Sustainability Office
Your hub for sustainability on the St. George campus.
Sustainable Students
Sustainable Students program
The Sustainability Office, along with Facilities & Services, has consulted with students, faculty, and staff to create a comprehensive guide with program highlights, best practices, and resources for sustainable student lifestyles.
We encourage U of T students to complete a lifestyle survey and receive a sustainability certification badge. This virtual credential is a way to showcase your commitment to a sustainable lifestyle and encourage others to do the same.
The certification form is divided into six sections:
- Energy conservation and water conservation
- Food
- Waste management and reduction
- Purchasing
- Transportation
- Individual culture and lifestyle
Ready to get certified?
Have you reviewed the steps above and are ready to get certified? Click the button below to start.
Get inspired from others!
Who can certify?
Any U of T student may participate in the Sustainable Student program.
Certification
20–45% of available points scored
46–65% of available points scored
66–84% of available points scored
85% + of available points scored
Getting started
Before starting the certification process, review the following list. You will be asked about your lifestyle choices in the following categories:
- Are your energy-consuming devices turned off when not being actively used?
- Do your light fixtures use LED bulbs, and are they kept off when natural lighting is sufficient or the room is empty?
- Is your energy use shifted to off-peak hours as much as possible?
- Is your energy use minimized as much as possible?
- Do you prioritize plant-based foods and limit consumption of animal products?
- Do you work to minimize food waste?
- Are you careful to avoid food packaging waste where possible?
- Do you make an effort to purchase organic, local, and fair trade certified foods when possible?
- Do you follow the 4 Rs (refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle) and properly sort your waste?
- Do you use reusable products instead of disposables?
- Do you repair your possessions when they are broken, and donate items that are no longer needed?
- Do you properly dispose of special items (e.g. electronics and hazardous waste)?
- Do you avoid purchasing single-use items?
- Do you make an effort to purchase environmentally-friendly items and products, when a less sustainable option exists?
- Do you prioritize supporting secondhand, small, and local businesses?
- Do you walk, bike, and take public transit, rather than driving?
- Do you consider the impact of air travel and reduce your own flying where possible?
- Do you make an effort to share sustainable lifestyle habits with others?
- Do you make an effort to practice active living and mindfulness?
- Do you participate in sustainability-related clubs and organizations?
Need more information on how to make your life more sustainable? Check out the Resources page for tips, information, and best practices.
Sustainable Students living best practices
- Invest in a water filter and reusable water bottle.
- Use power strips to plug in all electronics.
- Shut off and unplug electronics when not in use.
- Run washing machine with a full load and during off-peak hours.
- Purchase non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners and laundry detergent.
- Use wool balls instead of dryer sheets.
- Purchase a clothing line or rack to hang wet laundry.
- Choose food options with minimal or no packaging.
- Ask for no cutlery/sauce packets when ordering takeout.
- Pack a reusable straw and cutlery set in your bag before leaving home.
- Try borrowing or renting before buying.
- Considering biking, walking, or using public transportation before using a personal vehicle.
- Speak with roommates and floormates about sustainable lifestyle tips.
- Open windows on cool evenings instead of running air conditioning.
- Bundle up before raising the thermostat.
- Close the windows when the furnace or air conditioning are running.
- Ensure windows and doors are sealed to reduce drafts and heat escape.
- Conduct bi-annual/annual fridge/freezer clear outs.
- Purchase Energy Star-certified appliances.
- Close blinds and curtains in rooms that are not in use.
- Organize a carpool schedule with other commuters.
Resources
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.
General
Thermostat replacement: https://www.hydroone.com/saving-money-and-energy/residential/smart-thermostat
Appliance guide: https://www.hydroone.com/saving-money-and-energy/residential/tips-and-tools/appliances
TRCA home and garden resources: https://trca.ca/get-involved/home-garden/
How to help native pollinators: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/live-green-toronto/tips-to-create-a-pollinator-friendly-garden/
Lifestyle
Farmers Market Ontario: https://www.farmersmarketsontario.com/
Sustainability events in Toronto: https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada–toronto/sustainability-events/
Low Waste
Repair Café: https://repaircafetoronto.ca/
Energy conservation
Complete guide for energy conservation: https://paylesspower.com/blog/vampire-energy/
Carbon footprint calculator: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/
Waste disposal
Hazardous waste Disposal – Toronto: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/household-hazardous-waste/
Hazardous waste disposal – Region of Peel: https://www.peelregion.ca/waste/community-recycling-centres/
Waste wizard – Toronto Region: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/waste-wizard/
How to sort waste – Region of Peel: https://www.peelregion.ca/scripts/waste/how-to-sort-your-waste.pl
On-campus sustainability
Sustainability Student Group Inventory: https://sustainability.utoronto.ca/resources/inventories/student-group-inventory/?page_id=1209
Sustainability Week: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/mscsm/mscsm-news-events/special-events/sustainability-week
Sustainability campus map and resources: https://www.fs.utoronto.ca/SustainabilityOffice/Resources/StudentGroups
Compost bins available for on-campus dining:
- Bahen Centre
- Koffler Multi-Faith Centre
- I.S.E
- Sidney Smith
- Gerstein Library
- Koffler Student Centre
- Robarts
- Sylvester’s café at Graduate Student Union
- Innis College
- Medical Sciences
- Rotman
- Woodsworth College
Get certified!
Ready to get certified? Follow these easy steps!
- Review the program overview, highlights, and resources
- Click the ‘Get Certified’ button below
- Sign in using your UTORid to launch certification form and follow the instructions
- Submit the form and await review and confirmation from the Sustainability Office
- Receive your certificate package (certificate, badge, and quick resource guide)
- Review your results and program resources to improve your score next year!
- Please complete the form in one session, as progress cannot be saved. We recommend you use a laptop or desktop to complete the form.
Note: Certifications are valid for one year, and the program will be updated and improved annually to ensure continued alignment with sustainability best practices.
