How does an institution like York University become one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive time? By reducing annual electrical consumption by 34,730,786 kWh, saving $5M in utilities every year, and recycling 3,705,780 kilograms of waste, for starters.
In the 11 years since the Canada’s Greenest Employers competition began, York University has landed on the list of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for sustainability initiatives more than half the time. York University is one of only eight out of close to 100 universities across Canada to win a spot at the top.
As a leader in sustainability, the University has embarked on several environmentally friendly initiatives that alter the footprint of campus buildings, such as five green roofs, the use of PV solar panels, the collection of rainwater, a solar powered electric vehicle charging station, and the LEED Gold certified Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. Three more buildings are also LEED certified.
York University’s sustainability highlights:
- As a long-time member of Smart Commute, York University has successfully reduced the use of single occupant vehicles to campus from 70 per cent to 20 per cent;
- York University’s ZeroWaste program diverts 68 per cent of waste from landfills;
- York University has the largest and first of its kind Faculty of Environmental Studies;
- The new Eco Campus in Costa Rica next to the largest rainforest ecosystem in Centre America;
- York University offers more than 500 courses that relate to environmental and sustainability studies;
- York University’s campuses offer 22 kilometres of walking paths and more than 200 gardens, including the 2,000-sq-ft Maloca Community Garden; and
- Water refill stations across the University’s campuses replaced disposable water bottles.
For more, read the York University Sustainability Report