A brand audit has been conducted since the start of summer 2024 at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus and Welland Campus of Niagara College to identify which brands contribute most to the waste stream, helping to enhance waste reduction, recycling programs, and sustainability awareness among students and staff. This targeted approach enables the implementation of effective waste management strategies and promotes more sustainable consumption practices. 

In an effort to strengthen its commitment to sustainability, Niagara College has been conducting a brand audit since the start of summer 2024. With a particular emphasis on certain brands and items, this thorough audit examines the types and sources of waste produced on campus. Through the identification of waste trends and contributing factors, the college intends to create focused plans for waste reduction and improved recycling operations. This targeted approach enables the implementation of effective waste management strategies and promotes more sustainable consumption practices. 

What is a Brand Audit?

A brand audit is a way of sorting waste based on its brand to examine the types and sources of waste produced on campus. It helps identify the companies responsible for waste found on campus and determines if the brand is sold by on campus vendors or not.

Why do we do it?

At Niagara College, a brand audit is vital because it identifies which brands are large contributors to campus waste. This information enables the college to make more informed decisions about waste management strategies, with a focus on increasing environmentally friendly packaging and products generated and sold on campus. The audit also functions as a teaching tool, raising students’ and staff’s awareness of the environmental impact of their consumption habits. By focusing on certain brands, Niagara College can develop more effective waste reduction initiatives that better match with its sustainability goals. Materials that wind up in the improper bins are also measured by the audit, which also allows staff and students to suggest enhancements like redesigned signage, education and communication initiatives, and more. 

How do we do a Brand Audit?

For conducting a brand audit, waste is collected from recycling and landfill bins present at various locations within the campus. The waste is sorted by hand based on its brand and product categories. Product categories include paper, paper packaging, rigid plastic packaging, flexible plastic packaging, metal, glass packaging, compostable packaging, and organics. After collecting the data, the parent companies of the brands are identified. Recommendations are made based on the results obtained regarding waste management strategies.

What we found!

The summer 2024 brand audit data identified Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI) is the parent company that was most frequently found on campus. Tim Hortons, a subsidiary of RBI and sold on campus, generated large quantity of disposable coffee and cold drink cups found during the brand audit. Encouraging the use of reusable coffee cups are among the suggestions made to lessen the waste produced by Tim Hortons customers. Depending on the activities held on campus, additional parent companies include Beavertails Canada Inc., Roark Capital, Kraft Heinz, Hormel Foods Cooperative, and Peak Rock Capital LLC were found. 

How To Get Involved!

Every other week, the Office of Sustainability organizes a brand audit on campus as a teaching tool and encourages students to participate and learn about waste management at NC. To get engaged, staff and students can register on the NC Engage app or visit the sustainability office (E104 at DJP Campus) to learn more.