If successful, program will roll out across campus in 2010
TORONTO, August 14, 2009 -- York University community members moving into the new York Research Tower located on the Keele campus will manage their own recycling and trash disposal as part of a new pilot project.
The Green Cleaning project, launched by York's Campus Services & Business Operations (CSBO), is expected to take three months to complete. Its success will determine whether a similar program will roll out across the university in 2010.
York Research Tower occupants, including senior management of the University, will not have garbage bins in their offices, only blue recycling bins. Three-sectioned recycling bins, known as Tri-bins, will be placed in central common areas and kitchens. Tower occupants will be responsible for depositing office paper products into their office blue bins, which they can empty when full into the common area paper bin. Other waste, including kitchen organics, may be deposited into a kitchen or common area Tri-bin.
Organic waste bins will be emptied daily, and paper, glass and plastic tri-bins will be emptied by custodial staff as required.
"This project coordinates with York University's environmental initiatives," says Joseph Sanguedolce, manager of custodial services. "We need to consider how much waste we produce, which is important given the City of Toronto initiatives and the growing concern about the environment."
In addition to the recycling initiative, CSBO is rolling out a green cleaning product initiative. The products used to keep the research tower clean are less corrosive, and will reduce airborne contaminants because the surfactants in the formulation rend the products environmentally acceptable as compared to historical product formulations such as bleach. The enzymes continue to work destroying unwanted germs for a longer period of time, which translates into a cleaner environment and reduced product usage.
"The green cleaning products are very effective disinfectants," Sanguedolce said. "New procedures for dispensing these products mean that we can be more accurate with mixing the cleaners, which are all biodegradable. As well, the storage jugs for these cleaners are 100 per cent recyclable."
The pilot project is part of the ongoing efforts to secure a silver Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the York Research Tower. An internationally-recognized green building rating system that was initially developed in the United States, the LEED Green Building Rating System requires the adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as more than 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 26 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.
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For further information, please contact:
Killeen Kelly, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100 x22938 / killeenk@yorku.ca
