As the University is in the process of rolling out its Zero Waste Action Plan, this team was created to encourage the UBC community to “Sort It Out”, decrease the volume of waste sent to landfills, engage campus users through events or activities, and push to make all UBC events zero-waste.
INITIATIVES:
WASTE AUDIT
In 2014, the Campaigns team organized the first waste audit of the Student Union Building (SUB). Run completely by student volunteers, this event has consistently been one of Canada’s largest student run waste audits in both scope and size. The event highlighted waste stream (organics, recyclable containers, paper, garbage) contamination and looked at some of the issues around waste produced at the SUB. Volunteers sorted through, weighed and documented hundreds of kilograms of waste – and had tonnes of fun doing it! The data collected supports both the UBC Sustainability’s Zero Waste initiatives and AMS Sustainability’s initiatives. This year will mark the 4th year of the audit, this time with the Zero Waste team.
OUTREACH
Other initiatives include fun, engaging events and outreach across campus! This includes taking part in events across campus and promoting Zero Waste practices, as well as boothing in key areas of campus to engage students in Zero Waste.
In 2016, the team helped coordinate a “Mindful Move Out” in several student residences encouraging students to donate their old items instead of disposing them. They also created digital signage informing students, faculty and staff at UBC the proper way to #SortItOut.
In 2021, the zero waste team launched a zero waste podcast under Common Energy UBC on Spotify. Check out their project below: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FzZ45PGtRxQ6EDYHpMXdH?si=c0XmExinQDa2PO1-gyaXsA
Common Energy UBC 