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Translating Knowledge into Climate Action

Applying what students learn in their academic programs has always been a halmark of a polytechnic education and a priority for Humber. We provide opportunities for learners to apply their sustainability mindsets through experiential learning and applied research and connect them to sustainability thought leaders who are living their green values within their sectors.

As Builders of Brilliance, we form deep partnerships, network, and collaborate to ensure we provide the national and global community with the most current climate information and connect our students to climate action engagement that generates impact for a better tomorrow.

Two landscape students posing outside with gardening project

Hands-On Experience & Industry and Community Connections

Empowering the Community to Drive Sustainability

Humber will drive connection and collaboration that elevates sustainability-focused knowledge exchange, and transforms knowledge into action.

Three volunteers wearing shirts that read "we are green"

Our Commitment: Humber students and staff will have opportunities to exercise their sustainability mindsets, hone their climate action skills, and engage with green industry and community leaders within their fields.

Five student sustainability ambassadors

Sustainability Ambassadors

Sustainability Ambassadors volunteer program provides Humber and University of Guelph-Humber students opportunities to strengthen their sustainability skillsets and undertake collaborative climate action.

Humber student smiling outdoors

Youth Advisory Forum

Humber is creating a student advisory group to inform the achievement of Humber’s Sustainability Vision.

In Development

Student and professor looking at whiteboard

The Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC)

As a cross-institutional advisory body to Humber’s President and Executive Team, the Sustainability Steering Committee is ensuring sustainability is reflected in Humber’s planning and decision-making. To find out more or attend a meeting, email the sustainability team.

Person smiling holding a jar

Sustainability Champions

The Sustainability Champions group is providing space for staff and faculty to integrate sustainability concepts into the student experience. To find out more or attend a gathering of this Community of Practice, email the sustainability team.

People gathered on trail in Humber arboretum

Climate Action Partnerships

Humber will elevate it’s status as a thought leader and convener of climate action through strategic partnerships.

Coming Soon

Become a Sustainability Ambassador

Are you passionate about sustainability, advocacy, and community-building? Apply to become a Sustainability Ambassador for the 2024-2025 academic year!

As a Sustainability Ambassador, you play a crucial role in educating the Humber community about sustainability. Amidst a human-created climate emergency, we need passionate and informed youth from diverse cultural backgrounds to encourage positive change on campus and beyond.

At Humber and UofGH, our commitment to sustainability is guided by varied forms of knowledge and value systems, from Indigenous Ways of Being, Knowing, and Doing to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Reasons to become a Sustainability Ambassador:

  • Learn more about sustainability topics.
  • Develop transferable skills related to communication, outreach, and collaboration.
  • Attend and support Sustainability events year-round.
  • Write sustainability-themed posts for our blog.
  • Support content creation for our social media channels.(links?)
  • Network with other students and professionals in the sustainability field.

For more information, read the 2024-2025 Sustainability Ambassador Workbook. Alternate version available upon request.

Please complete the application form to join the Sustainability Ambassadors.

Humber faculty member working in a garden

Our Commitment: Humber leaders and employees will model green behaviours so that our students can follow our lead.

Learning and Development

Empowering Humber Employees at Every Step

At every step of their Humber employment journey, Humber employees are developing their sustainability capacity through targeted educational programming and toolkits.

Explore our current offerings (coming soon).

Sustainable Lifestyle

Living Sustainably

There are multiple choices you can make to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are some of the ways Humber supports you in your sustainability journey.

Back of person's shirt that reads Humber Sustainability

Our Commitment: Humber will provide its community with the tools to live sustainability.

Phone showing green recycling symbol

Sustainability at Home Toolkit

Humber developed a toolkit that lists the ways you can contribute to sustainability at home.

Student talking to chef in cafeteria

Food Establishments

Humber offers dine-in and take-out experiences with delicious vegetarian meals, FairTrade products, and healthy dishes prepared by culinary students.

Humber faculty meeting

Sustainable Procurement Guide

The OPCMA SP Tools Workbook will assist the Humber community in making procurement decisions that benefit people, plants, and prosperity.

Coming Soon

Fair trade materials and info cards

FairTrade

Humber offers FairTrade certified products on campus and raises awareness about conscious consumption choices. See Humber Campus Compass App for directions!

Plastic containers stacked on a counter

Reusable Container Programs

Humber’s North and Lakeshore campuses offer unique reusable container programs, free water refill stations, and reusable cutlery kits.

Humber board room

Low Waste Event Spaces

Humber has designated Low Waste Event Spaces for catering in various campus locations.

Recycling, garbage and compost bins

Sorting Stations

Humber uses centralized four-stream sorting stations to segment waste on campus and provides an acceptable waste criteria list for the community to reference. Learn more about sorting stations. Access the acceptable waste criteria list.

Single use battery recycling bin

Recycling Programs

Humber offers a variety of recycling options, including Textbooks, PPE, Battery, Pens and Do it Yourself options.

Person charging electric car

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Humber offers several electric vehicle (EV) dual charging stations across both campuses.

Modern TTC streetcar in Toronto

Public Transit

Each campus connects to multiple transit routes for our students to access our campuses.

Person using rideshare app smiling

Smart Commute & Carpooling

Humber partnership with Smart Commute links the Humber community to sustainable travel options across the greater Toronto and Hamilton area.

Student walking with bike and two other people on campus

Biking

Discounted bike rentals are available through Bike Share stations at its Lakeshore campus and near Humber Downtown. Secure, indoor bike parking and self-service repair stations are available at Humber’s North and Lakeshore campuses.

Person charging electric car

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Humber has 46 electric vehicle (EV) dual charging stations across its campuses. The first four charging hours are free and usual parking fees apply. Advance spot reservation is not required.

North Campus

  • Commuter Hub: 16 EV charging stations (open 24/7)
  • Lot 9: Four EV charging stations (A valid Humber parking permit is required to access) (open 24/7)

Carrier Drive: Four EV charging stations (open 24/7)

Lakeshore Campus

  • Welcome Centre underground parking area: Four EV charging stations. (Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 10 pm and Saturday to Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm)
  • Lot 1 located behind B Building: Ten EV charging stations (open 24/7)

To use the EVs:

  • Download the ChargePoint app and enter your credit card information. You will not be charged for the first four hours of complimentary charging.
  • After four hours, Humber encourages you to move your electric vehicle to a regular parking spot. If you choose to remain parked at the EV charging station, you will be billed $5.00 for each hour or partial hour of additional charging.

Modern TTC streetcar in downtown Toronto

Public Transit

Students can purchase the TTC Full-Time Student Photo ID at any time during the year at Bathurst Station or on campus during the fall semester; follow @SustainHumber to find out when the next TTC campus visit is.

Person using rideshare app in car

Smart Commute & Carpooling

Humber Polytechnic has partnered with Smart Commute who offers a free app to help the Humber community explore options for sustainable travel across the GTHA. By signing up for the app (iOS, Android), community members can:

  • Find a carpool match within the Humber community
  • Plan and track your carpool, transit, walking and cycling trips
  • Join a network of GTHA commuters through your workplace or organization
  • Take advantage of program benefits including workplace travel support

For tips on using the app, members can visit:

Humber Parking services offers carpool members the option to split a parking permit. For more information visit:

Student walking their bike alongside two friends

Biking

Bike rentals are available through Bike Share stations at the Lakeshore and near Humber Downtown. Humber staff and students receive a 20% discount on yearly memberships when they sign up with their Humber email. Maps are available to plan routes to work, school, shopping, or simply to explore:

Humber offers secure, indoor bike parking at the North and Lakeshore campuses. Users register for the program and pay a minimal annual fee online through MyHumber. For more information, contact parking.sales@humber.ca or visit How to Register and Pay for Secure Bike Parking. Guelph-Humber students should email parklock@uoguelph.ca to set up Secure Bike Parking.

A self-service bike repair station is also available at each campus:

  • North Campus: Next to the Parking Services Kiosk (directly in front of LRC)
  • Lakeshore Campus: In front of the L Building on the east side of campus

Recycling Options

Textbooks for Change
Textbooks that are less than 15 years old can be dropped off at one of our on-campus locations:

North Campus:

  • KX Building: outside Humber Student Federation – HSF
  • K107: outside the School of Media Studies and Information Technology office
  • E205: outside The Business School office
  • LRC: Math Centre – 3rd floor

Lakeshore Campus:

  • A Building: near The Music Office and Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • H Building: Main Floor - across from the International Office
  • H Building: 2nd Floor near the Business School
  • L Building: 3rd Floor
  • Annex/Humber Centre for Justice Leadership – Main Floor near Security

PPE Recycling
PPE items can be recycled on campus in locations near Nursing and Culinary classrooms.

Battery Recycling
Humber/UofGH offers battery-recycling bin locations:

  • North Campus: Outside of IGNITE office at KX202
  • University of Guelph-Humber: 2nd floor by room GH214
  • Lakeshore Campus: 2nd floor of L building cafeteria next to elevator doors, 1st floor of Welcome Centre in front of Registrar's Office, & 1st floor BIRM by Tim Hortons
  • International Graduate School: 4th floor by room 410

Pen Recycling
Humber recycles all kinds of writing instruments (pens and pen caps, mechanical pencils, markers and marker caps, including dry-erase and permanent, all brands and any colour, etc.) at drop-off locations on campus for appropriate recycling:

  • North: Just outside of IGNITE, KX202
  • Lakeshore: Next to the elevator, L-building (2nd floor) and 1st floor of H building by the main entrance
  • International Graduate School: 4th floor, room 410

Humber staff and faculty are provided with a Pen Collection Box for their offices. Please contact sustainability@humber.ca for more information.

Paper Guide
Humber offers a guide for faculty on how to go paperless in the classroom.