Toronto Climate Week Challenge - Terms of Use

Last updated: September 28, 2025

Overview

The Toronto Climate Week Challenge (the "Challenge") is a climate action initiative that empowers Torontonians to make measurable environmental impact through cooking one climate-smart meal during October 2025\. ZestyPlan Inc. ("ZestyPlan," "we," or "us") operates the Challenge in partnership with Toronto Climate Week ("TOCW") to bridge climate inspiration to immediate, tangible action through food choices that reduce carbon emissions.

This Challenge platform and associated mobile applications and services, including any related websites and digital tools (collectively, the "Platform"), are made available to participants ("participants," "users," or "you") subject to these terms and conditions, including those set forth in our Privacy Policy (the "Terms"). By registering for, participating in, or accessing any materials from the Challenge, you agree to follow and be bound by these Terms, which may be updated by ZestyPlan from time to time without notice to you. You can review the most current version of these Terms at any time at tocwchallenge.zestyplan.com.

ZestyPlan and its third party providers may make improvements and/or changes in the information, recipes, impact calculations, features, programs, and services described on the Platform ("Content") at any time without notice. Certain provisions of these Terms may be supplemented by expressly designated legal notices or terms located on particular pages of the Platform.

BY CONTINUING TO USE THE PLATFORM OR PARTICIPATE IN THE CHALLENGE, YOU ARE INDICATING YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS AND ALL REVISIONS THEREOF.

TOCW and ZestyPlan reserves the right at any time to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Challenge or Platform, temporarily or permanently, with or without notice.

Challenge Participation

Eligibility and Registration

The Challenge is open to all participants, with special recognition for Toronto and Greater Toronto Area residents contributing to our local climate impact goals. By registering, you agree to provide accurate information during registration and to maintain the accuracy of your account information.

Challenge Commitment

By participating, you commit to:

  • Cook one climate-smart meal during October 2025 using recipes provided through the Platform
  • Submit a photo of your completed meal through the Platform to confirm Challenge completion
  • If sharing your experience, do so in accordance with our community guidelines
  • Respect the environmental purpose and community nature of the Challenge

Recipe Usage and Food Safety

All recipes provided are for informational purposes only. You are responsible for:

  • Following proper food safety practices
  • Accommodating your own dietary restrictions and allergies
  • Ensuring ingredient freshness and proper preparation
  • Consulting healthcare providers regarding any dietary concerns

TOCW and ZestyPlan makes no warranties regarding recipe outcomes and assumes no liability for food safety, allergic reactions, or dietary impacts.

Content and Intellectual Property

Platform Content

The Platform and all Content, including recipes, impact calculations, educational materials, and design elements, contain proprietary information protected by intellectual property laws. Except as expressly permitted, you may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any portion of the Platform or Content for commercial purposes.

User-Generated Content

You retain ownership of content you create and submit to the Platform, including photos, videos, recipe modifications, and completion reports ("Your Content"). However, by submitting Your Content, you grant ZestyPlan and TOCW a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to use, distribute, reproduce, modify, adapt, publicly perform, and publicly display Your Content for:

  • Promoting the Challenge and its environmental impact
  • Educational and inspirational content creation
  • Marketing future climate action initiatives
  • Supporting ZestyPlan's mission to democratize sustainable eating

Community Guidelines

By participating, you agree to:

  • Share authentic experiences and honest feedback
  • Respect other participants and maintain a supportive community environment
  • Not misrepresent your participation or environmental impact
  • Avoid sharing content that is offensive, harmful, misleading, or violates others' rights

Environmental Impact and Claims

Impact Calculations

Carbon impact calculations provided are estimates based on established environmental data and may vary based on individual circumstances, ingredient sources, and preparation methods. These calculations are provided for educational purposes to demonstrate the potential environmental benefits of plant-forward eating.

Our environmental impact calculations compare each plant-forward TOCW Challenge recipe with a similar dish that includes animal protein, using the same serving size and cooking methods.

Our Data Sources:

  • Carbon emissions: Our World in Data, based on the largest global food systems study (38,700 farms across 119 countries)
  • Water usage: Water Footprint Network, the academic authority on water consumption methodology
  • Real-world equivalents: EPA data for vehicle emissions and household water usage

What We Measure:

  • Carbon footprint: CO2 equivalent emissions from farm to retail
  • Water footprint: Total freshwater consumption throughout production

Our Approach: We identify the primary ingredients in each recipe, calculate their environmental impact per kilogram, and compare the plant-based version to its animal protein equivalent. We use conservative estimates and focus on the ingredients that drive 80% of environmental impact.

Real-World Context: We translate the savings into relatable terms using EPA data—like miles of driving avoided, cars taken off the road for a day, and bathtubs of water saved—to help you understand the actual impact of your cooking choices.

Our Methodology: While we can't know exactly what you would have cooked otherwise, our standardized comparisons demonstrate the significant environmental differences between plant-forward and animal protein-centered meals, helping you make more climate-conscious decisions in the kitchen.

No Guarantee of Specific Environmental Outcomes

While the Challenge aims to create measurable environmental impact through collective action, TOCW and ZestyPlan make no warranties about specific carbon reduction outcomes from individual participation.

Platform Usage and Restrictions

Permitted Use

The Platform is for your non-commercial participation in the Challenge. You may share your Challenge experience on social media and with your networks as encouraged by the Challenge guidelines.

Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

  • Access content or data not intended for you
  • Impersonate others or provide false information
  • Use automated tools to scrape or harvest Platform content
  • Interfere with the Platform's proper functioning or security
  • Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose
  • Reproduce or redistribute Platform content without permission
  • Create fake accounts or manipulate impact reporting

Third-Party Services and Partners

Partner Integration

The Challenge involves partnerships with restaurants, reward providers, and other local businesses. TOCW and ZestyPlan are not responsible for the actions, products, or services of these partners, though we work to align with organizations that share our environmental values.

External Links

The Platform may link to external websites or resources. We do not endorse or control these external sites and are not responsible for their content, privacy practices, or availability.

Privacy and Data

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information in connection with the Challenge. By participating, you consent to the data practices described in our Privacy Policy.

Disclaimers and Limitations

"As Is" Provision

The Challenge and Platform are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free from viruses or other harmful components.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ZestyPlan, TOCW, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and partners shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your participation in the Challenge or use of the Platform, including but not limited to damages for loss of profits, data, or other intangible losses.

Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge that cooking and food preparation carry inherent risks, and you participate in the Challenge at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety and for following proper food handling and preparation practices.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold ZestyPlan, TOCW, and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, agents, representatives, employees, and partners harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of your participation in the Challenge, your use of the Platform, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of another person or entity.

Termination

TOCW and ZestyPlan reserve the right to terminate or suspend your participation in the Challenge or access to the Platform at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, including if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms.

Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time by posting updated Terms on the Platform. Your continued participation in the Challenge after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

General Provisions

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and ZestyPlan regarding the Challenge and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms will otherwise remain in full force and effect.

Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. ZestyPlan may assign these Terms without restriction.

Contact Information

We welcome your questions and comments regarding these Terms and the Challenge. Please contact us at:

Email: contactus@zestyplan.com Address: Zestyplan Inc., 14 DeGrassi Street, Toronto, ON, M4M 2K3

By participating in the Toronto Climate Week Challenge, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use.