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College Initiative: Green Move-Out from Rez 2017

Students living in Algonquin College Residence facilities are encouraged to be a part of a Green Move-Out from Rez as they pack up their belongings and head back home.

In 2016, it is estimated that the amount of items NOT sent to landfill was the approximate equivalent of the weight of a mid-sized car!






 

 

What did that look like?

 

Furniture – 51.7 KG
Food – 238.2 KG
Clothing – 405.7 KG
Misc Household – 609.33 KG
School Supplies – 85.3 KG

Total =1390.23 + 10% estimate for materials not weighed =1529.25 KG

All of these valuable items were put to good use!

Check out this video produced for the 2016 Dump & Run activities.

 

(NOTE: to compost left-over food items in 2017, please contact the front desk for instructions)

Groups leading initiative: Residence Life

For more information, contact:
Algonquin College Residence
613-727-7698
info@algonquinrez.ca

College Initiative: Ontario Food Survey

What do you think about the food at Algonquin’s Ottawa, Perth and Pembroke campuses? Would you like to see more sustainably-sourced, local food options offered at the various Algonquin’s Food Services locations?

Here is your opportunity to give your feedback and show your support for more local food options on campus.

Take the Ontario College Foodservices survey at: bit.ly/ONcollegefood. Tell us what you think about food on campus.

Would you like to see more local food options in the cafeteria?

What about Fair Trade or organic options?

Take 5!

The survey takes just 5 minutes to take. By taking this survey, you can advocate for more sustainable food options on campus.

This survey is sponsored by Mohawk College in partnership with the Greenbelt Fund. All survey results are confidential and anonymous. No personal information is collected. The survey is open to all Ontario college students. The survey will be open until January 27, 2016.

 

Group leading initiative: Multiple

For more information, contact:
Algonquin College
613-727-4723
info@algonquincollege.com

 

College Initiative: Sustainability Week @AC Spring 2016

sustainabilityDay2015With just two weeks to go before Earth Day, Algonquin College will put the spotlight on sustainability over five days at its Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth campus locations for a grassroots Sustainability Week.

From April 11-15 sustainability-themed activities will be popping up at various times and locations with a mix of informative, engaging and fun ways for employees to connect with work colleagues and for students to connect with their peers while sharing and exploring ideas on this important topic, practicing critical thinking skills and becoming empowered to take action.

Three key themes are surfacing as part of the week’s activities:

  1. You have power! As consumers (which we all are!) we have power in the decisions we make on a daily basis to impact a more sustainable future. Interact with student projects on Tuesday, April 12 to understand sustainability solutions, then take action and practice that power by trying out saying “no thanks” to plastic bags while shopping at Connections Store (Draw for a $10 Connections gift card every week in April!).
  2. Learn more and join the discussion! A new Algonquin-specific “Introduction to Sustainability” elearning module is now available. This online training program is fun, engaging and takes less than an hour to complete. Students who complete the module can record it as a co-curricular record activity. Employees who complete the module can earn their “Sustainable Algonquin” badge on myAC.
  3. Innovation for a prosperous future is all around us! Student projects on display on April 12 will showcase a wide array of sustainability solutions that are enabling society to overcome some of today’s pressing environmental and social issues. And on Applied Research Day, April 15 innovation and bright ideas will highlight new approaches being tested that will drive further sustainable growth in our local and global economy.

The week’s schedule of activities includes:cutleryset

Monday, April 11 10 am – 1 pm, Perth Campus: “Get ‘Badged’ and pick up “ecoswag”
Perth Commons and Student Association Office. Employees will be introduced to the “Introduction to Sustainability” elearning module to “Get ‘Badged’”, and students are invited to practice the three “Rs” (Reduce, Reuse Recycle) with their new reusable cutlery sets (aka “ecoswag”) that will be handed out.

Tuesday, April 12, 10 am – 3 pm, Woodroffe Campus: Sustainability Day
Student Commons, E building 1st Floor. Teams of students from Environmental Studies and the School of Business Communications II will share their class projects where they researched sustainability solutions in a sustainability fair format. Students are invited to vote for the ideas they like the best to be entered to win tentree t-shirts.
College employees are also invited to visit E building during lunch to find out how they can “Get ‘Badged’”, get involved in making this year’s move out of Residence “greener” and learn about getting involved in Algonquin’s very own community garden on campus.

Wednesday, April 13, 9:30-10:30, Woodroffe Campus: Q&A with Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May
Student Commons, E building 1st Floor, Corner Lounge (behind Starbucks). This event is organized by the Student Club, Earth Allies.

Thursday, April 14, 11:00-1:00 pm, Pembroke Campus: “Get ‘Badged’” and pick up “ecoswag”
Pembroke Commons. Students are invited to practice the three “Rs” (Reduce, Reuse Recycle) with their new reusable cutlery sets (“ecoswag”) that will be handed out, and learn about ways they can add sustainability involvement and activities to their co-curricular record.
Pembroke campus employees will be introduced to the “Introduction to Sustainability” elearning module in a Lunch and Learn from 12 – 1:00 pm. (Room 328)

Friday, April 15, 8:00am – 2:30 pm, Woodroffe Campus: Applied Research Day
Multiple locations. Applied Research Day is a special event that showcases the power of collaboration, partnerships, innovation, entrepreneurship and learning. Each year, the number of projects that embody sustainability thinking increases. Stay tuned to find out how many of this year’s projects can be seen as more evidence of Algonquin College’s role as an incubator for the green economy.

AND!

Look for special promotions in Connections April 11-15 (think reduce, reuse, recycle!) and when you say “no thanks” when asked if you would like a plastic bag to carry your purchases, you will be entered into a weekly draw for a Connections gift card!

solarovenGroup leading initiative: Multiple

For more information, contact:
Algonquin College
613-727-4723
info@algonquincollege.com

 

College Initiative: Blue Dot Campus Challenge 2016 Winners

 

David Sukuki from bluedot.org website

What is the Blue Dot campaign? Click on the image above for a video introduction.

A team effort has resulted in Algonquin College’s first win in the David Suzuki Foundation Blue Dot Campus Challenge!

In February and March, students from the student club Earth Allies, were joined by Environmental Studies professors as well as students in the General Arts and Science Year II Community Engagement course in hosting information tables across campus to get signatures on the Blue Dot petition.

At the close of the Blue Dot Campus Challenge, the team had secured 1032 signatures, more than any other 14 Canadian post-secondary educational institution competing in the challenge!

This success has earned these students the honour of a Skype call directly with David Suzuki where they asked their most burning questions relating to environmental policy in Canada.

Poster for Blue Dot Campaignblue dot campaign student canvassersblue dot campus challenge poster

 

 

 

 

The questions they posed to the elder statesman:

“Do you believe the new commitment and investment made by the federal government in the budget are steps in the right direction to afford the same environmental rights to those living on first nations and in northern communities as the rest of Canadians?”

“During your most recent interview with Peter Mansbridge, you said that the reason environmentalism has failed is because human beings have not fundamentally changed the way they see themselves in the world. Now, we realize that things have the potential to get much worse for us if inaction persists. With that being said, do you believe that enshrining environmental rights into the charter of rights and freedoms is an effective way to bring about change in the 21st century?”

bluedot event - Question 1

bluedot winnersbluedot classroomGroups leading initiative: Earth Allies Student Club, AC Green Team, General Arts and Science

For more information, contact:

Algonquin College
613-727-4723
info@algonquincollege.com

College Initiative: Sustainability Education Online Learning

 

Sustainability literacy for all

Sustainability literacy is a part of the Algonquin College experience for all students enrolled in Ontario College credential programs.

With the financial support of the Sustainability Education program from Siemens Canada, a new set of online learning tools is available to support incorporating sustainability education in an online and hybrid classroom environment.

The tools were developed to meet the specific need of conveying the sometimes complex topic of sustainability in a format that is accessible for a wide audience – students, employees and even those outside the immediate Algonquin College community.

Supporting the development process under Algonquin College’s Curriculum Services was a small advisory team comprised of representatives from Algonquin College administration, faculty, support staff and students.

Delivering on commitments

This initiative is another example of how Algonquin College continues to deliver on its commitment to ensure that sustainability is embedded in its culture, learning and operations.

These commitments were made when it signed the Talloires Declaration and the Colleges and Institutes Canada Pan Canadian Protocol for Sustainability.

The initial 1-hour module, Introduction to Sustainability, was released in January 2016 and will be piloted within academic programs. It is also available as part of professional development offerings. Additional supporting tools are being made available following the initial pilot.

Simple actions for sustainable algonquin video

Group leading initiative: Sustainable Algonquin Steering Committee

For more information, contact:
Algonquin College
613-727-4723
info@algonquincollege.com

College Initiative: AC Green Team

ACGreenTeamAC Green Leaders serve as educators in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach at Algonquin College. The AC Green Team is a select group of leaders who work to help share sustainability concepts and a sustainability ethic throughout the campus community. Being an AC Green Leader is a valuable learning experience for students that can deepen their understanding of sustainability while developing their outreach and education skills.

The AC Green Team started in the 2015-2016 academic year as a pilot program supported under the guidance of the Sustainable Algonquin Steering Committee. The initiative is a part of Algonquin College’s Sustainability Education program. Sustainability Education is financially supported by Algonquin College’s energy services provider, Siemens. Students that participate as volunteer leaders in this program will be eligible to add this to their co-curricular record.

By participating in a wide variety of outreach activities, as well as lending their own unique strengths in areas such as social media and connecting with their peers, AC Green Leaders will:

  • Educate students for sustainability
  • Create awareness of the Algonquin College sustainability vision of: Caring Today, For Tomorrow
  • Support energy awareness and energy conservation behaviours within student population
  • Support waste and recycling awareness and behaviour change within student population
  • Support responsible water consumption and reduced ecological impact within student population
  • Instill positive mindset relating to empowerment, innovation and change relating to climate change, social justice, biodiversity, community resilience issues

Applications for 2018-2019 Academic Year now being accepted

Students interested in volunteering 1-5 hours per week (October – March) are invited to submit an application to join the 2017-2018 AC Green Team.

To apply, please send the following to: ATTN: AC Green Team, sustainability@algonquincollege.com:

  1. Your Full Name, program of Study, Student ID, Availability (days & times)
  2. Provide brief answers to the following questions on why you want to be involved:
  • Why you want to be involved? (200 words max.)
  • The strengths you will bring to the team? (100 words max.)
  • What sustainability topics are you interested in? (100 words max.)
  • What you would like to get out of the program in the way of your skill and knowledge development? (100 words max.)

Groups leading initiative: Physical Resources and Sustainable Algonquin Steering Committee

For more information, contact:

Algonquin College
613-727-4723, ext 7710
sustainability@algonquincollege.com

College Initiative: AC Earth Day 2015

ED2015_banner-300-x-2502015 marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, celebrated on April 22 each year. The globally recognized day provides an annual point of focus for citizen around the world to reflect on the importance of the natural environment, its role in supporting human life and our responsibility to protect it.

For Earth Day 2015, Algonquin’s College Ancillary Services and Sustainable Algonquin invite all Algonquin College community members to seize the positive energy of springtime and this day. It is a busy time of year with students focused on exams, but never too busy to have a bit of fun and take advantage of some great ways to mark the day. Here is a sample of what is taking place:

Reduce waste!

  • Visit the Starbucks in the Student Commons building for your FREE brewed coffee when you bring your reusable mug.
  • Get your $.10 discount on hot beverages when you bring your reusable mug at Woodroffe campus locations

renewableenergybikeGet energy aware!

Visit Connections Campus Store between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to get a first hand (or foot) experience on how much energy is required to boil water. Tea anyone? Members from Siemens energy team, collaborating with Algonquin College for better energy performance will be on hand to talk energy with the renewable energy bicycle and hand out prizes for participants.

Reduce your GHG’s by cleaning up your commute!

Earth Day Canada to working to motivate action for commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. See how you can start by cleaning up your commute.

Make every day earth day!

Algonquin College tries to make every day Earth Day with its commitment to sustainability and following its Sustainability Strategy Framework. Earth Day Canada launches a new mobile platform on Earth Day 2015 to help all Canadians make Earth Day Every Day.

Top 3 Earth Day Tips for Students:

  1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator on campus or in your apartment building – the few minutes of exercise might be just what you need to stimulate circulation and prepare you for the next exam or study session (fewer greenhouse gas emissions with less electricity used too!)
  2. Follow @ACSustainable and join the conversation about #ACSustainability
  3. Wish someone “Happy Earth Day!” – guaranteed to make you smile!

Top 3 Earth Day Tips for Faculty & Staff:

  1. Give yourself a 10-minute Earth Day break to set up your work space to make it easy to “power down” at the end of every work day. Think about changing the location of your power bar so that you can easily reach it to ensure that monitors, speakers, headsets, personal printers and other electronics can be powered down with one button. (check out the amount of electricity, costs and greenhouse gas emissions are saved each year with 92% of staff doing this simple action every day – you may be surprised at how big of an impact results from such a simple action)
  2. Sign up for the terra20 and Algonquin College “Save for Change” program. Enjoy great choices for eco-friendly home and personal care items at this Ottawa-based retailer. The more you spend, the larger the fund for Ancillary Services to do more great work for better sustainability performance for the College
  3. Download the new Earth Day Every Day mobile app and plan how you can clean your commute with the many tips offered on this site.

Happy Earth Day!

Group leading initiative: Multiple Groups

For more information, contact:

Algonquin College
613-727-4723

info@algonquincollege.com

 

 

College Initiative: Unplugged Jam Session in Residence for Earth Hour 2015

earthhour2015In celebration of Earth Hour 2015, Algonquin College Residence is hosting an acoustic jam session “Drop the Mic” for students in Residence.

Students in Residence are invited to share their talents and enjoy some unplugged music and refreshments by the piano.

Also marking Earth Hour, Residence’s 35th Street Café will have its lights dimmed for the hour, March 28 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.

No candles are allowed in Residence of course, but students are invited to turn off their room lights and gather for this symbolic and globally-celebrated hour of energy awareness.

It is also a great time to reflect on the ways Algonquin College students can take steps to reduce their carbon footprints:

03_EH_60__LOGO_PRIMARY_CLR_JPEG

Be AC Sustainable!

Top 10 List

Reduce Your GHG Footprint

1. Turn it off! Turn off lights and electronics when not in use! (charge all mobile devices at night, too!)
2. Commute smart!Drive less: walk, car pool, use public transit, bike. Get some exercise too! (regular car maintenance, electric and hybrid cars are great steps too!)
3. Practice the 3 Rs!Reduce the items you need to purchase, Reuse and Recycle more!
4. Buy smart!Look for products with less packaging, from local sources, with and EnergyStar certification and with “eco” labels!
5. Use less hot water!Showers, laundry, washing dishes are all opportunities to save energy!
6. Practice Meatless Mondays!Consume less meat! More vegetarian and vegan meals dramatically reduces your carbon footprint!
7. Adjust your thermostat!Simply adjust your thermostat: up in the summer and down in the winter!
8. Take the stairs! Burn your own energy by taking the stairs instead of the elevator when possible!
9. Take back the tap!Use a reusable water bottle and drink clean, delicious, and refreshing tap water!
10. Spread the awareness! Get informed and share your knowledge and the positive steps you are taking for a healthier environment!

Group leading initiative: Residence

For more information, contact:

Algonquin College Residence and Conference Centre

613-727-7698

info@algonquinrez.ca

College Initiative: World Water Day 2015

woman at water refill stationIn conjunction with World Water Day (March 22nd) a twitter contest is being organized by S.E.A.T.S. (See Earth Action Team for Sustainability).

Students can participate by simply tweeting a photo of refilling a water bottle at one of the 30 refill stations at the Woodroffe campus or the Perth and Pembroke campuses.

To win, students will need to be following @ACSustainable, of course! Different prizes will be available to win over five days: March 23-27. (just after March 22, World Water Day and just before March 28, the day the world practices Earth Hour)

Check this list of water facts below, get #WaterAware and understand how water and climate are linked!woman smiling at water refill station

This campaign is aimed at promoting the responsible use of our water! Over 1 billion people don’t have access to clean water and are in need of support for affordable and accessible public water systems.

Water Facts:

  • Every year 300-500 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and other wastes contaminate the world’s freshwater supply.
  • Over 1 billion people don’t have access to clean water.
    A 1 litre plastic bottle requires 3 – 5 litres of water to produce it. This is causing water shortages near bottling plants.
  • No touch water fill-ups reduce the spread of colds and flus. Refrigerated Bottle Filling Stations supply chilled, filtered, water from a no-touch bottle filling area.
  • Transporting bottled water across hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles spews carbon dioxide into the air and contributes to climate change.
  • Our landfills cannot support bottled water. 50 – 80% of plastic water bottles end up in landfills.30 billion plastic water bottles are thrown away every year. Plastic bottles take 400 to 1000 years for plastic bottles to decompose.
  • Plastic bottles are collecting in big patches in our oceans. As they degrade, smaller pieces are being ingested by many aquatic animals causing them harm or death.
  • Tap water guidelines are more stringent and thorough than any regulations for bottled water. A water bottling plant is inspected every 12 to 18 months. Public tap water is tested every 4 to 6 hours.
  • The plastic bottles themselves contain chemicals that can leach out and contaminate the water. Exposure to extremely low doses of bisphenol A is strongly linked to diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and diabetes, and to reproductive and neurological development.
  • The making of bottles and caps, the filling and packaging, the transportation, and the disposal of plastic water bottles uses enormous amounts of energy, burns fossil fuels and creates greenhouse gases.
  • Water is a Human Right! The human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses.

example of type of image to tweet filling water at water refill station
Group leading initiative: See Earth Action Team for Sustainability

For more information, contact:

Kathryn Reilander, Algonquin College
613-727-4723
reilank@algonquincollege.com

College Initiative: Practicing the 3Rs with College Social Events

Recycle for AC Family Day January 2015The AC Family Fun Day, Winter Wonderland Edition, on Saturday, January 24 continues to incorporate sustainability practices into event planning. College community members are asked to collect “trash” to turn into treasures for two activities at the event.

For a dream-catcher craft activity, ribbons, garlands, and other special items from Holiday unwrapping, Christmas crackers and unwanted decorations are needed.

As well, yogurt containers (600-750 ml size) with lids will be helpful for a children’s activity that incorporates natural science, butterfly habitats and biodiversity concepts.

Items can be dropped off the first week of January in room C 514.

 

Recycle. Drop off at C 514

 

 

Groups leading initiative: College Social Committee

For more information, contact:

Algonquin College
613-727-4723

 

College Initiative: 2014 Annual Power Down

Power Down Poster 2014As the College-wide annual holiday shut down period approaches, all Algonquin staff and faculty are asked to help reduce wasted resources and literally “disconnect” for a relaxing and energy-conserving break.

From an energy audit last year, the College’s energy management team found that when 92% of employees power off computers and monitors every night, the College can save $44,000 annually. (see the full story here)

In the weeks before leaving the office for vacation, employees are asked to practice a new nightly routine of turning off an additional power-using device within work spaces and offices.

An online checklist is available as a guide for individuals to identify what can be powered down. All Algonquin College employees using the checklist will be entered into a draw for a wireless solar cell phone charger and speaker system.

New this year! – Team Participation Prize!

Departmental and office teams are encouraged to work collectively to meet or exceed last year’s performance of 92% of employees turning off computers.

Teams will have an opportunity to win a group prize as well as showcase their “exemplary” results of their team remembering to power down computers, monitors, printers, etc. at the January 8 Welcome Back Coffee Break and Energy Conservation Information session.

This initiative is part of the ESCO2 project with Siemens and supports Algonquin’s Sustainability Strategy Framework goals, in particular: Economic – Institutionalize Sustainability; Pursue Economic Strength, Environmental – Reduce our Ecological Footprint.

Groups leading initiative: Physical Resources and Sustainable Algonquin Steering Committee

For more information, contact:

Algonquin College
613-727-4723, ext 7710
7710@algonquincollege.com

College Initiative: Years of Living Dangerously docu-series screenings

years-of-living-dangerously-poster1-225x300Students connecting to “Years” project

The Years of Living Dangerously Project is underway and all Algonquin students will want to participate in one or more of the scheduled events taking place during the school year.

What: Movie screenings of a nine-part Emmy-winning documentary series and related activities at the College. Detailed information at: www.algonquincollege.com/years

When: October 31, 12-1:30 pm, November 18, 3-4:30 pm, December 2, 3-4:30 pm (Fall screening dates)

Special events:

Oct 31, 1:15 pm following Episode 1 screening, Skype interview with Canadian climate scientist, Katherine Hayhoe

Nov 18:, 4:15 pm, following Episode 2 screening, a Skype Q&A session with a Snake River Hotshot firefighter who is featured in this episode.

Where: AC Hub, Student Commons, E 217

Why: The project will increase awareness and understanding of one of the most important topics of our time, climate change. This is an opportunity for students to get the facts, understand the issues, apply critical thinking and exercise leadership skills. (Free refreshments and a chance to meet one of the Hollywood stars involved in the project as well!)

How to register: https://www.algonquincollege.com/years/events/

How to get involved: Attend movie screenings, use social media, get involved in sustainability-related Student Clubs on campus

 

Faculty members linking “Years” project to curriculum

Faculty members are encouraged to leverage this year-long project, and its content relating to sustainability, internationalization and climate change as a means to meet the new Sustainability and Internationalization Vocation Learning Outcome this is required in all Ontario Credentials programs.

Poster for Years of Living Dangerously episode 2 screening. Poster designed by students integrating this project into their course work.

Poster for Years of Living Dangerously episode 2 screening. Poster designed by students integrating this project into their course work.

Throughout the year, all nine episodes of this Emmy award-winning ShowTime documentary series will be screened in the AC Hub (E217). Details on the first three screenings are below:

Episode 1: October 31 12:00pm – 1:30pm. Episode stars Harrison Ford and Don Cheadle. Following the screening, a 15 minute Skype interview with Katharine Hayhoe, a Canadian climate scientist appearing in episode 1 will take place for students to speak directly with a climate expert.

Episode 2 November 18 3:00pm – 4:30pm. Episode stars Harrison Ford and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Following the screening, a Skype Q&A session with a Snake River Hotshot firefighter who is featured in this episode will take place for students to hear directly from those experiencing unexpected results from changes in climate.

Episode 3 December 2 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Free refreshments for everyone who registers via EventBrite at: www.algonquincollege.com/years/events/

Any faculty member with an interest in developing curriculum around this series is encouraged to contact project lead, Jay Smith, smithj4@algonquincollege.com.

YLD_post

Additional information about this project, and in particular the project’s culminating event, planned for April 2015 and featuring one of the Hollywood stars from the episode will be announced.

Group leading initiative: See Earth Action Team for Sustainability

For more information, contact:

Jay Smith, Algonquin College
613-727-4723
smithj4@algonquincollege.com

College Initiative: On Campus Farm Store

Fresh, locally-grown food can be found on the Algonquin College Woodroffe campus all summer long. The Horticulture Industries program runs its Horticulture Store every Tuesday and Friday from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the summer months, except for a two-week period in July, as one set of students enrolled in the 2-year program (compressed into 16-months) transitions to another group of students.

The fresh-picked and organically-grown harvest changes week-by-week as vegetables and herbs come into season. Annual and perennial plants and shrubs from the nursery are also available for those interested in adding to their own gardens.

Visitors to the Horticulture Store can also enjoy a stroll through the College’s horticulture display gardens before or after filling their baskets with fresh, locally-grown produce and herbs.

When: May-October, Tuesdays and Fridays, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Where: Algonquin College Woodroffe campus, College Avenue, M Building parking lot
Information about the Horticulture Industries program is available at through the School of Media & Design.

For more information, contact:
Steve Neumann, Algonquin College
613-727-4723 ext. 7034
neumans@algonquincollege.com

College Initiative: Earth Day 2014

Make it Count for Earth Day is the theme for Earth Day Canada - #MIC4ED

Make it Count for Earth Day is the theme for Earth Day Canada – #MIC4ED

Started in 1970, and taking place on April 22 each year, Earth Day is a globally recognized day to reflect on the importance of the natural environment, its role in supporting human life and our responsibility to protect it.

For Earth Day 2014, Sustainable Algonquin invites all Algonquin College community members to seize the positive energy of springtime and this day. Here are suggestions for simple things to mark the day:



Top 3 Earth Day Tips for Students:

  1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator on campus or in your apartment building – the few minutes of exercise might be just what you need to stimulate circulation and prepare you for the next exam or study session (fewer greenhouse gas emissions with less electricity used too!)
  2. Follow @ACSustainable and look for a tweet on Tuesday, April 22 that you can “retweet to win” – a trendy and eco-friendly messenger bag provided by Connections (Congrats to our prize winners!)
    Onyx Green Messenger Bag is the prize for Earth Day student "retweets" from @ACSustainable

    Onyx Green Messenger Bag is the prize for Earth Day student “retweets” from @ACSustainable

  3. Wish someone “Happy Earth Day!” – guaranteed to make you smile!

Top 3 Earth Day Tips for Faculty & Staff:

  1. Give yourself a 10-minute Earth Day break to set up your work space to make it easy to “power down” at the end of every work day. Think about changing the location of your power bar so that you can easily reach it to ensure that monitors, speakers, headsets, personal printers and other electronics can be powered down with one button. (check out the amount of electricity, costs and greenhouse gas emissions are saved each year with 92% of staff doing this simple action every day – you may be surprised at how big of an impact results from such a simple action)
  2. Sign up for the terra20 and Algonquin College “Save for Change” program. Enjoy great choices for eco-friendly home and personal care items at this Ottawa-based retailer. The more you spend, the larger the fund for Ancillary Services to do more great work for better sustainability performance for the College
  3. Save some money, electricity and greenhouse gas emissions with your home electricity use – take advantage of the Ontario Power Authority Save on Energy coupon event. Don’t delay – these great offers are good until Sunday, April 27!

Make it Count for Earth Day and Earth Month

The 2014 Earth Month campaign focuses on 4 action categories – EAT, GROW, TRANSFORM and SHARE. The website http://makeitcount.earthday.ca/ has more information and opportunities to make your commitments. Using #MIC4ED in social media is another way to share individual actions you take for the environment and to compare with friends, colleagues and other people across the country.

Happy Earth Day!

College Initiative: 2014 Ottawa Campus Sustainability Week

Sustainability Week 2014 PosterThe 2014 Algonquin College Ottawa campus Sustainability Week is five days of grassroots sustainability-related activities designed to raise awareness, educate on important topics and motivate sustainability action in areas of: energy conservation, climate change, waste, social entrepreneurship, water security, divestment from fossil fuels, ecological impacts of personal care products, biodiversity, sustainable purchasing, innovation, green buildings and communities and more!

Monday, April 7, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Woodroffe, D Building Marketplace, Salon A – Free FairTrade coffee if you bring your mug, free popcorn & prizes! (forgot to bring your reusable mug? This is the perfect time to visit Connections and pick up your AC swag! Visit the store and check out the Sustainability Week specials!)

  • 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – “Best of” Sustainability Videos Marathon
  • 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Student Sustainability Club hosts “Do the Math” from 350.org
  • 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Sustainability Fair – see student projects, provide your input on College sustainability projects, meet College and community sustainability leaders and more!
  • 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – “In the Community” presentations – learn about sustainability projects in Ottawa – for students, staff and faculty
    • Saving for Change Program with terra20 – find out how you can save money while living a healthier, more sustainable life, AND benefit College sustainability initiatives led through Ancillary Services
    • Ottawa Renewable Energy Coop – learn about this local initiative to put more solar photovoltaic panels on more Ottawa rooftops and how you can participate through your RRSP savings
    • Ottawa Centre EcoDistrict – What is an ecodistrict? What is the project underway in downtown Ottawa? How can Algonquin College students get involved? This is your chance to get those questions answered!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014, E & D Building, Woodroffe

  • 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Water Awareness presented by See Earth Action Team for Sustainability and Student Sustainability Club
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Savoir Fare and Run for Biodiversity invite you to purchase African culinary specialties and support the Algonquin Team running and walking for biodiversity

Wednesday, April 9, 2014 Woodroffe

As part of Sustainability Week, on Wednesday, April 9 General Arts and Science Approaches to Sustainability hosts information displays in Student Commons

As part of Sustainability Week, on Wednesday, April 9 General Arts and Science Approaches to Sustainability hosts information displays in Student Commons

Thursday, April 10, 2014, Woodroffe

  • 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch and Learn on Creating our Green Office Program ( Rosser Boardroom, RSVP required – for staff and faculty)
  • 1:30 p.m. The Isles project – site visit departure (for faculty and staff)
  • All Day! – Visit the Library and vote for sustainability projects that you think are worthwhile to bring to the attention of the Student Association and the Sustainable Algonquin Steering Committee for consideration – Pick up your “thank you” for voting at the Library desk (cool reusable cutlery set provided by Algonquin’s energy services provider, Siemens)
  • All Day! – Visit Savoir Fare and pick up your “Dirty Duck” Soap – a perfect example of sustainability in the curriculum and cradle-to-cradle thinking

Friday, April 11, 2014, Woodroffe, Applied Research Day

All week:

  • Visit Connections for in-store promotions, including 30% reusable drink-ware, must-read books and tea served in reusable mugs.
  • Remember to bring your reusable mug when purchasing hot beverages… save $.10 each time!
  • Visit the Library and vote for sustainability projects that you think are worthwhile to bring to the attention of the Student Association and the Sustainable Algonquin Steering Committee for consideration

Follow @ACSustainable for more program details!

Memo Sustainbility Week Participation 2014

Date:

March 24, 2014

From:

Jo-Ann Aubut, Dean, Academic Development John Tattersall, Director, Physical Resources (Co-Chairs of the Sustainable Algonquin Steering Committee – SASC)
To: Woodroffe Campus Community
Subject: Invitation to Participate in a “Grassroots” Ottawa Campus Sustainability Week April 7-11, 2014

The Sustainable Algonquin Steering Committee (SASC) is interested in hearing from individuals wanting to participate in this year’s informal and very “grassroots” Ottawa Campus Sustainability Week from April 7 to 11.

The week provides a forum for sharing the many sustainability initiatives taking place within classrooms and within operations at the College.

Grassroots Campus Sustainability Day events are also planned for the Perth and Pembroke Campuses. Students at the Perth Campus have organized events for Thursday, April 3 (10 am – 1 pm). In Pembroke, students in the Outdoor Adventure Naturalist program are organizing events to take place on Thursday, April 18.

These grassroots events are opportunities to continue to build awareness about sustainability and its relevance at the College, while demonstrating our pride in the steps taken on our journey toward a Sustainable Algonquin, and in advancing efforts to embed sustainability into the curriculum, culture and operations of the College.

To get an idea of the activities already planned, please visit the Sustainable Algonquin website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/sustainability/?p=850. SASC is eager to learn of other projects/initiatives that College community members would like to showcase and share with the Ottawa Campus community anytime during the April 7-11 week.

To participate, contact the College’s Sustainability Coordinator, Sarah Dehler (dehlers@algonquincollege.com) to identify your interest in sharing your project/initiative via an email by March 31.

Additional notices will be sent once the week’s schedule of activities is finalized.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you.