Written by Michelle, student
With all that's going on in the world about our shared environmental responsibility, we're aware that we must all adapt to a cleaner, greener way of living, learning, and working.
The Sustainability Office and Campus Housing are working together to ensure that students who live in residence not only learn about sustainability but are also encouraged to make more sustainable choices.
In addition to them, the University of Waterloo’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy lays out a roadmap for connecting sustainability to every aspect of campus life.
From a successful move-out waste diversion and upcycle initiative that diverted over 4,900 lbs of waste from landfills, to setting staff operations targets to reduce waste, and incorporating our commitment to environmental sustainability as a guiding principle in our department’s Facilities Strategy, Campus Housing is committed to prioritizing environmental sustainability.
Campus Housing plays an important role in advancing Waterloo’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
These opportunities will significantly improve our environmental impact across campus and will allow us to bring sustainability to the forefront of our operations for our students.
"It is a very exciting time for sustainability in Campus Housing! With the use of strategic long-term planning and creating a long-term facilities strategy, significant opportunities have and will continue to appear. This will allow Campus Housing the ability to implement their commitment to sustainability through renewal opportunities and new builds across our infrastructure."
Here are three ways Campus Housing is working towards a green future in residence!
1. Food
Food Services and Campus Housing are working to make healthy, sustainable food choices easy and accessible for students.
- Eco-containers: Food Services leads the eco-container program that allows students to buy food in reusable plastic containers instead of single-use take-out boxes. For a one-time fee, students can buy an eco-container and exchange it for a clean one every time they visit the residence cafeteria. In 2022, this program saved 128,000 disposable take-out boxes and there is potential for so much more!
- Eco-mugs: Similarly, the eco-mug program offers a discount on coffee and tea to students and staff who bring their own reusable mug to any Food Services outlet.
- Plant-based options: Reducing meat consumption is one significant way to reduce personal carbon footprints. Nearly 50% of meals in residence cafeterias are now vegetarian or vegan, with delicious themed hot tables rotating weekly. On the operational side, this has led to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the last few years.
- Farm Market: This fall, the UW Farm Market returns to campus. Spearheaded by students and Food Services, this market sells fresh produce, baked goods, and other specialty items. It helps support local farmers while offering students nutritious, sustainable food.
2. Waste diversion
Campus Housing also works to make reducing, reusing, and recycling simple and convenient for students.
- Waste sorting: Cafeterias and common areas are equipped with four stream bins to collect organics, recycling, papers, and garbage. There are also many specialty programs to recycle e-waste, batteries, books, and more at all the residence front desks. Waterloo has a new Shift: Zero sorting app to answer all your sorting questions.
- Donations and 'upcycling’: Campus Housing collects items there are donated or left behind by students moving out of residence. Any clothing and non-perishable food are donated to the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA). Then in the fall, Campus Housing runs an ‘upcycle’ event to distribute the remaining items, such as cutlery, plates, kitchen supplies, and décor, to incoming students free of charge. Last September, they organized a three-day Upcycle event that diverted nearly 5,000 lbs from the landfill and helped many new students furnish their dorm rooms.
3. Student engagement
Campus Housing and the Sustainability Office bring students to the forefront of sustainability. The Green Residence program, first piloted by the Sustainability Office in 2019, supports passionate student leaders looking to make a change. Ambassadors are recruited during the start of the academic year and participate in professional development training, help supports sustainability programs, and lead outreach events in residence.
My favourite part about being an ambassador is constantly meeting and connecting with people who also advocate for sustainable excellence.
This program provided Sriram with opportunities to volunteer in the community directly. “As an ambassador, I was able to learn all about the university’s community like its green transportation options and local/sustainable food. Biweekly discussions taught me how to improve my eco-friendliness while on campus and at home. Programs like Green Residence encourage students to voice their opinions on how the university could improve its green initiatives. It’s also a great way to make friends!”
I really enjoyed being involved with the repair workshop and the 2022 Eco Summit
As a double major, Silvia didn’t have time to take courses not related to her majors, the Green Residence program provided the opportunity to continue to learn about environmentalism and how it relates to local and global initiatives. "I was also kept in the loop about Sustainability Office events and even had the chance to volunteer in some of them.
In 2021, the Sustainability Office and Green Residence Ambassadors began an organics collection program at UW Place (UWP), a residence complex of 1,650 students. Students signed up to receive a free compost bin, and volunteers in their building collected their organic waste once a week. This program aimed to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfills and to increase awareness of proper waste sorting.
I’m volunteering for the organics program because I’ve always been adamant about proper disposal of waste and recycling or composting whenever possible.
One of her favourite parts about being a volunteer is how Rebecca got to meet people within her residence; as well as becoming good friends with her volunteer partner from last term! "I believe the organics program is important as it allows students an opportunity to learn a life-long skill (i.e., cooking), but also for them to be mindful about food waste and learning what’s compostable and what’s not within different regions."
I decide to volunteer with the residence compost program to get involved with the University and continue a practice I’ve done growing up at home with my parents.
Kellen's’ favourite part of being a part of this program and being a volunteer is being able to help other people, introduce them to the concept of composting and being able to give something back to the environment and community. “I think this program is important because food waste is a huge issue in cities and with the university being such a large aspect of the city of Waterloo, it’s important we have programs and structures in place to demonstrate that a circular economy is achievable and something like this and can be implemented all over the city."
Campus Housing – and the thousands of students they welcome each year – have a vital part to play in Waterloo’s sustainability journey.
Incoming students who live in residence will have amazing opportunities to get involved with campus life. For students interested in contributing to sustainability in residence, we highly encourage them to connect with the Sustainability Office and the Green Residence program. The network of upper year Dons and residence life staff are also helpful in connecting students with campus groups that align with their interests.
