Sorting smarter: TMU’s Waste Wizard takes the guesswork out of waste diversion on campus
The science on climate change is clear–global patterns of unsustainable consumption, resource extraction and environmental degradation pose serious threats to Canadians through the loss of biodiversity and disruptions to social equity and our financial systems. As an institution with ambitious sustainability goals, Toronto Metropolitan University is championing initiatives aimed at reducing the university’s carbon footprint and encouraging community members to become stewards for the environment through sustainable waste management practices like reuse and circularity, recycling and composting.
In support of these efforts, over the next four weeks the Sustainability Office is running an educational waste management campaign and expanding and enhancing existing waste diversion programs on campus. Follow the Sustainability Office on Instagram (@tmusustainability (external link, opens in new window) ) for tips for adopting greener consumption and waste diversion habits in your personal life and when you’re on campus.
Our collective efforts support TMU’s Sustainability Action Plan goals
On Earth Day 2024, TMU launched its inaugural Sustainability Action Plan, outlining transformative actions we can take to build a more sustainable campus. Our five year plan sets out three ambitious, long-term sustainability goals, including becoming a zero-waste campus by 2035.
Sorting your waste just got even easier with the expansion of the Waste Wizard
With waste diversion and recycling practices differing across institutions and municipalities, we understand that it can sometimes be challenging to understand what waste goes where. To address this and make it easier for students, faculty and staff to help us reach our sustainability goals, just over a year ago the Sustainability Office launched TMU’s online waste sorting tool: the Waste Wizard.
Over the last few weeks, the Sustainability Office has been expanding the Waste Wizard program to an additional 250 four-stream waste receptacles on campus, making it even easier for community members to properly sort their waste. The Waste Wizard is here to help take the guesswork out of waste disposal on campus–just scan the QR at a waste receptacle to get started!
Why is sorting our waste important?
Improperly sorted waste contaminates our waste streams and undermines our diversion efforts.
Small, everyday actions are critical to achieving our zero-waste by 2035 goal
To meet our zero-waste goal, more than 90% of waste generated on campus will need to be diverted annually from landfill by 2035. With a waste diversion rate of 31.7% in 2022-2023, there’s still more work for us to do to reach our goal. That’s why TMU is encouraging community members to adopt sustainable waste management practices, including taking home gently-used items from the TMU Free Store or fixing broken items at the TMU Repair Workshop, and contribute to building a greener and more sustainable campus.
3 ways you can champion waste diversion at TMU
Make the 5 Rs of waste diversion a part of your regular routine
- Refuse: Say no to single-use and disposable items
- Reduce: Cut back on your use of non-recyclable materials
- Reuse: Repair damaged items and invest in reusable products
- Recycle: Metal, glass and mixed paper can all be easily recycled
- Rot: Compost organic materials to allow them to rot and break down
Learn what waste goes where on campus
TMU’s four-stream waste receptacles are a key element of our sustainable waste management practices. Our four-stream system separates waste into four categories: waste to landfill, bottles and cans, mixed paper and organics.
Visit the sustainability website to learn what items go in each of TMU’s waste streams.
When in doubt, consult the Waste Wizard
Unsure what waste stream an item belongs in? Instead of guessing and accidentally adding contaminants to a stream, let the Waste Wizard be your guide!
- Scan the Waste Wizard QR code at select four-stream waste receptacles across campus.
- Using the Waste Wizard, type in the name of your waste item.
- Dispose of the item in the correct waste stream.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Waste Wizard or waste diversion at TMU, please contact Sharmilla Raj, sustainability manager, at sustainability@torontomu.ca.