer damage to their homes, Co-operators claims staff work with contractors to have repairs completed as quickly as possible. During the repair process, items such as furniture, flooring and appliances are replaced as required. However, there is often material that could be re-used elsewhere; under the ReClaim program, such items will be donated to the local ReStore.

"The ReClaim program is a great example of how we can contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of our communities by adapting the way our day-to-day work is carried out," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "Our clients will also appreciate that items from their homes will be going to support the great work Habitat for Humanity does in their local communities."

Habitat for Humanity is a national non-profit organization that helps provide affordable housing options for families and raises awareness about the issue of affordable housing in communities throughout the country. It selects and prepares partner families for home ownership, manages construction of Habitat homes, and holds partner family mortgages.

"Habitat homeownership helps families break from the cycle of poverty and improve their lives in critical areas like health and happiness," said Kevin Marshman, president & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. "Stronger families mean stronger communities and this innovative partnership with The Co-operators will enable us to do more in those communities where there are Habitat for Humanity ReStores."

Contractor partners Paul Davis Systems, ServiceMaster Canada and WINMAR were instrumental in a successful pilot project in Ontario last year. They, along with others that work with The Co-operators across the country, will help make the national program possible by removing and transporting the materials to be donated.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $34 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity:
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. With the help of over 63,000 volunteers every year and 65 affiliate organizations from coast to coast, their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to break the cycle of poverty in Canada and around the world. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators