UBC is embedding sustainability into the business practices of its operational units across campus. The UBC Campus Sustainability Office collaborates with several UBC units (departments) to coordinate sustainability activities, achieve integrated results and share accountability. Our collective efforts make a significant impact and provide positive role modelling on and off campus. The following describes how some units are actively integrating sustainability into their daily operations.

Campus and Community Planning

Campus and Community Planning’s sustainability-related goals involve creating a compact community that is cyclist and pedestrian friendly, showing leadership in sustainable development, and honouring the natural landscape and environment that define UBC. As stewards of public assets, Campus and Community Planning is accountable for ensuring that any choices made about land, buildings, infrastructure and transportation serve UBC’s core academic mission and advance sustainability. Visit Campus and Community Planning for more information.

Risk Management Services

Risk Management Services supports departments across the University in meeting their environmental obligations as prescribed by UBC Policy #6 - Environmental Protection Compliance and UBC Policy #9 - Hazardous Materials Management. Environmental management initiatives include programs and services that provide oversight of hazardous waste management and pollution prevention as well as lab plastic recycling, battery recycling and styrofoam recycling programs. Risk Management Services, Supply Management and the Campus Sustainability Office also work together to support the Green Research Program to promote sustainable practices in UBC laboratories.

Infrastructure Development

The mission of Infrastructure Development is to collaborate with campus stakeholders to create great spaces at UBC for people to teach and learn, conduct leading edge research, and enjoy the life of the campus community. Infrastructure Development’s goal is to ensure that new and renovated facilities at UBC are functional, reliable, sustainable and maintainable, and achieve minimum life-cycle cost. 

Student Housing and Hospitality Services

Through innovative waste management practices, sustainable procurement, campus and community involvement, expansion and redevelopment of living and social spaces and ongoing fiscal responsibility, Student Housing and Hospitality Services demonstrates an ongoing commitment to creating and preserving a healthy and sustainable UBC. Student Housing and Hospitality Services considers all aspects of sustainability when making both day-to-day business decisions and long-term strategic plans. Recognizing the impact our decisions may have on our environment, Student Housing and Hospitality Services strives to minimize our footprint and remains focused on providing a variety of quality products and services for all members of the campus community.

Supply Management

UBC is dedicated to working with businesses that share the University’s commitment to improve environmental conditions, provide fair and equitable work environments for employees and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. Supply Management supports this commitment by applying a Supplier Code of Conduct (SCC) as part of its contract process, which sets the ethical performance expectations for suppliers.

Sustainability at UBC Okanagan

UBC Okanagan's Office of Workplace Health and Sustainability provides administrative and operational sustainability for the campus.  Its mission is to lead and facilitate the advancement of a culture of health and sustainability at UBC Okanagan by building and supporting the growth of its social, cultural, ecological and economic sustainability. Visit the website to learn more.

Transportation Planning

Transportation Planning works to reduce automobile trips to and from UBC by promoting sustainable transportation choices such as transit, carpooling, walking and cycling. Through Transportation Demand Management, TREK supports sustainability commitments as outlined in UBC’s Official Community Plan and its Strategic Transportation Plan (STP). Successes to date include expanding transit ridership, implementing a student U-Pass program, adjusting class start times to reduce peak transit demand, expanding bicycle routes and facilities, and decreasing parking supply and demand.

UBC Bookstore

The UBC Bookstore is committed to sustainability and empowers both customers and staff members to make sustainable choices. Since 2004, the UBC Bookstore has sold “No Sweat” clothing, which the Bookstore’s manufacturers produce according to internationally-established fair labour practices. UBC Bookstore buyers are committed to sourcing recycled products, and the warehouse compacts and recycles cardboard. The Plastic Bag Reduction Program will donate the cost of plastic bags not taken this year to Mount Pleasant Elementary School in East Vancouver. Since September of 2009, the Bookstore has also used food waste compost bins in its staff room.

Waste Management

Through waste reduction campaigns, and collaboration with other departments on campus, Waste Management plays an important role in helping to make UBC a sustainable and healthy community. It provides waste management services and waste reduction education through the coordination of recycling, composting and litter reduction initiatives. Waste Management also chairs the UBC Waste Free Committee, which aims to raise campus-wide waste reduction awareness by strengthening existing programs and developing communication and engagement strategies.

CALL TO ACTION
To share your campus unit’s efforts in sustainability on campus, contact Anke Sieb today.