Nova Scotia Community College
OP-18: Waste Diversion

NSCC is committed to waste reduction at all of its campuses. Recycling and composting programs are active and additional waste diversion programs have been implemented at some of the campuses (ie, on-site composting, re-use of wood scraps, sawdust being collected and donated to local farms, etc.). In March 2012, Waste Diversion Rates were calculated for each of the 15 locations throughout Nova Scotia, with a combined average of 68%, ranging from 41% to 85%.Each campus has its own Waste Management plan. Each campus has sorting waste stations where students and staff can sort their waste accordingly. In an effort to better the Waste Diversion Rate, public waste audits are conducted where staff and students learn how to sort waste (ie., compost, recyclable, refundable, paper, etc). Additionally, many of the campuses have a "Pack it in, Pack it out" policy where staff and students are required to take their waste to recycling stations throughout the campus instead of providing each classroom with a waste receptacle.

Waste Diversion Rates (WDRs) calculated for all NSCC campuses combined average 68%, ranging from 41% to 85%. Although improvements are possible at many campuses, it can be stated that NSCC's WDR is high compared to the provincial average of 46%. During the 2011-2012 fiscal year, NSCC hired a third party to complete a waste audit of all campus locations. Due to recycling efforts of NSCC Burridge Campus, the 2012 Mobius Award of Environmental Excellence. This award is given to Nova Scotian organizations and individuals who have helped make Nova Scotia a leader in waste reduction, recycling, and composting.