waste centralization program

climate action and waste management at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜

thunder bay

on the heels of lakehead's year of climate action (yoca) and in accordance with our sustainability plan (2019-2024), lakehead will be transitioning to a centralized and standardized waste management system on the thunder bay campus during reading week - february 20-24.

currently, our campus has many stand-alone garbage bins that do not offer users the full range of recycling options to help us minimize waste. by increasing our recycling rates and sorting items correctly to reduce contamination, we can do our part toward combating climate change.

with the support of the office of sustainability, physical plant, and the sustainability stewardship council at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 , our new waste centralization program aims to reduce the amount of waste generated on campus that contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

when waste breaks down in a landfill, it releases methane and other greenhouse gases that are rapidly warming the planet - which is why one of the goals of lakehead's sustainability plan is to reduce the amount of recyclables ending up in landfills and incinerators.

"it's imperative that we all play a role in slowing climate change by preventing recyclable materials from ending up in the landfill," says hugh briggs, director of physical plant at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 .

our forthcoming waste centralization and standardization program will enable lakehead to minimize the amount of waste sent to the landfill, while increasing the correct sorting of recycling to ensure that those items can ultimately be accepted for recycling and contribute to a circular economy.

"the clock is ticking - we must act now to preserve the planet for future generations, before it's too late," adds devon lee, lakehead's sustainability coordinator.

阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 is committed to reducing the amount of waste generated on campus. but we can't do it alone.

we need your help!

how will our new waste centralization program reduce waste?

• new centralized sorters will be placed in convenient locations throughout campus hallways. there will be greater consistency amongst bin types, colours, and placement, and new educational signage will give textual and visual information on the proper sorting of common items.
• at each centralized sorter, you will now have the full range of recycling and waste options that we currently offer: containers, paper, and landfill/garbage.
• all waste will now be disposed of at a centralized sorter instead of in classrooms and offices. these locations currently do not have the full range of recycling options and lack adequate signage and labelling, which results in needlessly sending recyclable items to the landfill. office bins alone use over 25,500 single-use plastic liners per year!
• in any location where a bin is removed, a sign will be placed letting users know that we have transitioned to a centralized waste management system and that a sorting centre is located in a hallway nearby. office users will receive a postcard explaining the program, with a convenient sorting guide on the back for reference. in addition, office users will retain an unlined blue bin that can serve as a collection point for bringing items to the centralized sorting locations.

what is not changing?

garbage bins and collection will remain in labs, kitchen areas, boardrooms, cafeterias, and residence halls. some of these areas (such as the cafeteria) will receive enhanced signage to direct users to the appropriate waste or recycling stream.

a more climate-friendly campus starts with you. thank you for helping to reduce waste, maximize recycling, and lower contamination rates by correctly sorting your recycling and waste.

faq

1. my garbage bin is being removed under the waste diversion program. what are we supposed to do with non-recyclable materials or garbage waste at our desk or offices?

the waste diversion program is designed to best streamline all materials to recycle bins and landfill garbage bins. recycling bins will still be available in all office spaces for storage and transport of all materials to the waste/recycling depots located around all campus buildings.

at the waste/recycling depots, materials can be sorted for recycling or waste/landfill according to the materials and clearly identified sorting bins.

please forward any questions or comments about the new waste centralization program to wastecentralization@lakeheadu.ca.