Water use and waste reduction
Water use
At NSCC, we acknowledge our responsibility to our communities includes the responsible management of water resources. Over the past 15 years, NSCC has taken significant steps to reduce water consumption across our sites in Nova Scotia. As of this year, our water use has decreased by 81,208 m3 compared to our 2008 baseline. To put this into perspective, this reduction is equivalent to the amount of water in 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
As NSCC continues to grow and provide more campus housing opportunities, our goal is to minimize the impact this will have on our water usage, despite the additional demand for activities like bathing and laundry that come with campus living. To achieve this, the College will focus on installing low-flow appliances and educating building occupants about water conservation. The new Akerley Campus housing building will be NSCC's first housing facility to monitor water consumption for residents. This will help the college better understand how our students use water and support the development of water reduction strategies for on-site living.
Responsible water management extends beyond conservation efforts. With shifting weather patterns as an effect of climate change, Nova Scotia can anticipate more frequent and heavier rainfall events, potentially leading to increased flooding. Being prepared to manage stormwater and reducing the amount of runoff from our campuses are crucial steps to ensure minimal operational disruptions, reduced infrastructure damage, and benefits for the community. NSCC intends to establish a framework for campus resilience planning, identifying opportunities to address vulnerabilities in stormwater management.
Water use goals for 2023/24
- Continue to ensure high-quality drinking water is accessible to all building occupants through maintenance of hydration stations.
- Work towards eliminating the sale of bottled water on every campus by 2026.
- In 2023 launch a feasibility study to provide a community drinking water dispensary in Shelburne. This water supply will help address historical water quality problems in this community.
Recap of 2022/23
- Water use was reduced by 59% over 2008 levels.
Water use reduction
This year NSCC used 59% less water than we did in 2008!
NSCC is proud to report that in 2022/23, we have reduced our water usage by an impressive 59% compared to our 2008 baseline. We have achieved significant reductions in water consumption through ongoing efforts to upgrade plumbing fixtures and appliances and implement the latest water efficiency standards in new construction. We remain committed to doing our part to conserve this precious resource and will continue to explore ways to reduce our water footprint further.
Bottled water
The bottled water industry is a large market that grows yearly. However, this industry has negative environmental impacts that are complex. These impacts include substantial greenhouse gas emissions from bottle manufacturing, transportation, and cooling. Moreover, plastic bottles significantly contribute to the global plastic waste problem.
NSCC provides a cost-free and safe alternative to bottled water for our building occupants. We have strategically placed water bottle fill stations across our campuses for the convenience of building occupants. These stations filter the water, and we consistently test it to ensure it meets the highest quality standards.
Community Well Project
As climate change continues to impact communities across our province, building resilience and adapting to new challenges is becoming increasingly important. In the community of Shelburne, dry and contaminated wells have become a significant issue. To combat this, the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) is conducting a feasibility study to use an existing well at the Shelburne campus as a pumphouse station for the community. This innovative project could provide a sustainable solution to the town's water challenges while demonstrating the importance of collaboration and community-driven action in the fight against climate change.
Waste management
At NSCC, we are committed to reducing waste and minimizing our environmental impact. Our approach to waste management involves an integrated approach that prioritizes waste reduction while consistently auditing and improving waste diversion through education and tracking.
This year the sustainability team offered new opportunities to educate building occupants on waste management strategies, including bulletin boards, social media posts and presentations. Additionally, this year waste audits were performed in high-traffic public spaces to encourage awareness of waste management.
Waste reduction goals for 2023/24
- Enhance campus waste audit participation by mobilizing dedicated volunteers and fostering greater engagement.
- Promote campus waste reduction and diversion awareness through impactful presentations and interactive, hands-on learning experiences.
- Implement a comprehensive College-wide initiative to eliminate all single-use plastic cutlery.
Recap of 2022/23
- Offered new education opportunities about waste management to improve waste diversion rates.
- Encouraged active participation from staff and students in waste audits.
- Implemented waste sorting training into Campus Housing Assistants training week.
Waste reduction and diversion
At NSCC, we prioritize waste reduction as the most effective waste management approach, choosing products with minimal or no packaging to avoid contributing to landfills and energy-intensive recycling processes. Supporting the federal government's vision of zero plastic waste by 2030, we have taken a decisive step to eliminate single-use plastics across all our campuses, such as coffee cups, stir sticks, straws, and condiment packages. This crucial action significantly reduces waste generation and its potential burden on landfills. We also encourage everyone to do their part in reducing waste in their daily lives. We can all contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future by adopting a zero-waste lifestyle and making more sustainable choices.
NSCC's current waste diversion rate is 67%.
Waste diversion is the process of removing resources from the pathway to the landfill. A key way that NSCC diverts waste on campus is through our comprehensive composting and recycling programs. NSCC audits all our campus waste systems to determine how much waste is diverted at our Campuses. Most of our campuses offer a five-stream waste sorting system with the opportunity to divert resources to organics, recycling, refundable recycling, and paper recycling. During the 2022/23 period, NSCC successfully diverted 67% of our waste from landfills.
Living on campus and waste
At NSCC, we're constantly working to improve our campuses and provide more housing options for students across the province. As we expand our network, we face new waste management challenges. Living on campus requires a different waste diversion and reduction approach, so we're developing a functional waste-sorting system for students. This system benefits our facilities' operations and provides an opportunity to educate students on sorting their day-to-day waste properly. Students are responsible for sorting their waste in designated areas on each dormitory floor to ensure effective waste management.