At Trent, we strive to align our campus operations with our commitment to green teaching and research. Whether it’s through energy management, waste diversion, or cleaning our buildings, there’s often a significant amount of effort happening 'behind the scenes' to ensure our practices, programs, and policies are increasingly responsible to the environment.
Our campus sustainability initiative reflects this dedication, as we work towards fostering an environmentally responsible community. We are making significant strides in various areas of sustainability:
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Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs): We actively track and work to minimize our carbon footprint through innovative strategies and cleaner alternatives.
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Water Conservation: Our campus prioritizes water conservation, through a variety of innovative measures both inside our buildings and outdoors. We utilize low-flow fixtures to reduce water usage and implement strategies that engage students in our conservation efforts.
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Zero Waste Initiatives: We are committed to becoming a zero waste campus by promoting recycling, composting, and waste reduction programs that engage students and staff alike.
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Green Building Practices: Our commitment to sustainable architecture is demonstrated through two LEED-certified buildings and Canada’s first International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Zero Carbon building, setting new standards for carbon and environmental responsibility.
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Sustainable Food Services: We lead the way in sustainable dining with three Certified Green Restaurants on campus (Lady Eaton Dining Hall, Durham Dining Hall, and Peter Robinson Dining Hall), focusing on local sourcing, minimizing waste, and providing healthy, environmentally-friendly meal options.
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Greening Infrastructure Projects: Our campus features over 3,500 square meters of green roofs, enhancing aesthetics, improving air quality, reducing heat island effects, and promoting biodiversity. We have a 2.5MW Battery Energy Storage System that is charged from the Ontario electricity grid at night when generation is lowest carbon and lowest cost and discharge at daytime peaks where generation is strained, high-cost and carbon intensive.
Through these efforts and more, we are dedicated to making our campus a leader in sustainability. We invite you to join us on this important journey - everyone had an important role in advancing sustainability. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on our environment and community!
