Wilfrid Laurier University

Laurier puts emphasis on providing formal education programs and courses that address sustainability. We offer numerous sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses, we have two undergraduate and four graduate programs in sustainability and offer a sustainability immersive … read more

Laurier puts emphasis on providing formal education programs and courses that address sustainability. We offer numerous sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses, we have two undergraduate and four graduate programs in sustainability and offer a sustainability immersive experience through the Department of Global Studies. In the last year we have conducted a sustainability literacy assessment which has helped us create a baseline for measuring sustainability among students, and will help us focus attention to areas of the school which students feel necessary for increasing sustainability initiatives.

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Laurier recognizes that sustainability research is crucial for advancing post-secondary institutions in the environmental field, and to develop new technologies, strategies and approaches to dealing with sustainability challenges. We publicly identify sustainability research on the … read more

Laurier recognizes that sustainability research is crucial for advancing post-secondary institutions in the environmental field, and to develop new technologies, strategies and approaches to dealing with sustainability challenges. We publicly identify sustainability research on the Sustainability Office webpage along with the faculty and departments engaged in this research.

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Community involvement and partnerships are an integral part of the Laurier spirit. Laurier students make up a tremendous volume of engaged volunteers whether that be on campus or involvement with the local community. Last year … read more

Community involvement and partnerships are an integral part of the Laurier spirit. Laurier students make up a tremendous volume of engaged volunteers whether that be on campus or involvement with the local community. Last year approx. 1618 students were involved in community service, giving a total of approx. 37146 hours of their time. Laurier's Co-Curricular Record supplements the student transcript giving future employers official documentation of students community service involvement during their time at Laurier.
Laurier partners with numerous community organizations including gardening projects, community centers, humanitarian efforts, and environmental organizations such a Sustainable Waterloo Region and REEP. We practice inter-campus sustainability partnering up with the University of Waterloo on several events and projects throughout the year.

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Laurier is a pledging partner of Sustainable Waterloo Region, an organization which holds us 3rd party accountable for all green house gas emissions, and for achieving our reduction targets. Laurier has pledged a 25% reduction … read more

Laurier is a pledging partner of Sustainable Waterloo Region, an organization which holds us 3rd party accountable for all green house gas emissions, and for achieving our reduction targets. Laurier has pledged a 25% reduction over a period of 10 years (2009-2019), and has already achieved an 11% reduction. The Sustainability Action Plan highlights the actions in place in order to attain our target reduction within the specified time frame.

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Laurier is taking active steps in their building design and construction as well as operations and maintenance. We have 2 LEED Silver certified buildings on our Brantford campus, and are the in design phase of … read more

Laurier is taking active steps in their building design and construction as well as operations and maintenance. We have 2 LEED Silver certified buildings on our Brantford campus, and are the in design phase of our third LEED certified building. Laurier's regulations state that all newly constructed buildings on any of our campuses must be LEED certified.

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Laurier's food service provider, Aramark, ensures that sustainability efforts are integrated throughout all aspects of dining services at Laurier. They offer trayless, local, vegan dining and operate under a set of sustainability standards. Food scraps … read more

Laurier's food service provider, Aramark, ensures that sustainability efforts are integrated throughout all aspects of dining services at Laurier. They offer trayless, local, vegan dining and operate under a set of sustainability standards. Food scraps are both pre and post consumer composted, and certain leftover foods are donated to the Waterloo Food Bank. Laurier facilitates a reusable to-go container program, and offers discounts to patrons who bring reusable containers to the various establishments around campus. Food service sustainability initiatives are posted online for easy reference, on the food services website.

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Laurier's ground staff ensure that best practices are put in place to reduce the environmental impact of grounds-keeping duties, and to help build a welcoming campus atmosphere. Laurier has a comprehensive pest management plan, creates … read more

Laurier's ground staff ensure that best practices are put in place to reduce the environmental impact of grounds-keeping duties, and to help build a welcoming campus atmosphere. Laurier has a comprehensive pest management plan, creates wildlife habitats with a variety of native plants, and practices sustainable snow and ice removal as well as a composting program for grounds waste.

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Laurier practices sustainable purchasing throughout many aspects of the institution. 100% of purchased computers are EPEAT gold, almost all of our cleaning products are Green Seal or Ecologo certified (all but one product used), and … read more

Laurier practices sustainable purchasing throughout many aspects of the institution. 100% of purchased computers are EPEAT gold, almost all of our cleaning products are Green Seal or Ecologo certified (all but one product used), and the large majority of purchased paper contains between 50-69% recycled content. Laurier also enforces an Ethical Purchasing Policy that sets expectations about the social and environmental responsibility of vendors with whom we do business.

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Laurier aims to ensure that many sustainable transportation options are available to all staff, faculty, and students. We have many facilities for bicyclists including repair stations, covered and locked bike racks, and shower and locker … read more

Laurier aims to ensure that many sustainable transportation options are available to all staff, faculty, and students. We have many facilities for bicyclists including repair stations, covered and locked bike racks, and shower and locker facilities. Staff and faculty are offered discounted public transit rates, and all students receive a bus pass included in their tuition payments. Laurier is a member of Grand River CarShare and also offers carpooling parking discounts, and carpool matching through partner organizations. Staff are offered condensed work week privileges and telecommuting options for meetings. We will continue to improve transportation sustainability in accordance with the goals outlined in the Sustainability Action Plan.

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In 20012 Laurier achieved a 60% waste diversion rate which is in compliance with the Ministry of Environment's waste management targets. We achieved a 96% construction waste diversion rate for our two most recent construction … read more

In 20012 Laurier achieved a 60% waste diversion rate which is in compliance with the Ministry of Environment's waste management targets. We achieved a 96% construction waste diversion rate for our two most recent construction projects which took place over the last three years. Laurier offers e-waste recycling for all staff and students, and had measures in place to properly deal with other hazardous waste and lab materials. In efforts to reduce paper consumption, on-campus printing is available for a fee to students, and course materials and staff directories are now all online rather than printed. To handle waste during busy moving times for students, Laurier practices a move-in as well as a move-out program for on-campus students in order to ensure students are properly disposing of their waste, and as many items as possible can be donated, re-used, and traded.

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Laurier has created a swale under a building downspout, a 10,000 L below ground water cistern in a low grade area prone to flooding, and a 2350 L above ground water cistern. These provide all … read more

Laurier has created a swale under a building downspout, a 10,000 L below ground water cistern in a low grade area prone to flooding, and a 2350 L above ground water cistern. These provide all of our water for grounds maintenance. We have an area on campus that directs water into a cistern which is used for irrigation, and have also planted native species on hilly areas to prevent erosion. Native, drought tolerant plant species are planted in lieu of other species on all of the Laurier campuses. An Irrigation Central Control is used to monitor and control water based on weather conditions. A green roof on top of our campus centre provides a variety of natural ecological services.

We have 4 waterless urinals in use on the Waterloo campus, and currently all major (academic and residence) buildings are in the process of being fitted with water meters capable of reporting back to the central energy management system.

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Laurier has several plans in action in order to benchmark sustainability efforts, make and achieve specified goals, and provide guidelines for staff, faculty, and student behavior. Laurier’s Academic Plan identifies sustainability as a core principle … read more

Laurier has several plans in action in order to benchmark sustainability efforts, make and achieve specified goals, and provide guidelines for staff, faculty, and student behavior. Laurier’s Academic Plan identifies sustainability as a core principle and places stress on its importance within the university on the environmental and social scopes.
The Campus Master Plan was developed by Physical Resources to help guide future growth using the core values of sustainability and integrating in into daily operations.
The Sustainability Action Plan was developed by Laurier’s Sustainable Campuses Committee and is used to strategically develop sustainability initiatives across campus. It focuses on goal setting, set timeframes, actions for achievement, measuring, and ongoing monitoring. Laurier’s Climate Action Plan is included in the SAP, outlining our greenhouse gas reduction goals and plans of action.

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Laurier has a Diversity & Equity Office comprised 5 full-time and 9 student-staff employees. The office strives to foster an atmosphere of equity and inclusiveness at Laurier. They work with a number of equity related … read more

Laurier has a Diversity & Equity Office comprised 5 full-time and 9 student-staff employees. The office strives to foster an atmosphere of equity and inclusiveness at Laurier. They work with a number of equity related committees involving staff, faculty, and students representing various areas of the university. The office constantly measures barriers to accessibility through a bi-annual survey and operates numerous support programs for underrepresented groups offered to staff, faculty and students. The Diversity & Equity Office also provides diversity and accessibility training to students and Laurier employees.

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Through the Human Resources department, Laurier faculty and staff are provided with sustainable compensation, an employee assistance program, on-site childcare, and a socially responsible retirement plan. New employees are provided with information regarding sustainability at … read more

Through the Human Resources department, Laurier faculty and staff are provided with sustainable compensation, an employee assistance program, on-site childcare, and a socially responsible retirement plan. New employees are provided with information regarding sustainability at Laurier, sustainability services, and how to get involved with these initiatives at Laurier. The HR department works hard to ensure staff and faculty satisfaction and incorporates aspects of sustainability into their operations.

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