A Green Guide: Resources at UBC to Explore Sustainability

Written by Kelly Chan, Sustainability Committee member

The sustainability scene at UBC is not only driven by teaching, learning, and research work, but student-run initiatives and programs open to the wider UBC community. In 2023, at UBC Vancouver alone, 82% of faculties offer courses centered around sustainability in their programs, there are 829 sustainability-related courses, and 101 applied projects have been implemented through the Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Sustainability program, which supports student research and brings together these students, faculty, staff and external partners to further the university’s sustainability goals (UBC Sustainability, n.d.-a, UBC Sustainability, n.d.-b). 

Outside of academia, the sustainability initiatives and programs are flourishing with the efforts and passion of students. Collectively, these help push and foster environmental and climate action, as well as raise more awareness towards sustainable practices that students can take part in whether on or off campus. 

So, what are some of these awesome resources? The list could go on and on, but below are a couple that I recommended taking a look at!

Green Buildings at UBC

Green buildings are more energy efficient, low carbon, and climate adaptive spaces, creating sustainable and healthy places for both human life and natural life (UBC Sustainability, n.d.-c). Check out these two resources to see which buildings at UBC are actually green buildings, or visit one the next time you are on campus! 

→ 8 Iconic Green Building at UBC

→ Green Building Directory

Sustainability in Student Residences

Moving out or looking for furniture? There are plenty of ways to ensure your move out or continued stay in residence are as hassle-free and sustainable as possible. 

→ UBC Furniture Reuse Program 

→ Mindful Move Out 

Recycle with Recyclepedia

As mentioned in previous blog posts, recycling is not always easy; some items make it hard for you to judge just exactly where they are supposed to be properly disposed of. Though, Recyclepedia, an interactive sorting tool, might help you out!

→ A-Z Recyclepedia Search

Additionally, the University Neighbourhood Association (UNA) Green Depot near the Wesbrook Community Centre is a good place to recycle those items that are more challenging to dispose of.

→ Green Depot - UBC Sustainability

→ Green Depot - UNA 

General Conservation and Sustainability Tips

UBC Sustainability has also created a list of tips to help individuals conserve water, energy, and travel more sustainably! These are great ways to practice sustainability in your everyday life and become more conscious of your individual consumption. 

→ Tips to Conserve Water

→ Tips to Save Energy

→ Travel Sustainably 

UBC Free Store 

Did you know that there is a free store right in the Nest? Operated by the Student Environment Centre, this is a place where any UBC student can feel free to donate what they no longer need or pick up something for themselves (UBC Sustainability, n.d.-d).

→ UBC Free Store - UBC Sustainability 

→ UBC Free Store - SEC

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Sources:

• UBC Sustainability. (n.d.-a). Sustainability Dashboards. The University of British Columbia. https://sustain.ubc.ca/dashboard/overview 

• UBC Sustainability. (n.d.-b). SEEDS Sustainability Program. The University of British Columbia. https://sustain.ubc.ca/programs/seeds-sustainability-program 

• UBC Sustainability (n.d.-c). Green Buildings. The University of British Columbia. https://sustain.ubc.ca/about/plans-policies-and-reports/2019-20-annual-sustainability-report/green-buildings 

• UBC Sustainability (n.d.-d). UBC Free Store. The University of British Columbia. https://sustain.ubc.ca/ubc-free-store