Background
In 2017, the University of Waterloo committed to diverting 60% of its waste by 2025 and 90% of its waste by 2035, thereby achieving a zero-waste designation. This goal also furthers the University’s work on sustainable development goal 12: responsible consumption and production. The Shift Zero action plan outlines the need for major shifts in campus user behaviour if we are to achieve this objective. Students, employees and visitors must learn to divert recyclable and organic waste to the appropriate receptacles. Despite updated and enhanced waste sorting receptacles, reuse programs, and engagement campaigns, the diversion rate was 29.4% in 2020: less than half of where we aim to be in less than 5 years. A waste sorting tool and app for Android and Apple phones was launched at the end of 2021 to help users choose the right bin for their waste, and to navigate the many different recycling, organics, and waste reduction programs across the campus (see Shift:Zero waste sorting guide). The University of Waterloo is therefore looking for creative ways to promote its waste sorting tools and apps, to drive usage to the ReCollect platform as a means of improving waste diversion on campus.
Scope of Work
- Develop a public service announcement for raising awareness of the waste sorting tool and app.
Stakeholders
- Sustainability Office
Proposed Deliverables
The details of the deliverables are flexible but must meet the requirements set out by the course instructor. Some proposed deliverables include:
- Public service announcement text and/or images that the University is free to use in promoting its waste sorting tools and apps.