Zero Waste Week empowers Laurier students to go green

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Sustainability Office is inviting students in Waterloo and Brantford to participate in four days of programming dedicated to reducing waste. The office’s inaugural Zero Waste Week, taking place from March 4 to 7, will include events ranging from cooking classes and DIY cosmetics workshops to a tradeshow featuring demonstrations by local organizations.

The week of programming is designed to inform and empower students to reduce waste at home and on campus.
 
“Laurier generated 1,684 tonnes of waste in 2018,” says Tyler Plante, outreach and program coordinator in the Sustainability Office. “60% of our waste was diverted away from landfill, which is a great start, but we know we can do better. That’s why we've set a campus-wide target of reducing total waste produced by 5% and increasing total waste diverted from landfill by 10% by the year 2022. We think we can get there sooner if we all work together.”
 
The Sustainability Office is also giving away more than 65 prizes during Zero Waste Week, including 15 three-course dinners for two at Veritas Café. Registration is required for a chance to win the dinner prizes. Students can register online or in person, on Monday or Tuesday. The more Zero Waste Week events participants attend, the greater their chance of winning.
 
Visit the Sustainability Office’s Facebook page for more information. Zero Waste Week participants can also post to Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #ZeroWasteLaurier to enter daily prize draws.
 

Monday, March 4

Registration

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• BYTE 75, Concourse, Science Atrium and Terrace Food Court

Bin Blitzes

Visit our volunteers in the Concourse, Terrace Food Court, Science Atrium and BYTE75 to learn how to properly sort your waste on campus. Visit the Facebook event page for more information. 

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Concourse, Science Atrium and Terrace Food Court

Planet in Focus Film Festival Screening: Theater of Life

The Planet In Focus Film Festival will screen the feature film Theater of Life and the short documentary For the Love of Salmon. Snacks will be provided. Visit the Facebook event page for more information. 

• 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Science Building N1001

Tuesday, March 5

Mug Giveaway

• 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Veritas Café (Waterloo)

Mug Giveaway

• 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Golden Grounds (Brantford)

Registration

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• BYTE 75, Concourse, Science Atrium and Terrace Food Court

DIY Cosmetics Workshop

• 11 a.m. to noon
• Carnegie Building, CB100 (Brantford)
• Registration required

Mug Giveaway

• Noon to 4 p.m.
• BYTE 75, Concourse, Franks’, Science Atrium

Zero-Waste Cooking Class

Attend a zero-waste cooking class with a Fresh Food Company chef from Laurier Food Services.

• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Senate and Board Chamber
• Registration required

Zero-Waste Bingo with Twan

#ZeroWasteLaurier will host Wilf's Restaurant & Bar Bingo Night with Twan. Learn about sustainability and win Zero Waste Week prizes. Visit the Facebook event page for more information. 

• 10 p.m. to midnight
• Wilf’s

Wednesday, March 6

Zero Waste Fashion Showcase and Clothing Swap

Sustainable businesses will join in the Fashion Showcase and Clothing Swap. Bring a piece of clothing to swap and check out vendors throughout the day. Visit the Facebook event page for more information. 

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Senate and Board Chamber

DIY Cosmetics Workshop

• 11 a.m. to noon
• Senate and Board Chamber
• Registration required

Live Zero Waste Podcast Panel

• Noon to 1 p.m.
• Senate and Board Chamber

Repair Café Workshop

• 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Senate and Board Chamber

Upcycled Fashion Sprint

• 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Senate and Board Chamber

Thursday, March 7

Zero Waste Lifestyle Tradeshow

Vendors gathered in in the Lazaridis Hall Atrium will demonstrate how to move toward a zero-waste lifestyle. Demonstrations will be hosted by Region of Waterloo Waste Management, A Greener Future and the Laurier Sustainable Development Goals Hub. Visit the Facebook page for more information.

Region of Waterloo Demo

• 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Lazaridis Hall Atrium

A Greener Future Demo

• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Lazaridis Hall Atrium

Laurier Sustainable Development Goals Hub Demo

• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Lazaridis Hall Atrium

Friday, March 8

Grand prize: A zero-waste, three-course gourmet dinner

The more events you attend throughout Zero Waste Week, the better your chance to win a pair of tickets to this event, a gourmet, three-course dinner that includes a musical performance.

• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Veritas Café