Humber is becoming a greener campus and everyone is participating! Humber Sustainability Highlights feature what departments around the College are doing to integrate sustainable practices. This month’s focus is Conference Services in Humber Student Residence.

During the summer term, just weeks after students have left, the residences at both North and Lakeshore campus turn into a hotel, offering low-cost accommodations for guests. This past May, Conference Services implemented a towel reuse program encouraging guests to be sustainable during their stay.

“The College has a mandate for sustainable practices and we wanted to do our part,” said Hopeton Lyle, Housekeeping coordinator at North Residence.  “We are encouraging guests to take advantage of the option to reuse their towels in an effort to conserve water, energy and reduce detergent use.”

Stanford Magazine quotes the website Economically Sound which estimates that a 150-room hotel can conserve 6,000 gallons of water and 40 gallons of laundry detergent per month with a towel/linen reuse program.

“The program has worked very well so far,” said Lyle. “We are pleased with how our guests are responding, finding that majority are taking advantage of it, helping to reduce the number of towels being washed.”

In addition to the towel reuse program, Residence offers many sustainable initiatives including low-flush toilets and automated light sensors to conserve water and energy. Guests are also encouraged to take part in voluntary sustainability programs by turning off lights when not in use and using the recycling bins for appropriate items.

Next time you find yourself staying in a hotel, use these tips. Along with your fellow guests, you can make a difference in helping to reduce your environmental impact; preserving our beautiful planet for years to come.