Yorkwise is a university-wide initiative to support sustainability and quality of life on campus.   It promotes best practices and encourages us to join in and support local efforts that embrace the greener approach to life at York.

Our Key Areas of Focus:
	Energy Conservation:  Includes Res Race to Zero (residence students) and Unplug (Faculty/Staff).  This ties into York’s broader Energy Management Program with goal of 25% reduction.
	Waste Management:  Includes ZeroWaste and support for initiatives such as 20 minute campus clean up.  This is tied to York’s goal of 65% of recycled waste by 2013 and Green Cleaning Initiative.

Did you know that 59% is the current amount of recycled waste on York’s Keele campus?

York’s new ZeroWaste initiative aims to reduce the waste generated every day to reach 65% by 2013.  This equals 200+ metric tonnes of additional diverted waste each year.  On top of saving the environment, the costs for collecting, trucking and related fees are a ‘waste’ of York’s resources.

How will we achieve this? 
By informing our community of new practices and encouraging each member to be responsible for their actions.

New - Communal pick up of recycling, waste and organics:
Did you know there is evidence that waste is reduced when people empty their own recycling and garbage bins?  North American studies show that individual volumes decrease with awareness and monitoring.  New organic bins will help divert organic waste that used to go straight to the garbage bin. 

Challenging the Community: 
By providing ‘best practices’, we have a choice to responsibly manage and reduce the daily waste we generate. Think about it.  Every non refillable cup of coffee, piece of paper you print, your local kitchenette practices, or what you might recycle instead of putting in the waste bin.

Do you have a good idea about how to reduce waste?  Please share it and send it to psathas@yorku.ca.