Final Report

• Encourage Easy Sustainability:

  • Simplify recycling for students: The Village Townhouses only have one single recycling bin for all buildings A-J. I have requested three more multiple times from Canisius facilities department. Please make sure to increase accessibility.

  • Implement composting programs: Collaborate with the USA Sustainability Committee on developing a program with Farmer Pirates Composting. 

  • Increase awareness of initiatives like solar fields: This is one thing that our campus is committed to that is not shared about enough or at all. 

• Promote Sustainable Practices:

  • Embed sustainability in campus culture. 

  • Incorporate eco-friendly habits into everyday life. 

  • Establish trust with the community for initiatives like the East-West Community Garden.

  • Support the Clean Mobility Project for eco-friendly transportation options.

Enhance Campus Facilities:

• Install refillable water stations in all buildings.

• Make sustainable practices visible throughout the university: Your future students care about the future of our planet, making practices visible can be a huge selling point that aligns with the values of the institution. 

• Convert unused land into natural habitats like meadowlands.

• Provide more opportunities for students to cultivate lifelong eco-friendly habits.

• Phase out single-use plastics in vending machines, following the example set by SUNY: See my plan to phase out single use plastics from vending machines and catering here.

• Implement bird-friendly window treatments: Consult Dr. Lodi-Smith on her recent surveys

• Continuous Progress

  • Focus on one or two sustainability goals each year. 

  • Ensure sustainability is considered in policy reviews and long-term planning:  In the strategic plan though sustainability is implied in order for our campus to truly commit it is important to be stated to hold people accountable. 

  • Support initiatives driven by students.

• Leadership and Collaboration

  • Hire a Director of Sustainability to drive initiatives. 

  • Support initiatives aligned with the Laudato Si’ platform. 

  • Recognize leadership efforts in sustainability. 

  • Incentivize sustainable choices and limit paper usage: There is the current initiative for only 17 posting locations around campus to limit postering printing.

• Education and Community Building:

  • Educate the Canisius population on recycling and composting. 

  • Foster a community among those passionate about sustainability. 

  • Promote awareness and action, such as signing onto sustainable commitments and eliminating single-use plastic bottles.