Sustainability at UBCO Student Housing

In 2021, Student Housing implemented full recycling stations – Recycling blue, Returnable green, Compost yellow, and Waste black – in all resident buildings on every floor. This was identified as a UBCO CAP 2030 action. In the coming academic year, a miscellaneous bin will also be available to collect batteries and small e-waste, mainly in laundry rooms. Proceeds from cans and bottles recycled in student residences go to support EFRT, UBC Okanagan’s First Response team.

UBC Okanagan Food Services is starting a food revolution and supports a sustainable campus. They use environmentally friendly green chemicals, products, and biodegradable garbage bags that decompose in 60 days. Food Services also provides an all-services recycling station in or near all their eateries that accepts compost, recyclables and returnables.

Residence Dining Facilities, such as Pritchard Dining Hall work to divert waste from landfills through onsite organic food waste dehydration, composting, and elimination of single-use plastics. The composting program accepts all organic and compostable material including: bread, meat and bones, fruits and vegetables, tea bags, coffee grounds and filter, napkins, wooden cutlery, chopsticks, and food containers marked compostable. 

UBCO Food Services recognizes the importance of climate-friendly food systems and encourages eating plant-forward food because it is beneficial to our health, the planet and the economy. Plant-based options are readily available and abundant at dining locations.

Ethically-sourced products – like Fair Trade-certified and Ocean Wise – are available at UBCO Food Services locations. Food Services is proud to be an Ocean Wise partner and to support the health of the oceans, lakes and rivers. They are committed to buying only 100 percent sustainable seafood.

Food Services is committed to nourishing its community with local food, with a priority on food sourced from the Okanagan. They understand that food tastes better and is often more sustainable when it is consumed as close to a source as possible. The culinary and nutrition teams design seasonal menus and prioritize sourcing from local food producers to reduce environmental impact. Approximately, 35 percent of offerings in Pritchard dining hall are locally sourced.

• Student Housing has partnered with the UBCO Sustainability Office and FortisBC to provide a Cold Water Washing 6-week pilot program in Nicola Residences.
• The campaign involved monitoring the residents’ laundry behaviours for 6-weeks to achieve baseline data. Following the baseline period, the Nicola residents were introduced to the Cold-Water Washing pilot program. With the support of the Residence Life Managers, residents learned about the benefits of adjusting current laundry behaviours, provided with sample cold water laundry detergent by FortisBC, and given weekly progress summaries and reminders to continually apply new habits.
• In 2013 students achieved 27.3% overall reduction of hot water use. By 2019, residents participating in the initiative achieved a 47% overall reduction in hot water use during the 6-week campaign.

Each year at student move-out, students help keep waste from landfills through the Mindful Move Out program. Student Housing works with community partners such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central & Southern Interior of BC as well as the SUO Food Pantry program to collect donation items at student move-out.

(insert photo of donation room)

Students in residence also reduce waste by participating in events like Swap Not Shop. This event provides a venue to donate clothes and other household items, but also gives participants a chance to treat themselves to what others have to offer. This is a great opportunity to learn more about thrifting and sustainable fashion.

Skeena Residence houses the Sustainability Living-Learning Community. This living learning community explores the aspects of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Students focus on raising awareness of the term “sustainability” as well as local and global environmental processes and concerns by creating conversation about the world that we live in. Students develop and implement programming and action plans that promote sustainable habits in our day-to-day lives. This is an LLC that can learn together, share their knowledge with peers, and make an impact in their community. 

Swap not shop

Conferences & Accommodation at UBC’s Okanagan campus recognizes that we have local as well as international environmental impact, and are not just another Kelowna hotel.

UBCO is committed to complying with all local, provincial and national environmental legislation, and our goal is to successfully implement environmental “best practices” in our conference venues, accommodations, operations and activities.

Some of our day-to-day initiatives:

• Recycling Program (Paper, Cardboard, Plastic, Glass, Refundable Bottles)
• Towel Exchange Program
• Energy Efficient Heating/Air Conditioning and Lighting in Sensory Activated Cascades
• Energy Efficient Heating/Air Conditioning in Okanagan Single Rooms (in addition ten bedrooms in each building also have motion sensor lighting)
• Water conservation low flow plumbing fixtures in compliance with Kelowna City Codes
• Water conservation self-timed and monitored sprinkler system for Landscaping
• Hazardous Waste and Appliance Disposed at local agencies for safe disposal
• Transportation: Electric Golf Cart for Conference and Housekeeping Staff

We partner with our custodial teams to use 100% chemical free cleaning and disinfection technology across our residences.