Sustainability Action Fund announces spring 2025 recipients
The President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (PACES) is excited to provide funding for five new campus sustainability projects in spring 2025 through the Sustainability Action Fund (SAF). Launched nearly a decade ago, SAF supports projects and initiatives that advance sustainability at Waterloo by connecting to our academic mission, improving operational practices, and/or fostering a culture of sustainability through campus engagement.
Spring 2025 projects:
Accelerating climate education
This project will support and advance sustainability and climate change teaching and learning at the University of Waterloo. The Waterloo Climate Institute will establish a working group, develop teaching tips, run professional development sessions, and host a curriculum retreat. This project is led by Waterloo Climate Institute.
Campus air monitoring
Building off a project supported in 2024, this project will fund the purchase of supporting sensors (traffic monitors) and equipment (e.g. solar panel and battery), installation, and services. Data collected will increase air quality and emissions awareness and education, both on campus and in the larger community. This project is led by Waterloo's Global Environmental Measurement and Monitoring hub.
QNFCF mercury recycling
The QNFCF lab uses a UV lithography patterning tool that uses mercury-arc lamps as a light source. By replacing the mercury-arc lamp with a UV LED lamp kit, it would eliminate waste from mercury-arc lamps, from optical components damaged by constant UV exposure, and will eliminate the need for nitrogen gas to cool the lamp housing. This project will fund the new UV LED lamp and is led by QNFCF.
Renison reusable containers
Increasingly, students are eating in their rooms or off-campus due to busy academic schedules and accessibility needs. This project will support the introduction of reusable, washable eco-containers to the Renison dining hall to address growing sustainability and accessibility challenges. This project is led by Renison University College.
United College water bottle refill station
This project will fund the installation of a water bottle filling station on the first floor of United College, filling an existing gap identified through space studies and student surveys. This project is led by United College.
Since 2017, SAF has distributed over $900,000 in funding to more than 90 projects across campus. To learn more about the funding criteria, application details, and upcoming funding rounds, please visit the Sustainability Action Fund webpage.
Explore recently funded projects below or check out all past SAF projects using the Sustainability Action Fund tag on our news feed →
