Not only is it Campus Sustainability Month, it’s also Circular Economy Month, which celebrates efforts to reuse existing materials as long as possible. Two new initiatives at York University are encouraging community members to uphold the principles of circularity and advance the University's goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
York has recently entered into a partnership with Call2Recycle, Canada’s largest battery recycling program, which has recycled over 11 million kilograms of batteries.
Through the partnership, the University has installed battery bins across campuses, with exact locations available through the Interactive Campus Map. This initiative allows the York U community to safely recycle household batteries, which can create environmental damage if they end up in landfills, releasing toxic chemicals that seep into soil and harm ecosystems.
The Call2Recycle bins ensure batteries stay out of landfills and allow valuable materials to be recovered from them, giving batteries a new life through the creation of new products and reducing overall resource needs.
Call2Recycle has also provided sponsorship for the launch of the Sustainability Champions program at York, which will call on volunteers to help transform the University into a more sustainable institution. Focusing on themes of waste, mindful consumption and recycling on campus, the program's aim is to advance conversations around sustainability between students and staff. It will also bring awareness to the University Academic Plan 2020-2025 and to University-wide efforts to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Another part of the Sustainability Champions program is the Zero Waste Lions, a student-driven initiative designed to promote the principles of circularity and the waste management hierarchy to the York community.
This project – a collaboration with the Circular Innovation Hub (previously known as the Waste Wiki) – is designed to encourage peer-to-peer engagement on issues related to sustainable waste management. In the process, students will be able to directly engage in meaningful conversation about how waste is being managed on campus, including highlighting existing initiatives such as the Friendlier reusable container program in York U cafeterias and dining halls and the newly installed battery bins from Call2Recycle.
Beyond being representatives of the mission of the Office of Sustainability, the network of Sustainability Champions will serve as peer mentors to students on campus. As they lead projects, educate others and advocate for stronger sustainable lifestyles, the Sustainability Champions will also be building valuable leadership, relationship, communication and presentation skills.
Together, the Call2Recycle and Sustainability Champions initiatives are reflective of York University’s commitment to broaden sustainability initiatives and programs and advance campus sustenance.
Those interested in becoming part of the Sustainability Champions team are encouraged to sign up.