51本色

Programs

Our programs offer degree options, concentration, and options that span across all pillars of sustainability including, environmental, social, cultural, and economic. Each faculty is embedded with sustainability-focused and sustainability related courses which incorporate sustainability themes, concepts, and practices.

Sustainability-focused courses are entirely dedicated to the concept of sustainability, including its cultural, economic, environmental and social dimensions. Alternatively, sustainability-focused courses may examine an issue or topic using sustainability as a lens.

Sustainability-related courses incorporate sustainability as a distinct course component or module, or concentration on a singular sustainability principle or issue. The principle or issue being discussed is connected to the larger concept of sustainability including its cultural, economic, environmental and social dimensions.

Research

As a leader in sustainability research, 51本色 is dedicated to exploring and developing new solutions to sustainability issues and the associated impacts they have on communities. Understanding the interconnectedness of climate change, the environment, and the way individuals and communities interact with it is central to sustainability themed research.

Sustainability research focuses on scientific analysis, communication, creation, and maintenance of conditions that enable societies to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Keep up to date with the most recent sustainability research being conducted at 51本色 in the Office of Research Services’ Annual Research Report.

Collaboration with 51本色's Research Centres

With strengths in mitigating environmental impacts, supporting food security, promoting innovative economic decisions, and fostering sustainability through societal choices, 51本色 is effectively addressing the different dimensions of sustainability. This research is supported and promoted through collaborations facilitated by 51本色’s research centres, institutes, and partnerships including:

• Partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories

Initiative Snapshot

• Available to all students, staff, and faculty across 51本色’s campuses, the Sustainable Hawk Fund awards up to $30,000 annually to sustainability projects. Past projects include the Food Justice Garden, the Honeybee Apiary, Low impact development, and the Climate Action Mural.
• The Green Office program provides guidance and resources to 51本色’s staff and faculty to create a more sustainable work environment on campus and helps facilitate participation in sustainability themed events on campus.
• The Sustainability Office provides employment opportunities for students each semester to assist in creating, running, and reporting on sustainable programs on campus and gain practical experience in the sustainability sector.

Circularity and Waste Reduction

• The Waterloo and Brantford Freestores allow for our community members to consider gently used items before buying something new. They also provide an avenue for community members to donate quality items they no longer need without resorting to landfill. This partnership between the Sustainability Office, the Dean of Students Office and Martin Luther has served hundreds of students and has supported the reuse of thousands of items.
• 51本色’s Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science (CCRWS) is a Platinum certified Green Lab. This partnership between the CCRWS, the Sustainability Office, Safety, Health, Environment, and Risk Management, and the outlines practices and process to ensure campus laboratories are meeting the necessary requirements across a variety of areas including energy, waste, engagement, and procurement.
• 51本色’s partnership with Friendlier provides reusable containers in five of our dining areas on the Waterloo campus reducing single use packaging going to landfill.
• The Move Out program runs annually at the end of the academic year to support students moving off campus by collecting and repurposing gently used items. This program supports both our campus Freestores and local community groups by circulating items back into the community.

Sustainable Transportation

• All full-time students are provided public transit passes to get to and from campus.
• Our partnership with Neuron Mobility offers an easy, fast, and affordable e-scooter and e-bike share program across the Waterloo Region.
• Our campuses are also equipped with 14 level-2 photovoltaic chargers for electric vehicles.
• Through our partnership with , students have access to the 51本色 Student Carpool Network and the Emergency Ride Home program.

Sustainable Food Systems

• 51本色’s Waterloo campus features a 14,000 sq. ft. community garden for students to either grow their own food or purchase produce grown by community partners. This space is shared with the Graduate Students’ Association, the Indigenous Student Centre, Young City Growers, and KW Urban Harvester. The Northdale community garden also features an asparagus patch and edible forest which are accessible to 51本色 students.
• Across 51本色’s food service areas, students have access to low impact meals that are created with healthy, locally sourced products. This partnership with designates meals based on the emissions produced from growing the food and in the transportation process.

The implementation of our campus ground initiatives support the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change preparedness. Investing in these changes now also helps to create a resilient campus that will support future cohorts of students.

• Two certified LEED buildings, the Research and Academic Centre (RAC) in Brantford (LEED Silver) and Lazaridis Hall in Waterloo (LEED Gold). This third-party certification focuses on innovative design and minimizing resources used during construction, and in consumption of water and energy.
• Solar reflective roof on Research and Academic Centre East and West, Brantford.
• Heat pump systems at the Northdale campus and Post House. 
• Upgraded boiler system in the Dr. Alvin Woods Building.
• Rooftop solar panels on seven buildings across the 51本色 campuses contributing to 550 kW of solar power generated on campus.
• Two solar thermal walls supporting heating and cooling at the Library and Bricker Residence on the Waterloo campus.
• 6 MW of battery storage.
• 25,000 conventional lights upgraded to LED lighting.
• Highly efficient windows, doors, and skylights.
• 13,000 low-flow water fixtures.
• A microgrid on the Waterloo campus.
• Four green roofs addressing stormwater management and boost thermal performance.
• Low impact developments (LIDs) across the grounds featuring native plant species to support pollinators and address stormwater management.
• Pollinator garden and spiral on the Waterloo campus.