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2023

Waterloo Hosted the Together | Ensemble Conference: a free, virtual conference devoted to tracking progress on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainability Office and Grounds hosted two tree plantings: As part of campus naturalization efforts, 45 volunteers (staff, faculty, and students) planted a variety of native and ecologically appropriate species across parts of main and North campus, including 200 trees/shrubs and 200 wildflowers. These plants now populate land recently cleared of invasive species and will provide important habitat for local pollinators and wildlife.

2022

The Housing Team implemented the Move-in, Move-out Program: Involved the redistribution & recycling of unfinished products and items. Through this initiative, 11,000 tonnes of waste was repurposed. They also launched an internal incentive for EV fleet lighter duty vehicles such as gator golf carts.

Relaunched eco-container, eco-mug program (lots of single-use cups): Reusable takeout containers for all resident dining halls. 20,000 uses/month pre-pandemic.

Initiated a project to install faucet aerators: installed on most sinks across campus and retrofit showerheads in Campus Housing to lower-flow fixtures.

2021

Waterloo received funding through the NRCAN ZEVIP program to expand 15 new electric vehicle charging stations on campus.

Waterloo completed construction on and opened for use the secure bike cage between EV3 and ML.

2020

retained WalterFedy to conduct a campus-wide energy audit of all University buildings covering more than 7 million square feet of audited space. Their engineering team developed utility use profiles for all campus buildings, conducted a benchmarking exercise, and identified energy conservation measures for each facility. This project identified over 900 energy savings opportunities, which will be prioritized and scheduled for implementation toward their Shift: Neutral climate action plan’s 2025 carbon target.

2019

Increased Fair Trade purchases, and received Fair Trade Campus designation​.

2018

Received the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) Silver Rating.

2017

Lighting Upgrade: A large scale lighting upgrade was conducted in the Physical Activities Complex, upgrading the lighting to LED and high efficiency fluorescent bulbs – for energy savings and improved lighting in the area. There is now the option of dimming and motion sensors have been installed.

Sustainability layer on Campus Map: added to campus map e.g. water bottle refill stations , battery drop off locations, car share parking spots, secure bike parking locations, book drop offs, green spaces or green roofs.

Bike Share Stations Installation: 3 Community Access Bike stations were installed with smart locks on campus, in partnership with city of Waterloo.

2016

Lighting Audit: A campus wide lighting audit was conducted in order to identify the best areas to implement changes. As a result, a lighting retrofitting project was conducted and reduced energy use by 1 megawatt.

Waste Signage: Research was conducted on campus to identify why people would not recycle, and inconsistent signage proved to be a factor. As a result, signage was simplifies and placed in key areas.

2015

Lighting Retrofit: Upgraded T12 light bulbs to high-efficiency T8 bulbs for over 300 light fixtures. This created annual savings of 61,000 KwH with an approximate 2.5 year payback.

Building Lighting Upgrade: Upgrade T8 & T12 fixtures to LED fixtures and bulbs, saving 401,000 KwH/yr with approximately an 8.5 year payback.

Waste: Collection of organic wastes from select offices and purchased a second composting unit. Cost of $10 000 for a digester and an additional $10 000 for the composting unit.

2014

Hired a Sustainability Coordinator: This position was created to support all campus groups who are implementing sustainability programs and policies. As well as provide administrative support to the creation of a Sustainability Advisory Committee.

2013

Hired an Energy Manager: The Energy Manager is responsible for supporting further energy projects going forward.

2012

All new development lands at main campus are storm water management self sufficient.

All fall leaves are composted on site rather than landfilled.

Naturalization of Laurel Creek Corridor.