Project Library

This project details the types of vegetative debris generated by agricultural production, and relevant management strategies used in the Metro Vancouver region. The broader project goals included  consideration of the impacts on local agricultural producers and enhancment of environmental health. The report presents an inventory of agricultural vegetative debris, details of common waste management strategies, a summary of current barriers to recycling or reusing this debris, and opportunities for utilizing waste reduction technology.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: food systems, waste management & recycling

Urban stormwater runoff is a complex mixture of pollutants originating from rooftops, pavement wear, tire wear, spills and leaks, organics from birds or animal wastes, and other chemicals. Traditional filtration and infiltration media-based stormwater treatment systems can be improved by using engineered media like activated carbon and biochar. This project explores the current state use of research on the pollutant removal efficiencies of these media and their application on field.  

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy, waste management & recycling, water

This project aims to determine the sources of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and better understand the environmental effects of microplastics when biosolids from WWTPs are used as a soil amendment. A database was generated, listing businesses that are likely contributors of microplastics to WWTPs in Vancouver. The database ranks those businesses in order of priority for intervention by Metro Vancouver.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: water, microplastics

This report explores the impacts of the climate crisis on mental health and wellbeing, specifically in the context of post-secondary education. The report includes a review of current research on the climate crisis and mental health, how the issue may be understood within post-secondary education, and the ways post-secondary institutions are currently addressing these issues. From a systemic understanding of mental health, the report then provides recommendations to guide further action.

Partner: UBC Sustainability Initiative
Keywords: social sustainability, sustainability in education, climate grief, climate anxiety

This project proposes the creation of a physical space on campus to provide programs and services aimed at increasing food security on campus and in the community. Through a process of community consultation, our results indicate strong support for the implementation of a physical food hub at UBCO. This report contains a literature review, results from an environmental scan and community consultations, and recommendations for next steps.

Partner: UBCO
Keywords: food systems, food security, food hub 

The project aims to examine and understand the application of certification programs and voluntary standards to inform the implementation of a healthy beverage designation program at UBC. The report contains information on best implementation practices in university campus and other settings, recommendations, and implementation and evaluation criteria for a designation program that will promote the consumption of healthy beverages on UBC campuses.

Partner: UBC Wellbeing
Keywords: food systems, leadership & behaviour change, water

The objective of this project is to assess the hazards and risks associated with the chemical ingredients used in patient care products in BC's health care facilities. A chemical screening framework that includes human health and environmental hazard criteria is utilized to assess the risk and further classify the chemicals into different hazard categories. A chemical ingredient inventory database and a recommendation of chemicals to avoid are also included.

Partner: Vancouver Coastal Health
Funded by: Fraser Health
Keywords: supply chain management & green procurement, waste management & recycling, zero toxicity 
 

This report lays the foundation for carbon accounting for Metro Vancouver's biosolids land application program by looking at historical work, interviewing industry professionals, and creating a list of considerations for future work. Future considerations include: soil carbon sequestration factors; biomass carbon storage; GHG emissions from soil, stockpiles, transport, and application; biosolids characteristics; fertilizer displacement; pre- and post-application field measurements; and regular monitoring.

Project Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy, waste management & recycling, biosolids

This project aimed to help TransLink assess the impacts of the proposed implementation of fare capping by studying consumer preferences and ridership impacts. It reviewed literature from behavioural science and transportation studies to examine how human behavioural biases influence transit ridership. Findings were used to design an experiment of how fare capping will impact ridership and customer perceptions of fares. Results will inform whether to pursue the implementation of fare capping.

Partner: TransLink
Keywords: transportation, leadership, mobility