Dalhousie University
ER-2: Student Sustainability Outreach Campaign

The Eco Olympics is a sustainability competition among more than 30 residences from various maritime universities. The first challenge and main event was the Residence Energy Consumption Challenge. Baseline week was from February 7-13. Watch our ‘Waste-Line’ Event: On Tuesday, October 19th, Dalhousie University’s Office of Sustainability and Facilities Management conducted a campus-wide waste audit. The audit took place between 1pm and 7pm at the campus warehouse and will consist of the waste from ten buildings, which will be weighed and sorted for contamination. Earth Hour: In a Clue style celebration of Earth Hour, Dalhousie hosted a live action Murder Mystery Party where the party guests became detectives trying to solve the mystery of an Earth Hour murder. LED Flashlights, donated by Efficiency Nova Scotia, helped the guests with their detective work. Accusations were cast, murderers revealed and rewards were given to those who accurately solved the mystery. Once the crime is solved, guests recover their lost Earth Hour, mingling and whispering in astonishment about the identity of the murderer by candle light long into the night. Sustain Dal Water: SustainDal’s water committee has been working since 2008 to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of bottled water at Dalhousie University. One million acts of green: In 2009, January 15 to April 15, Dalhousie University took part in the CBC Campaign "One Million Acts of Green." The project's intent was to mobilize Canadians to do One Million Acts of Green with the idea that one small change can translate into making a big difference. http://www.dal.ca/news/2009/02/02/million2.ht Re-Think: The rethink program focuses on friendly, educational and participatory challenges taking place throughout the year between rethink teams, individuals, departments, and residences. These challenges are centred around waste, transportation, energy, water, food and biodiversity issues. Awards and recognition for outstanding efforts throughout the year will be given at the annual sustainability celebration in April. Rethink for a Sustainable Campus is a practical campus action program where students and employees can make a difference to reduce ecological, economic, and health impacts; build a Dalhousie University culture of sustainability; and be sustainability leaders in our community. The Rethink University program has been inspired by Conserve Nova Scotia’s Rethink program for government employees. Dalhousie's Office of Sustainability launched the first phase of the rethink program in October 2009. http://office.sustainability.dal.ca/rethink/ Green Week: Green Week is run by the Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability Office, a student-run organization that strives to create a culture of sustainability within the DSU and at the university level. By encouraging communication within the student community the DSUSO will help identify, assess and address challenges of environmental sustainability on campus. http://www.dal.ca/news/2010/03/03/greenweek.html

Eco olympics measurable results Baseline week KwH for each residence: Eliza-Shirreff = 35164 Howe- Studley = 42616 Risley = 37524 Gerrard = 17704 Energy produced for week March 14-20 in KwH: Eliza-Shirreff = 35137 Howe- Studley = 42245 Risley = 37246 Gerrard = 17993 % change for each of the residences: Eliza-Shirreff = 0.999232169 Howe- Studley = 0.99129435 Risley = 0.992591408 Gerrard = 1.016323995 Watch our ‘Waste-Line’ Event: Waste was properly sorted for contamination and then placed in the correct waste stream, increasing waste diversion rates. General contamination was measured for all bags, but every 5th bag had its contamination broken down into specific groupings: paper, organics, recyclables, etc. One Million acts of Green: Dalhousie was in the top 10 for number of green acts committed. For example, student led initiatives during the campaign got people to exchange old light bulbs for energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. Dalhousie won the challenge with Acadia University, committing approx. 16,000 acts of green.