Sustainability in Residence
Residents and staff of SFU Residence and Housing have the opportunity to take steps to become more sustainable. In fact, many have done so already!
Things you can do:
How to reduce your waste in Residence
1. Join the campus-wide containers program and swap Styrofoam for a reusable plastic container at all Chartwells and Renaissance locations.
2. Bring a travel mug and save $0.25 on your coffee or tea at all Chartwells and Renaissance locations.
3. Fill up your water bottle! Visit the WaterfillzTM stations in the dining hall, or South AQ to fill up with filtered water.
4. Check out the Attic, Residence’s thrift shop, for new kitchen and room items, clothes and more!
5. Check before you print. Are you using double sides? Do you really need to print your document?
How to reduce your water consumption in Residence
Turn off the tap: When you brush your teeth, while lathering your hands when washing, and while shaving
Try shorter showers. Can you shower in 5 minutes?
Don’t run a load of laundry unless it is full.
Run a sink of soapy water to do dishes instead of letting the tap run.
Where can you find sustainable food on campus?
1. SFU Pocket Market takes place every Wednesday from April- October at Cornerstone. Find local fruits, vegetables, bread, and more.
2. SFU Harvest Box is a delivery service that provides fresh local produce, delivered to campus bi-weekly. Check out http://sfulocalfood.ca/sfu-harvest-box for more info!
3. Nature’s Garden café at Cornerstone features organic and fair trade coffee and snacks.
Composting Program
What is compost?
Compost is the process of exposing organic waste (vegetables, fruits, meats, grains, etc.) to sunlight and oxygen to facilitate decomposition and render the waste into soil.
Why compost?
Over 40% of daily waste can be composted! Composting helps keep waste out of the landfills and produces an effective fertilizer for gardens.
How to compost:
1. Join the Residence compost program. Visit Madge Hogarth to sign up for the program, buy stainless steel buckets and/ biodegradable bags.
2. Compost your food waste across campus in the new waste depository systems.
3. Watch the video below!
Things that Residence and Housing has done:
- Containers Program: Developed an opt-in program for taking food away from the Dining Hall. This has now been adopted across campus.
- Formed an Eco Committee: 10 CAs worked throughout 2010-2011 to raise awareness about sustainability through various events.
- Water Day
- Dine in the Dark Dinner
- Eco Week
- Do it in the Dark Campaign
- Installed a Water Spot in the Dining Hall: Residents can refill their own reuseable containers with fresh water.
- Composting Program: Developed an opt-in program for residents.
- Ongoing: Collaborating with Sustainable SFU to develop sustainability training, developing education campaigns.