Sustainability efforts at Oshawa university celebrated

Ontario Tech University continues to build on its reputation for sustainability and environmental awareness with a second straight Gold ranking from the Philadelphia-based Association for Advancement of Sustainability.

The 2024 Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing universities and colleges in 17 sustainability impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). STARS helps institutions measure, report and strengthen their contributions to global sustainability.

Ontario Tech received their first GOLD rating in 2019 and repeated the accomplishment in 2021 and 2023.

In the 2024 index, Ontario Tech placed fifth among 355 measured institutions in the purchasing practices impact area, receiving a score of 94.5 per cent. By comparison, the average purchasing practice score in 2024 was 53.6 per cent.

The Oshawa school scored even higher in research, with a score of 96 per cent.

Other high scores in the Campus Index for Ontario Tech include water (82 per cent), campus engagement (81 per cent), curriculum (78 per cent), grounds (75 per cent) and coordination and planning (74 per cent).

Universities spend billions of dollars annually on goods and services such as paper, cleaning products and electronics, said Meghan Fay, the association’s Executive Director. Each purchasing decision, she added, represents an opportunity for institutions to choose environmentally and socially preferable products and services, and support companies with strong commitments to sustainability.

“As sustainability becomes increasingly central to the mission of colleges and universities, the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index provides essential insights and showcases the innovative work being done in higher education,” Fay said. “This report is not just about recognizing excellence – it’s about inspiring action and equipping institutions with the knowledge they need to achieve sustainability and climate impact.”

Canadian schools did well in the 2024 Campus Index, with Humber College in Toronto ranked #1 in the ‘Associate’ school division and two other north-of-the-border universities (Sherbrooke in Quebec and Thompson Rivers in B.C.) also topping their respective categories.

McGill, Laval, Victoria – as well as Thompson Rivers and Sherbrooke – were also awarded Platinum designations in the ratings.

One of the ways Ontario Tech prioritizes sustainable purchasing choices is by maintaining a Fairtrade Campus Designation, which recognizes the university’s dedication to promoting fair-trade practices and sustainability on campus. Fairtrade represents a commitment to support farmers who produce the crops students and faculty consume, with all coffee and tea served at Hunter’s Kitchen in the university’s Business and Information Technology Building and at campus-catered events Fairtrade-certified.

The Fairtrade movement guarantees minimum price and fair wages to farmers, improves working and living conditions of farmers and their families in developing countries, funds community development projects and sets standards to protect the environment through sustainable agricultural practices.

“Being a Fairtrade campus is just one of the many ways in which Ontario Tech University showcases its commitment to sustainability through procurement,” said Isabel Savransky, an Asset and Sustainability Planner with the Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability. “Whether we’re upgrading our fleet vehicles or purchasing cleaning materials, sustainability is at the forefront of decision-making at the university.”

In 2023 the university upgraded three of its fleet vehicles to sustainable alternatives, including two fully-electric cargo vans and a hybrid SUV.

The school is hosting Fairtrade Month events in October, with two on-campus birthday parties to celebrate Fairtrade Canada’s 30th anniversary. Ontario Tech will be blowing out the candles on Tuesday, October 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Charles Hall downtown and the following day (also 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at Shawenjigewining Hall at the main campus in north Oshawa.

Ontario Tech is also committed to sustainable food-purchasing practices with weekly menus for on-campus food services that focus on healthy food choices and ensure minimal waste.

Tree-planting community event for alumni, staff and students at Ontario Tech University’s Windfields Farm property in May 2023.