What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day?
Come find out how you can make your daily actions more sustainable.
| Photo by Concordia University
Concordia is committed to sustainability. But how much do you know about all the related projects happening on campus?
In 2008, the university was the first in Quebec to acquire an industrial composter, which has since diverted more than 450 tonnes of organic waste. Also, the university has “Electrobac” bins on both campuses to dispose of chargers, cables, small electronics and ink cartridges.
Of course, there is still room for improvement, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. The single largest contributor to landfill waste at Concordia is disposable coffee cups — adding sixty tons of waste to landfills each year. But while lids must go in the trash, the cups can now go in the recycling. The best solution, however, is to pick up a reusable Concordia coffee mug!
If you’d like to be a part of sustainability efforts on campus this Earth Day, April 22, come to the Green Space, a multi-purpose room dedicated to sustainability related-activities, located on the mezzanine of the Henry. F. Hall (H) Building, You’ll also have an opportunity to find out more about what’s being done to reduce waste sent to landfills.
And don’t forget to bring your old electronics with you. From April 21 to 23, you can drop off your large electronics, batteries and CFL bulbs at the Green Space to be disposed of safely.
Fair Trade U
In addition to reducing landfill waste, Concordia is committed to becoming a Fair Trade Campus, a certification offered to post-secondary institutions by the Canadian Fair Trade Network. On Earth Day, fair trade coffee and bananas will be handed out free of charge at the Green Space. Join the event on Facebook and bring your reusable mug (or you can purchase one at the event!).
The Concordia Greenhouse will also be on hand, selling their ever-popular greens and mushroom-growing kits. And as part of Concordia’s ongoing campaign to reduce waste, notebooks made from one-sided paper will be available.
Virtual trip to Gulu, Uganda
Come for the free coffee and bananas and you’ll also have a chance to learn about your fellow students’ experiences volunteering in Africa. The Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program (CVAP), a developmental organization that emphasizes experiential learning through volunteerism, is holding a photo exhibition on their work with the Gulu community.
While you’re at the Green Space on Earth Day, consider filling out a computer-based survey, developed by the Sustainability Team from Environmental Health and Safety, about Concordia’s efforts to become a more sustainable institution of higher education.
The 15 yes or no questions, covering such topics as waste management and purchasing policies, should only take about five minutes to complete.
Respondents have a chance to win a basket of surprises from Le Frigo Vert, an environmentally conscious food co-operative run by students, or a bicycle built at Right to Move — a non-profit bike shop located behind the Henry F. Hall Building.
Finally, keep your eyes peeled for the gang from the David O'Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise (DOCSE). They'll be handing out sunflower seedlings on the Sir George Williams Campus on Earth Day. Watch their Twitter feed @DOCSE for specific locations.
The Earth Day celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Green Space, located in Room H-224 on the Mezzanine of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.)
Find out about the Farmers’ Market at the Green Space.
Isabelle Mailhot-Leduc is the Sustainable Food System Coordinator.