Today, April 22, is Earth Day. RRC Polytech has identified sustainability as one our of core values in the 2022-26 Strategic Plan: In Front of What's Ahead and celebrates this day to encourage action toward a more sustainable and healthy future for our planet.
Back in November RRC Polytech became the first post-secondary in Manitoba to sign the SDG Accord, committing to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - including urgent calls to action to tackle climate change across the globe.
The Sustainability Office launched the Sustainable Development Goals Student Competition earlier this year, encouraging students to submit projects that support one of the 17 SDGs. Today we will host a celebration for the winning projects in the Roundhouse at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae. Learn more about the competition and the celebration event here.
In addition to signing the SDG Accord, RRC Polytech has made some significant progress in relation to established sustainability initiatives including:
- Composting - we've diverted waste from our kitchens away from landfills with 25 tonnes diverted from PGI kitchens and 40 tonnes total from PGI and NDC combined.
- Print Reduction - we're using 5 million fewer sheets of paper per year compared to five years ago - a 75% overall reduction.
- Net Zero Efficiency - we've been recognized with the prestigious Canada Green Building Council - Excellence Award for New Construction for Manitou a bi Bii daziigae.
- Applied Research - we continue to work with our partners to produce numerous successful projects through our Technology Access Centres (TAC) and other research initiatives.
- Waste Audit of Campuses - our sustainability team undertook an audit earlier this year to better understand the waste produced by our campuses and how we can further reduce it.
- Transportation Audit - we've completed a transportation audit to determine how staff and students are getting to and from our campuses and to identify opportunities to support sustainable transportation.
These and more projects across our campuses help fulfill this commitment to a sustainable future. RRC Polytech is committed to demonstrating economic, social, and environmental resiliency for generations to come which includes inspiring values of sustainability in students and staff. One such project is a new addition to the Portage la Prairie campus which gives students the opportunity to learn to grow their own food.
Last year, the Portage la Prairie Campus installed a hydroponic garden thanks to funding from the Campus Well-Being team. The tower garden is housed in the Student Lounge and has allowed students to start a plant from a seed, see it grow and learn how to harvest it.
The Tower Garden is an aeroponic system that self-waters and operates grow lights on a timer, and Guy Moffat, Portage Regional Campus Manager, says the greenery brightens the space and the sound of the water running through the center of the garden has a calming effect - giving it a dual purpose of supporting the well-being of students too.
They are now on their second growing cycle and have been growing basil, arugula, bib lettuce, gourmet lettuce, and kale. Plans for a third cycle include planting cherry tomatoes, herbs, and some edible native Manitoba flowers.
There are many things you can do to create a positive impact this Earth Day:
- Take an active mode of transportation - click here to learn more about how you can cycle to campus,
- Reduce waste,
- Bring your own water bottle and use water refill stations - RRC Polytech recognizes that all of our water comes from Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation,
- Start a garden like the students in Portage la Prairie,
- Or take part in a community clean up.
Don't just celebrate Earth Day today, take care of our planet all year round too. Learn more about initiatives happening at the College on our Sustainability blog.
Get involved in sustainability initiatives at RRC Polytech by reaching out to sustainability@rrc.ca.
