Area of Focus: Community Resources

Niagara College students queue up to receive a delicious free breakfast courtesy of NC SAC
Prioritize effective resource management and recovery, working towards long term net-positive impacts and net zero carbon to support the global transition to a resilient, circular, socially just low carbon economy.

This area of focus outlines several core priorities, with goals and targets associated with each priority. These can be found in the Goals and Targets section below. The Actions table lists the actions that we plan to take to achieve our goals and targets. Every action in the actions table has additional information associated with it that connects that action to sustainability efforts. Scroll down to begin exploring this Area of Focus, or use the menu below to jump to a specific section.

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Message of Support

Danielle Notarianni Manager, Energy and Assets
I am thrilled to endorse our ambitious journey and targets outlined in the 2024-2029 Sustainability Plan. I am proud to be a part of this transformative endeavor, proving that through collaboration and commitment, we can build a more sustainable future. We have made progress in energy efficiency over the years and this plan fuels the commitment and effort required by us all to achieve these significant improvements to energy efficiency and carbon reductions on our path to net-zero.
Danielle Notarianni, Manager, Energy and Assets

Goals and Targets

Core Priority: Waste
  • Goal 8.1 Improve waste management practices to support the transition to a circular economy.
    • Target 8.1a Achieve an on-site waste diversion rate of 65% from 2011 baseline1.
    • Target 8.1b Achieve 65% diversion rate for construction and demolition waste from renovations and capital projects.
    • Target 8.1c Decrease bluebox material2 produced by Niagara College being sent off-site by 10%.
    • Target 8.1d Achieve a food waste capture rate of 70%.
Core Priority: Water
  • Goal 9.1 Increase efficiency of potable water consumption.
    • Target 9.1a Increase water consumption efficiency by 10% from 2011 baseline (m3/sm).
    • Target 9.1b Increase rainwater capture on-site.
  • Goal 9.2 Maintain surface water quality on campus and in the local watershed.
  • Goal 9.3 Increase access to clean drinking water for students and employees on campus and while in the community.
Core Priority: Energy
  • Goal 10.1 Increase energy efficiency to support the transition to long term net zero carbon emissions.
    • Target 10.1a Reduce intensity-based energy consumption (30% EUI ekWh/sm/year) from 2011 baseline.
    • Target 10.1b Increase on-site renewable energy generation to offset existing infrastructure (increase electrical generation by 500kW).
Core Priority: Food
  • Goal 11.1 Support programs that increase access to healthy and affordable food that are socially and culturally significant.
    • Target 11.1a Incorporate sustainable and local food practices into campus food-service operations.
    • Target 11.1b Increase support for programs that address student food insecurity.
    • Target 11.1c Increase quantity of food grown and distributed on campus and in the community.
    • Target 11.1d Increase vegetable, fruit, and herb seeds and plants to distribute on campus and in the community.
Indigenous communities, governments, and organizations in every region of Canada have been active developers of renewable energy projects over the past two decades. Today, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit entities are partners or beneficiaries of almost 20% of Canada’s electricity-generating infrastructure, and almost all of that infrastructure is producing renewable energy.
Indigenous Clean Energy, Waves of Change

Did You Know?

The NCSAC Nourishing Minds Programs helps ensure that all NC students never worry about where their next meal will come from. The Rise and Shine Breakfast program has served over 100,000 free breakfasts to students since 2015, and the Grocery Gift Card program has distributed over $200,000 in grocery gift cards to students since 2017.

— NCSAC Nourishing Minds Programs

SDGs in Action: SDG1, SDG2, SDG12, SDG17

There are 28 long-term drinking water advisories in effect in 26 First Nations communities in Canada.

— Indigenous Services Canada

SDGs in Action: SDG6

In September 2012, Niagara College banned the sale of bottled water on campus. The initiative initially stemmed from employee recommendations after hearing from keynote speaker, Maude Barlow, at the 2012 Day of Reflection. While banning bottled water has the obvious benefit of reducing waste from plastic bottles, it more importantly reinforces that everyone has the right—not the privilege—to clean drinking water, and it should not be sold as a commodity. To ensure continued access to clean drinking water on campus, hydration stations and water filling attachments were installed around campus, and all new students and employees receive a reusable water bottle.

SDGs in Action: SDG4, SDG6, SDG12

Actions

Tap and drag on table (mobile) or use horizontal scrollbar below the table (laptop) to view the full width of the table below.

ActionConnected
Priorities		TimelineLeadSTARS
in Action		SDGs
in Action		Greening TVET
in Action
Conduct annual hydration station and conditions assessment at both main campuses WaterShort-TermFacilities, SustainabilityOperations
(OP 21)		3, 6Campus
Conduct regular transportation surveys to identify service needs and ensure up to date commuting and modal split information Carbon,
Energy,
Emissions,
Governance		Medium-TermStudent Administrative Council, Planning Sustainability, Capital Projects, Planning & Institutional Research Operations
(OP 16)		11Culture,
Research
Create guidelines for energy conservation and efficiency best practices for different departments across Niagara College EnergyMedium-TermFacilitiesOperations
(OP 5)		11, 12, 13Campus,
Culture
Create tools, training, and other engagement materials to increase awareness of recycling and composting on-campus, including student residences, and how to properly sort waste WasteMedium-TermSustainabilityOperations
(OP 18)		12Campus,
Culture
Develop a strategy to improve water conservation practices for campus land management Land,
Water		Long-TermSustainability, Facilities, School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies Operations
(OP 21)		6, 9Campus,
Culture
Develop a strategy to reduce food waste on campus and increase the food waste capture rate WasteMedium-TermSustainability, Food Services providers on campusOperations
(OP 8, OP 18)		2, 12Campus,
Culture
Develop a surface water report card for the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus as part of the water quality monitoring program Land,
Water		Short-TermSustainabilityOperations
(OP 10)		6, 14Campus
Establish guidelines and communication materials to increase accessibility to low impact dining options, including plant forward and complete protein options  Climate Literacy,
Food		Medium-TermAncillary Services, Student Administrative Council, CulinaryOperations
(OP 8)		2, 3Campus,
Culture
Identify alternatives for problematic waste and plastic items, for example single use coffee cups, cutlery and take out containers WasteMedium-TermSustainabilityOperations
(OP 18)		12Campus,
Research
Identify ways to meaningfully support the Niagara Region Community Energy Plan Carbon Emissions,
Energy		Long-TermPlanning, Sustainability, Capital ProjectsOperations
(OP 10)		11, 17Community
Implement strategies to make it easier to access clean drinking water at on and off campus athletic and general events WaterShort-TermStudent Engagement, SustainabilityOperations
(OP 21)		3, 6Campus, Community,
Culture
Understanding Areas of Focus & Actions
UN Sustainable Development Goals Reference

Stories

Sean Kennedy and Marc Nantel hold a Garden Hub sign in front of the Hub with a United Way representative
United Way Niagara Garden Hub

The Niagara-on-the-Lake campus is home to the United Way Niagara Garden Hub. In their inaugural growing season, the Garden produced over 750 pounds of herbs and vegetables. This bounty was distributed to 14 different locations and was used to supply pop-up markets and food programs.

SDGs in Action: SDG2, SDG17

Two students work on waste audits on a laptop
Waste Audits by NC Students

Every year, students in the Waste Management course in the Environmental Management and Assessment program complete waste audits at the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses, weighing and sorting landfill, recycling, and compost waste to see how much and how well people are diverting materials away from landfill. Students not only gain valuable skills for job readiness but also contribute to Niagara College meeting Ontario waste regulations.

SDGs in Action: SDG4, SDG12

Representatives from NC and NOTL Hydro pose in front of large outdoor battery
Battery Donation from Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro

In November 2023, Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro donated a 250 kW industrial battery storage unit to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. This battery unit will be used for energy storage for peak demand management.

References

1 Identified as one of the sustainability metrics for the Niagara College Board of Governors annual reporting.

2 Ontario Bluebox Regulation (O.Reg. 391/21). https://rpra.ca/programs/blue-box/regulation/#:~:text=about%20the%20transition.-,Blue%20Box%20Materials,separate%20category%20for%20beverage%20containers.

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