Since we looked at some of the greenest college campuses in the United States in a previous, let’s set our sights on the border to check out some of the greenest universities in the Great White North.
*THIS LIST IS IN NO WAY DEFINITIVE OR RANKED*
Acadia University
Location: Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Why So Green?
- Motor vehicles are banned from idling for longer than two minutes on school property.
- Converted its heating system from oil to natural gas to lower GHG emissions.
- Member of the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Simon Fraser University
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Why So Green?
- On its Vancouver and Burnaby campuses, Simon Fraser has a total of seven green buildings.
- 91% of students use more sustainable commuting & 73% of employees use more sustainable commuting options.
- Set a goal to divert total waste by 70% in over the 2014/2015 school year & ended up surpassing it with a 75% diversion rate!
Laval University
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Why So Green?
- A 12 % decrease in greenhouse gas emissions since installing an electric boiler in 2007.
- Over half of the University’s research chairs & 65% of its research centres are involved with sustainable development.
- Received a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) Gold Rating in March 2014 for their campus sustainability efforts.
York University
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Why So Green?
- The Toronto campus has a Green Campus Co-operative program that focuses on fair trade and organic goods on campus.
- All kitchenettes have been equipped with organic waste bins.
- The Lug-A-Mug program gives a 10 – 25 cent discount at all campus food vendors for those who bring a reusable mug.
University of Ottawa
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Why So Green?
- Ottawa’s campus has several action groups for going green, focusing on events like ‘Green Week’ and sustainable development.
- The Free Store allows students to drop off things they no longer want and pick up somebody else’s unwanted treasures.
- Has one of North Americas largest bio-filter walls, made up of 2000 plants of 12 different species.
Dalhousie University
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Why So Green?
- Has partnered with the Ecology Action Centres “Off the Hook” program to provide sustainable seafood on campus.
- Adding reusable water bottle filling station in place of water fountains around campus.
- Passed a paper policy in 2013 to reduce paper use and move to 100% post-consumer paper for the entire university.
Want us to add your school to the list? Drop us a line and let us know what your school’s been doing to keep it green!
Sources
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/14/green-universities_n_2474391.html
