Building connections: how the Sustainability Office is engaging the community this fall
The University of Toronto’s Sustainability Office (SO) works tirelessly to integrate sustainability into the daily lives of students, faculty and staff. Through a series of outreach initiatives this fall, the SO is bringing an active culture of environmental responsibility across campus and to your door.
Staying committed: programs for all
There are a wide range of programs offered by the Sustainability Office to engage U of T community members.
One of these is the Sustainable Change Program. The initiative empowers students, staff and faculty to carry out sustainable practices in offices, labs, residences, at events and in courses through a self-assessment certification process.
Sustainability Coordinator Kaitlyn Myles explains: “Our goal is to make sustainability a part of the daily lives of U of T community members,” she says. “We are focused on creating lasting habits and cultivating a passion for positive change-making.”
For lab users, certification provides the tools they need to create sustainable behaviours within and beyond lab settings by reviewing things like energy and waste management. Office certification asks applicants to consider their food and dining habits, supply procurement, transportation and more.
Those who complete the certification process will receive a digital copy of their certificate and badge (or ribbon) and will be recognized on the leaderboard of participants.
Here to help: student sustainable ambassadors
Other initiatives include the Student Sustainable Ambassador Program, where participants make hands-on contributions to U of T’s sustainability mission.
The ambassadors have been busy this Orientation season, appearing at events across campus. “Orientation week is a pivotal time for us to engage with everyone,” explains Myles. “This is our chance to introduce our community to the SO’s resources, showcase the many ways they can contribute to a greener campus and build a sense of shared responsibility for sustainability.”
Are you hosting an event on campus? Student sustainable ambassadors are here to help keep things green with booth support, social media promotion, waste sorting and more! They were a vital part of the success of the OREP BBQ this year, diligently sorting waste and assisting attendees with their trash. Get help from a student sustainable ambassador today!
Follow along on social media
Beyond in-person events during orientation, social media is an important tool to connect students, staff and faculty with the Sustainability Office.
Over the summer, the SO’s account published informative and fun content that covered a wide range of relevant topics, from explaining deep energy retrofits to single-use plastic alternatives.
Follow @ SustainableUofT on Instagram for contests and giveaways, tips for living sustainably and information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, including a follow-up to July’s successful community clean-up event.
By fostering this community-wide approach to sustainability, the University is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also preparing its students to be responsible global citizens. “We’re not just telling people about sustainability,” states Myles. “We’re giving our community the tools and opportunities to actively participate in creating a more sustainable campus.”