Sustainable Ideas for Creating Office Team Retreats in Toronto That Everyone Loves – especially the Planet
Amid the whirlwind of deadlines and meetings, there’s a power in taking a step back—a retreat, if you will. But this isn’t just any escape from the office. This is where vision meets action, where sustainability isn’t just a checkbox, but a living, breathing embodiment of your company’s mission and values. A team retreat can be the moment where you don’t just refresh minds, but realign hearts with the company’s purpose—by creating experiences that mirror your dedication to a better future. Here’s how to make your Toronto retreat not just a momentary getaway, but a memorable statement of who you are and where you’re going.
Office retreats have evolved into more than just a break from work—they’re about creating meaningful connections, recharging creativity, and, when done right, leaving a smaller environmental footprint. In this post, we’ll show you how to plan a team retreat in downtown Toronto that not only brings people together but also aligns with your values.
1. Find Sustainable and Fun Downtown Toronto Venues for your team retreat
Toronto’s downtown is full of unique venues that offer the perfect combination of fun and functionality. Whether it’s a rooftop space with a stunning view of the city or a cozy event space near a green park, you can find plenty of eco-friendly venues in Toronto that support sustainability without sacrificing style. Consider spaces that are walkable, easily accessible by public transit, or offer bicycle parking to encourage eco-friendly transportation options for your team. Look for venues that utilize energy-efficient lighting, have recycling programs in place, and align with your company’s environmental values.
Here are our top picks venues in downtown Toronto:
- Center for Social Innovation Located in downtown Toronto, the Center for Social Innovation (CSI) offers dynamic meeting spaces and large events spaces perfect for mission-driven teams. With a focus on sustainability and community, CSI provides an inspiring environment for workshops and collaborative retreats that align with social impact values.
- Evergreen Brick Works Located just minutes from downtown in the Don Valley, Evergreen Brick Works combines eco-conscious infrastructure with flexible spaces, perfect for teams that want to connect with nature. It’s ideal for sustainability-focused retreats, with indoor and outdoor options available.
- Toronto Botanical Garden For a retreat with a touch of nature, the Toronto Botanical Garden offers beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, perfect for creative thinking and relaxation. Located just a short drive from downtown, it’s a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle, with lovely garden views and eco-friendly amenities.
- Todmorden Mills : This historic site and cultural space in the Don Valley offers a blend of nature and history. With its surrounding gardens, wooded areas, and indoor galleries, Todmorden Mills is ideal for outdoor team-building activities, eco-friendly retreats, or workshops that connect people to the natural world. It’s a great spot for teams who want to mix learning with relaxation in a green space close to downtown.
- The Bentway Located beneath the Gardiner Expressway, The Bentway is a unique urban space that combines art, culture, and green initiatives. This innovative venue offers a variety of outdoor spaces perfect for creative retreats, team activities, or casual corporate events with a modern, urban edge. The space is dynamic and engaging, with installations and programming that make for a unique team experience.
2. Make Food both Sustainable and Delightful for your team retreat – For everyone
When planning an office retreat, food plays a key role in bringing people together. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a shared experience that can fuel conversations, spark creativity, and make everyone feel included. But how do you make sure that the food is not only delicious but also caters to everyone’s dietary needs and supports sustainability?
Here are a few tips for achieving that balance:
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Consider Dietary Restrictions and Preferences Early On
As you start planning the retreat, gather information on any dietary restrictions and preferences your team may have. Common needs like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free diets are easy to accommodate with a bit of planning. The earlier you know, the easier it will be to ensure everyone has something they can enjoy. You can even let them choose their meal, wouldn’t be that cool? -
Choose Local and Seasonal Foods
and/or Vendors
Sourcing locally not only supports nearby farmers and vendors but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting food. Opt for seasonal ingredients that are fresh and abundant in Ontario, as these tend to be more sustainable. Plus, locally grown food often tastes better, since it’s fresher and doesn’t travel as far to get to your table. When choosing a vendor, prioritize local vendors. -
Prioritize Variety
Offering a variety of dishes ensures that there’s something for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. Aim for a balance of proteins, grains, and vegetables, and offer creative plant-based dishes that even non-vegans will enjoy. Variety also keeps the meal interesting and encourages people to try new things. -
Focus on Reducing
Waste
From the way you serve food to how you handle leftovers, there are many ways to reduce waste. Avoid single-use packaging by using reusable containers or serving dishes, and have a plan for minimizing food waste—such as donating leftovers or offering composting options.
Embrace a Zero Waste Philosophy With Inwit
Inwit , you can ensure your retreat catering is not only delicious but also zero-waste. Based in downtown Toronto, we deliver food from curated local restaurants in reusable, stainless steel containers that keep food fresh, hot, and perfect for any office event or retreat. This zero-waste food delivery service ensures that your team enjoys a sustainable dining experience without the usual waste from food packaging.
Inwit offers meals that cater to all dietary preferences, from vegan and vegetarian options to gluten-free and allergen-friendly choices. After the retreat, you don’t have to worry about cleanup—we pick up the empty containers and reuse them, making it a hassle-free way to keep your event waste-free.
3. Eco-Friendly Transportation for Your Toronto Team Retreat
One of the easiest ways to make your Toronto team retreat eco-friendly is by focusing on how your team gets around the city. Encourage walking or biking to different activities to reduce your event’s carbon footprint. Downtown Toronto has plenty of walkable areas, including vibrant neighborhoods, scenic parks, and urban green spaces, so your team can take in the sights while getting to know each other better.
For a fun and sustainable transportation option, use Bike Share Toronto , which offers bike rentals at convenient stations all across the city. You can also rely on Toronto’s TTC streetcars and subway system to travel sustainably between retreat activities and venues.
Simply raising awareness about eco-friendly transportation options can be a powerful way to encourage your team to think more consciously about their impact, often leading them to make more sustainable choices both during the retreat and in their everyday lives. In fact, research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that environmental awareness and education significantly influence individuals to adopt pro-environmental behaviors, such as opting for eco-friendly transportation, ultimately helping to reduce their carbon footprint.
4. Plan Fun, Sustainable Team-Building Activities
Let’s be honest—team-building doesn’t have to be a grand production to be effective. The best activities are often the ones that feel effortless but create genuine connections. Here are a few easy, low-effort ideas that will help your team bond during your retreat, without any heavy lifting (for you or them):
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Salt and Pepper Game
This is a fun and easy icebreaker that gets everyone moving and interacting. Write pairs of related words (like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, Batman and Robin) on separate pieces of paper, and tape one to the back of each person. Then, have everyone mingle, asking yes-or-no questions to figure out what word is on their back and find their “partner.” Once pairs are found, you can have them sit together for the next activity or have a quick debrief on their process of finding each other. It’s a lighthearted way to get people out of their shells and working together. -
Collaborative Storytelling
Break your team into small groups and start with a simple story prompt—something fun, light-hearted, or even work-related. Each person adds a line or two to the story, building on what the previous person said. It’s a creative way to get everyone involved, and the results are often funny or surprising, creating shared laughs and memories. -
Speed Networking with a Twist
Sometimes, all it takes is a few minutes of one-on-one time to make meaningful connections. Set up quick, rotating “speed networking” sessions, where pairs of employees chat for just two or three minutes before moving to the next partner. You can even throw in a few icebreaker questions to keep things light. It’s perfect for getting people talking, especially those who don’t usually interact during a typical workday. -
Team Trivia
Who doesn’t love a good trivia game? Divide your team into small groups and throw in a mix of questions—some work-related, some fun, and some completely random. Not only does it encourage teamwork, but it also sparks conversations and playful competition. And trust us, everyone will be talking about that obscure trivia answer someone pulled out of nowhere. -
Show and Tell (But for Grown-Ups)
Ask each team member to bring in something meaningful—whether it’s related to work or something personal—and share a short story about it with the group. It’s a simple way to let people open up and share a little bit of themselves. You’d be surprised how much this small activity can deepen connections and foster empathy among colleagues.
Sustainability Should Be Easy—Not Overwhelming
Sustainability doesn’t have to feel like an extra chore. When you plan your Toronto retreat with Inwit , reducing waste and staying eco-friendly happens naturally. Our zero-waste catering service takes care of the details, so you can focus on creating an unforgettable experience for your team. No plastic, no waste—just great food delivered in reusable containers and an empties pickup service that handles everything afterward. It’s sustainability made simple, and your team will love being part of it.
Ready to Plan Your Next Office Team Retreat in Downtown Toronto?
Planning an office retreat in Toronto doesn’t have to be stressful or wasteful. With a little creativity, you can host a retreat that’s not only enjoyable but also aligns with your company’s sustainability values.
From selecting an eco-friendly venue to offering zero-waste catering and promoting green transportation options, your retreat can have a lasting, positive impact on both your team and the environment.
Curious about how zero-waste catering works or ready to order? Contact Inwit today to learn more about our corporate food delivery service and see how we can help make your next event as sustainable as it is delicious.
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