Waste on Campus
Niagara College has identified waste as a priority area in the new 2024-2029 Sustainability Plan, including a 65% diversion rate target. This means, we aim to divert 65% of all waste materials generated on campus, away from the landfill stream through reduction, recycling and reusing. While we have reached this target multiple times since 2012, as seen in the annual waste diversion graph below, it continues to be an ongoing challenge to maintain, and we rely on everyone on campus to do their part by sorting waste into the proper bins.
There are many different ways on campus to divert your waste from ending up in the landfill. One of these is the four-stream waste bins. They consist of:
- Landfill stream
- Organics stream
- Recycling stream
- Coffee cups stream
Disposable coffee cups are one of the main culprits of contamination in the other waste streams. Coffee cups are not recyclable or compostable and need to be put in the landfill stream or the coffee cup stream.
If you’re still unsure of where to put an item to properly dispose of it, try looking in our What Bin Do I Put It In guide.
4-Stream Waste Bins Locations
The maps below illustrate the locations of the 4-stream waste bins on each campus. These bins are strategically located in common areas across both campuses to ensure people have access to all four waste streams when disposing of waste, maximizing the opportunity to divert waste properly. Individual waste bins in classrooms and offices are minimized to ensure efficient collection systems and equitable access to recycling and organics disposal.
Specialty Waste Diversion Programs On Campus
Oscar Sort on Campus
The new Oscar Sort smart recycling systems have arrived on campus! Thanks to a special partnership with NC SAC, we have rolled out these new waste sorting stations to help you sort your waste on campus. Don’t know where an item goes? Oscar can help tell you what bin that item should go it! Not only will this help break down barriers for students and the NC community to learn how to properly sort waste on campus, but it will provide detailed data to help support on-going engagement and communication activities. Want to visit one of these new waste station? You can find the locations below.
Welland Campus locations include:
- Cafeteria across from Tim Hortons
- Applied Health building across from Tim Hortons
Daniel J. Patterson in Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus include:
- Cafeteria near the entrance
- Main Floor East Wing outside Yerich
For more information about the Canada-based Oscar Sort systems by Intuitive AI you can visit the website by clicking here.
Annual Waste Diversion
Waste Diversion (%) – The percentage of materials by weight that are diverted away from landfill by being recycled, reused or composted. Niagara College has identified waste as a priority area in the new 2024-2029 Sustainability Plan, including a 65% diversion rate target. The graph below illustrates the annual waste diversion rate (%) from the 2011 baseline year compared to the 65% target.
To read more about the annual waste diversion at Niagara College, please see the waste audit reports.
Waste Audits
Niagara College conducts two types of waste audits: a solid non-hazardous waste audit compliant with O.Reg. 102/94 and a brand audit as described below.