Kate Humphrys, Lauren Sharpe and Beth Doxsee (left to right) are just a few of the staff members in Health, Counselling and Disability Services who are volunteering for the office organics waste diversion program. Across campus 21 offices are diverting approximately 200 kg of organic waste – the equivalent of 64 of the green bins pictured above – from the landfill each week.

Approximately 200 kg of organic material is diverted from the landfill each week through the university’s office organics waste diversion program.

Mike Condra, director of Health, Counselling and Disability Services (HCDS), collected organic waste and took it home to compost for years. Kate Humphrys was encouraged to enrol HCDS in the program because of Dr. Condra’s example and her commitment to sustainability and past experience with composting.

“Dr. Condra is incredibly supportive of the office organics program and he participates fully by volunteering to empty the green bin,” says Ms Humphrys, Health Promotion Coordinator, HCDS. “Overall, staff members from the LaSalle Building have embraced the program and implementation has been really easy and straightforward. We all see it as a simple way we can make a small but important difference.”

HCDS staff members deposit their organic waste in a small green bin located in the office lunchroom. Ms Humphrys created a schedule for volunteers to empty the bin into a larger receptacle outside Ban Righ Hall as needed.

HCDS is one of 21 offices that have signed up for the program launched last February by the Sustainability Office.

“It all adds up to help the university improve its waste diversion rate,” says Llynwen Osborne, Waste Diversion Coordinator. “We have received very positive feedback from participants. They especially like the green bins we supply because the charcoal filters eliminate odours. And dedicated volunteers emptying the containers ensure the containers do not attract fruit flies.”

Departments can still participate in the program by downloading an application form posted on the Physical Plant Services website. For more information contact Ms Osborne by email or at ext. 33396.