By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Apr 21, 2016)
Here are some of the reasons why University of Toronto was selected as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers (2016):
- U of T’s many initiatives to reduce, reuse and recycle has helped it achieve an impressive waste diversion rate of over 72 percent, which includes the capture of everything from batteries to organics to asphalt and concrete — additionally, the university continues to build on its past accomplishments, recently launching the “Green Ideas” program to encourage employees and students to share ideas on how to further reduce the campus footprint — ideas that will help to shape future projects of the Sustainability Office
- U of T operates a unique “Swap Shop” at its St. George campus where members of the university community can drop off and pick up items such as furniture and office equipment throughout the academic year, with over 40 tonnes of gently used items processed — additionally, the university operates the unique not-for-profit “Bikechain” shop which acts as a hub for the organization’s large cycling community, offering affordable repairs and educational opportunities for students, faculty and staff
- Across Canada’s largest university, U of T boasts numerous environmentally-focused student groups, covering a range of green subject areas to suit practically every interest, from urban agriculture to sustainable engineering to the green chemistry initiative — the university also provides an incredible range of environmentally focused courses and programs across its many faculties, including the School of the Environment interdisciplinary academic program