Going Greener report highlights impressive work being done at McMaster

McMaster is one of several postsecondary institutions at the forefront of Ontario’s sustainability planning, says a new report from the Council of Ontario Universities’ (COU).

The Going Greener report, now in its sixth year, illustrates how universities such as McMaster are becoming more sustainable in their operations and policies surrounding food sustainability, conservation efforts, and the creation of partnerships that are building a greener community.

Click here to read the entire report

Patrick Deane, President of McMaster and chair of COU, says environmental sustainability is a top priority for Ontario universities, which are showing leadership in building a cleaner future for all Canadians.

“Our universities have demonstrated truly exceptional commitments to sustainability across critical areas — from expanding course offerings and innovative recycling programs, to furniture reuse and green building initiatives,” says Deane. “Their collective effort to protect and preserve our environment is impressive.”

McMaster’s 288-square-foot Teaching & Community Garden, managed by Facility Services and the Integrated Science (iSci) program, was a featured item in the report.

Located next to the General Science Building in the heart of campus, the space functions as a “working lab” for students and faculty. The garden focuses on local food sources and production, and also provides teaching and learning opportunities for the McMaster community.

Student volunteers maintain the garden and coordinate produce sales with the McMaster Farm Stand — a student-run non-profit farmer’s market that operates on campus.

The Teaching & Community Garden wasn’t the only resource highlighted in the COU report.

McMaster’s LED lighting retrofit in campus basements and corridors, which are lit 24/7 for safety purposes, was another item of note. LED tubes consume 25 to 40 per cent less power, and have higher life expectancy than traditional bulbs.

The lights were installed in approximately 30 buildings across campus, resulting in an estimated annual energy cost avoidance of $120,000 per year, as well as annual greenhouse gas emissions avoidance of 145 metric tonnes of CO2e.

The lighting overhaul has also resulted in significant costs savings on maintenance and improved lighting quality around campus.

McMaster’s 2014 Sustainability Annual Report highlights a number of other green initiatives at the University, including — 100 water bottle refill stations across campus, resulting in the equivalent of 3 million bottles being saved; low-flow shower heads at the David Braley Athletic Centre; the implementation of a broad waste reduction plan; and nine buildings that have received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification, with four more slated for certification.

Read the full 2014 Sustainability Annual Report

Beginning with a sustainability pledge in 2009, Ontario universities report annually on their environmental progress through a survey administered by COU. Included in the report are highlights from the 2013-14 Green Universities’ Survey, which reflects data from 22 campuses.

“Universities are teaming up with students, other members of their communities, municipal governments and local businesses to make positive changes,” says Bonnie M. Patterson, President and CEO of COU.

“They are growing academic programs, designing sustainable buildings, and expanding options for earth-friendly transit. There is increasing interest among students in attending ‘green’ universities and this report demonstrates not only the strides being made in going greener but also serves as a tool to share best practices to encourage future progress.”

A few provincial highlights from the COU report:

• More than 200 sustainability focused programs are offered by Ontario’s universities
• 41 per cent of university campuses have imposed a sales ban on bottled water
• 91 per cent of campuses offer discounted or free transit passes to students
• 77 per cent offer a car share station on campus
• 64 per cent offer a carpool or rideshare program
• 64 per cent offer a bike repair station
• 96 per cent of campuses have local food initiatives
• 86 per cent have a community or teaching garden
• 77 per cent have a farmer’s market on campus
• 73 per cent have implemented food donation initiatives