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
- 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
- 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Veritas Café (Waterloo)
- 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Golden Grounds (Brantford)
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- BYTE 75, Concourse, Science Atrium and Terrace Food Court
DIY Cosmetics Workshop
- 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.
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
- Noon to 1 p.m.
- Senate and Board Chamber
- 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Senate and Board Chamber
- 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