As a member of the Carleton University community, there is much that you can do to contribute to and enhance Carleton’s Sustainability programs.
There are a variety of ways that staff, faculty and students can get involved in sustainability, from engagement programs and workplace certification to funding and educational experiences.
Sustainability success depends on everyone’s contributions, here’s how you can get involved in 6 easy steps:
1. Take the Sustainability Pledge
Carleton University is committed to the environment and its role as an environmental steward. This Sustainability Pledge is your opportunity to commit personally to a more sustainable University and every member of this community is encouraged to participate.
2. Submit your ideas to the Green Revolving Fund
At Carleton, we are committed to building a culture of sustainability and embrace innovation and thinking outside of normal boundaries. That is why we created the Green Revolving Fund. This revolving fund has set aside $1 million to invest in sustainability-related projects across campus.
The main criteria for projects will be to undertake initiates with positive environmental impacts and strong business case to bring funds back into the program. All Carleton students, faculty and staff are invited to submit their ideas.
3. Become a Green Workplace
The Green Workplace Program is designed to educate and encourage members of the Carleton community to adopt sustainable practices in their workplaces. The checklist offers action items that promote environmental vitality, human health & well-being, and financial viability. We hope it inspires you to develop creative solutions to sustainability challenges in your workplace.
The program provides recognition of efforts towards sustainability through a workplace certification rating, which can be displayed in your workplace.
4. Take a Sustainability Tour of the Campus
There are a number of projects and programs across the campus that inform our Sustainability Program. You can take a self-guided Sustainable Campus Walking Tour, and find out for yourself the key programs and developments.
5. Promote Best Practice
The Carleton Green Tip of the Month is a poster series and email campaign. Each month, the Sustainability Office provides a new green tip that you can implement in your building, classroom, dorm, office, or lab—and even at home!
- December Tip: Pre-Holiday checklist
- November Tip: Green Revolving Fund – Poster
- October Tip: Procurement – Buy Local
- September Tip: Energy Awareness – Lighting
- August Tip: August Tip Double sided printing
- July Tip: July poster litterless lunch
- June Tip: Energy Awareness – Photocopier
- May Tip: Transport poster
- April Tip: Earth Day poster
- March Tip: Help Reduce Disposable Cup Waste: BYOB
- February Tip: Become Energy Smart
- January Tip: Turn Down The Dial
6. Volunteer your time
Throughout the year there are opportunities to volunteer your time, during the workday, to promote and engage in sustainable programs here on campus. This includes a Spring (for Staff and Faculty) and Fall (Students) clean up the campus event. There are also events such as Bike to Work Month (May), Fairtrade Campus Week (October) and lunch-time talks. Look out for messages in the Top 5.