More than 25 ideas on how Algonquin could be more sustainable were unveiled by students from the environmental studies and business programs in the Commons on April 12.
Among the projects presented during the Approaches to Sustainability project was new sustainable initiatives on campus that included drinking dirty water.
That was done through the Life Straw, which is a product that purifies dirty water for safe drinking.
However, more than 40 sustainability projects were on display. Many of the projects focused on ways to improve the campus’ sustainability and green consciousness.
First-year business students Grant Wallace and Liam Harcus are interested in seeing the Marketplace cafeteria get reusable plates, cups and cutlery to be washed, and reused, instead of the disposable paper ones they use now.
“It will be less waste in landfills and positive effects on the environment,” said Wallace.
They believe that this initiative would help the environment as well as create potential student jobs on campus for dishwashers.
“On top of the environmental effects it also just makes for a nicer experience, I would much rather eat off a real plate,” he added.
Similarly, students Faith Brown, Shawna Brunner and Erin Humphrey believe that the solution lies in the cafeteria.
“Not enough people are using thermoses,” said Brunner.
The group conducted a survey that revealed that one in five students are bringing reusable mugs to school. Overall, there are 8,000 paper cups being sold on campus each day.
The group is suggesting that the cafeteria sell a cheap reusable cup option alongside the paper cups.
“It’s much more accessible this way,” said Shawna. “It’s right there when you’re thinking about your coffee.”
The group said that many colleges and universities in the United States have already started this initiative. They promoted it with the hashtag #killthecup.
“We want to bring this to Algonquin,” said Humphrey. “Why not make Algonquin the Canadian school that launches this idea?”
In addition to sharing and promoting their ideas in the Commons for the afternoon, the groups put together a full proposal letter, which they will be sending to the college in the hopes of having their initiative started.