We are excited to share that Humber College was named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the seventh year in a row. The award recognizes employers that lead the nation in making environmental values part of their organizational culture.
“Over the last several years, there has been a culture shift at Humber in which sustainability isn’t just something we consider on its own, but something that is a part of everything we do,” said Lindsay Walker, associate director, Sustainability. “I’m proud to see we’re recognized as a Greenest Employer for the seventh year running. Congratulations to our students, staff and faculty who take responsibility for embedding sustainability into their roles on and off campus that help us create a better world for all.”
Some of Humber's sustainability highlights include:
O2GO Reusable Container Program
The O2GO program was implemented to help reduce waste on campus. Approximately, five million disposable containers have been averted from landfills and oceans by using O2GO. At Humber, 91 per cent of participants are happy with the program.
Humber's Climate Action Plan
Humber's Climate Action Plan (CAP) outlines our roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2050, with ambitious goals to reduce energy, water, and greenhouse gas emissions at the source rather than purchasing carbon offsets. The CAP emphasizes resilience, adaptation and advocacy, further positioning Humber as a leader in sustainable campuses.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Recycling Program
Humber College implemented a pilot Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Recycling Program with the help of Zero Waste Boxes from TerraCycle. Designated PPE Recycling Stations are available to staff, students and faculty, with stations situated near building exits, and specific labs that have seen an increase in disposable items such as face masks, gloves, hair nets, etc. The pilot PPE Recycling Program has collected 40 lbs of single-use PPE waste, contributing to the millions of pounds TerraCycle diverts from landfills and incinerators each month.
Humber is a Certified Bee Campus
Humber became a designated Bee Campus in the Fall of 2021. To educate the public about bees, Humber installed hives at our North and Lakeshore campuses as well as in the Arboretum. All hives are to be reared using organic and ethical practices. We are excited to partner with Bee City Canada to ensure we are advocating for native species in the 250 acres of natural space surrounding Humber’s campuses.
NX Building Retrofit
Humber College performed a deep retrofit to the NX building, turning one of the campus’ most inefficient buildings into an industry-leading example of zero-carbon excellence. The project included a complete replacement of the building envelope with new 14-inch-thick walls, Passive House triple-pane windows, and a new Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) mechanical system, all of which were installed while the building was occupied.
Please view the 2019-2024 Humber Sustainability Plan and Supporting Actions to learn more about Humber's long-term sustainability vision and goals.
~The Office of Sustainability