Sustainability Information

Niagara College is dedicated to reducing environmental impacts and continually addresses ways to reach the five sustainability targets. The targets are:

Five Year Sustainability Targets

Area of Priority

Electricity Consumption – Target 10% Reduction

Water Consumption – Target 5% Reduction

Waste Generation – Target 65% Reduction

Paper Consumption – Target 50% Reduction

Carbon Consumption – Target 10% Reduction

There are so initiatives that the Sustainability Committee is working on at Niagara College. If you would like to learn more, please visit the website, niagaracollege.ca/sustainability.

• Sustainability and Niagara College Residences Presentation

At Niagara College Residence there are many ways that we can be involved sustainably by following these tips and putting them to use.

Addressing Energy and Water

Heating and Cooling

• Turn the radiator, thermostat, or AC down in our room while you are sleeping or away to reduce excess heating.
• To allow more air circulation, make sure there are no items in front of your vent
• Closing blinds and drapes on cooler days can minimize heat loss as well as block colder drafts
• On sunny days during the colder months keep your blinds open on south and west facing windows for sunlight to warm your room
• Resist the urge to open the windows when the heat is on
• In the winter you can open the inner doors for a bit for ventilation instead of opening the windows while the heat is on

Water Heater

• Take shorter showers (aim for 4-5 minutes). This not only conserves water, but also energy that is needed to heat water
• Use cold water for laundry, as it will reduce water use by 90%! Also will reduce energy needed to heat water, and it’s better for your clothes!
• Don’t use excessive amounts of water when washing your hands in the washrooms
• Fact: Showers can consume up to 12-14 liters of water per minute! This can cost an average home owner about 25% of their energy bills for water heating alone!

Refrigerator

• Set the temperature for only as cold as you need
• Don’t overfill the refrigerator, as this blocks air circulation
• Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator

Stove/Oven

• When using the stove, be sure to put lids on pots in order to retain the heat
• Use electric kettle or microwave to boil smaller amounts of water
• Match the pot size to the cooking job or stove element

Clothes Washer and Dryer

• Run full loads when possible but don’t overload the machine.
• Use cooler/warm water instead of the hottest setting. It will also reduce the energy needed to heat water and it’s better for your clothes.
• Separate clothes into heavy, medium and lights – lighter clothes take less drying time.
• Clean lint after each load.

Computers and Other Electronics

• Turn off your computer when you’re not using it or change you settings to use the Power Management or sleep function to save energy.
• Turn off the lights behind you in each room you exit.
• Plug all of your electronics into a power bar, so that it is convenient for you to turn off power access, which also reduces phantom power draw.

Lighting

• Turn off lights whenever you leave a room or don’t need them
• Opening up blinds is a way to brighten up a room without electricity
• Keep light fixtures clean so they stay brighter

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Every room is equipped with a CFL Light Bulb, which will last up to ten times longer and use 75% less electricity than an incandescent light bulb. Some of the benefits of using CFL Light Bulbs include:

• Reduction in energy consumption in Niagara College Residences
• Reduction in carbon emissions associated with electricity production
• Increase in energy efficiency in Niagara College Residences
• Cost savings
• Engagement and education

Recycling & Waste Seperation

Grey Bins

Accepted – Paper Recycling

• Newspapers, flyers, glossy magazines, catalogues, envelopes, paperbacks, phone books, hardcover books (remove cover and discard)
• Shredded paper should be placed inside a firmly tied clear plastic bag

Accepted – Boxboard

• Cereal, cookie, cracker, detergent, pop, tissue, shoe and gift boxes (remove liners)

Accepted – Corrugated Cardboard

• Shipping, appliance, furniture & pizza boxes (remove excess food, place in organics)

Accepted – Plastic Bags

• Retail, milk and bread bags, dry cleaning bags, clean bubble wrap, outside wrapping of items such as toilet tissues, paper towels, and pop cases

Non-Accepted
Greeting cards, glass, metal, paper take-out trays, tissue paper, waxed or coated boxboard such as frozen food packaging, wood, wrapping paper, cartons (egg, milk, ice cream, juice), chip bags or plastic wrappers, coated paper bags (pet food bags)
Note: At home grocery bags/plastic bags should be placed in one bag and put on top of the bin

Blue Bins

Accepted – Plastics

• Milk and juice cartons, drink boxes, plastic bottles, clamshells, trays, tubs, lids (plastic pop, juice, water, shampoo, detergent, cooking oil, motor oil, window cleaner, yogurt, margarine, ice cream containers), polystyrene foam plastic (foam food trays, protective packaging), spiral cardboard containers (frozen juice, Pringles potato chips, powdered cleansers, cookie dough packages)

Accepted – Glass

• Glass Jars (remove caps and lids)

Accepted – Metals

• Cardboard containers with metal bottoms (frozen juice cans, potato chip and baby formula containers), aluminum cans and foil containers

Non-Accepted
Appliances, butter wrappings, cigarette wrappings, foil lined food lids, ceramics, coat hangers, electronics, light bulbs, window glass, paper products, plastic and foil food wrap, plastic bags, plastic blister packs (packaging for medication and lozenges), plastic pipe (vinyl, PVC), plastic toys, plastic without a number, scrap metal, toys, VHS tapes, water filters

Green Bins

Accepted – Organics

• Bones, meat, chicken, fish, shellfish, bread, muffins, cake, candies, cookies, pies, dough, coffee grounds, filters, tea bags, cooking oil, grease, fat, dairy products, eggs, egg shells, fruits, vegetables, peelings, microwave popcorn bags, nuts, nutshells, paper egg cartons, tissues, towels, napkins (not soiled with hazardous waste), paper towels, toilet paper cores, pasta, rice, potatoes, flour, grains, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, sauces, gravy, dressings, paper take-out trees, cups, plates, brown paper bags, dryer lint

Non-Accepted
Foil wrap, liquids (soup, beverages), plastic wrap or containers, wax paper, regular paper coffee and cold drinks cups that are not 100% paper, grass and yard clippings, bandages, sanitizing wipes, lubricants, cigarette ashes or butts, dead animals, disposable mop sheets and dryer sheets, feminine hygiene products, diapers, plastic bags, plates, straws, rubber products, textiles

Brown Bins

Accepted – Solid Waste

• Soiled aluminum foil and saran wrap, broken glass, candy wrappers, carbon paper, chip bags, ceramics, diapers, floor sweepings, gift wrap, latex gloves, wax paper, lids for yogurt, sour cream, yoghurt etc. foil