The Martlet

The UVic Students’ Society Environmental Responsibility Committee (ERC) wants to get students  active and involved in the environmental movement – starting with the Student Union Building (SUB).

“We want to excite the students towards sustainability,” said UVSS Director of Services Christine Comrie, a member of ERC.

She said ERC’s  sustainability projects aim to expand the SUB’s composting program, provide more eco-friendly water and food options and emphasize cycling to prevent carbon dioxide emissions.

ERC is working toward placing nine waste bins around the SUB that are handmade and clearly marked with individual colours, pictures and braille for each area of recycling, composting and garbage. 

The design is meant to clearly define what goes where and to prevent mix-ups for SUB custodians, since poorly-marked waste bins can frustrate people  who would otherwise help with the recycling process.

“We just have to try and analyze what issues are affecting us and where we want to move in the future,” said Comrie.

Aside from making recycling easier, ERC plans a big push for better composting. 

Right now a company called Refuse picks up SUB compost, but ERC hopes to create an on-campus composting area to prevent the emissions that come from transporting compost products. After all, UVic wouldn’t turn up its nose to fresh compost soil.

“We have a lot of green space on campus,” suggested Comrie.

While cups and kitchen waste in the SUB are all compostable, there’s no compostable cutlery because the ERC is encouraging people carry their own set in their bags. Currently, ERC sells stainless steel water bottles and coffee mugs in Subtext to drastically reduce the temptation to buy bottled water.

They plan to have a “hydration station” placed at the entrance of the SUB by next year for students and others who bring their own bottles.

ERC has helped SUB outlets offer locally sourced food since last year, and succeeded in making sure food is provided from the Cowichan Valley, including meat.

Although organic food is not necessarily an option, ERC claims it has drastically reduced the SUB’s carbon footprint by supporting local produce. Comrie points out that many organic food options would have to be sourced from far away farms in New Zealand and California.

“I think local first and foremost, and organic if possible,” said Comrie in regard to ERC’s outlook on local versus organic food.

This year, ERC has shifted focus from previous  bus appreciation days to bike appreciation days in an effort to emphasize the greater carbon neutrality of biking on a daily basis.

ERC also works in close partnership with SPOKES, UVic’s bicycle bursary system.

Last year, ERC donated $750 to the program.

Together, the ERC and SPOKES  organizations run road workshops, bike repair clinics and a Bike Pride event, where participants take pictures with their bikes after getting them all cleaned up.

Comrie encourages students to get involved with ERC, as the group is laid-back and welcoming to new members and their ideas.

She also said ERC may be able to provide opportunities for students to develop their skills at sustainability-themed conferences if funding is available.

She feels ERC has been very successful in fostering active student involvement in sustainability projects so far, pointing out that the sustainability bulletin board helps keep students in the know with what’s new.

“Everyone’s really keen on the environment right now,” Comrie said. “So it’s nice to feel you’re moving in a positive direction.”

ERC meets at noon, mid-week.

To get involved, get on the e-mail list by shooting an e-mail to services@uvss.uvic.ca.