Waste Reduction

The Green Depot offers an easy and accessible way for UNA and UBC Community members to responsibly dispose of a wide-variety of waste not accepted by residential waste recycling services.

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The Green Depot accepts all clean clothing and textiles, including rips and worn clothing and odd socks and shoes. Items are donated to Development Disabilities Association (DDA). DDA sells the items to Value Village and the funds are used towards their programs and services.

Yard Sales encourages community members to reduce unnecessary production and waste, by reusing and extending the life of material goods. The Yard Sales are one way in which the UNA builds community and reduces environmental and economic waste. The more hands an item passes through, the more environmental and economic value it provides. Reusing items keeps materials out of the landfills and oceans, and decreases costs associated with purchasing and disposing of multiple, new items.

Transportation

Bike share programs make bikes (and e-bikes) available to members of the public on a short-term basis. Bikes can be unlocked at one location and dropped off at other convenient locations across UBC campus and the City of Vancouver.

Bike share programs are a great option for more sustainable, short, one-way trips. Currently, both Mobi and HOPR bikes are available on UBC campus. The programs have multiple stations and specific passes for UBC neighbourhood members.

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Free charging is available to all Electric Vehicle (EV) users, through the UNA’s collaboration with BC Hydro’s Electric Vehicle Charging Initiative. By providing this service, the UNA is making it practical to own an EV or hybrid vehicle, significantly reducing the production of carbon emissions.

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The UNA has designated parking stalls for car-share vehicles throughout its neighbourhoods. This priority parking encourages community members to participate in car-share programs. This reduction in the number of vehicles on the road reduces the community’s emissions of greenhouse gases.

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Every year, the UNA and UTown@UBC team up to bring Walk’n Roll School Celebration week. Community volunteers lead a ‘walking-school-bus’ and a ‘bike train’ from each of the UNA neighbourhoods to the local elementary schools. These events encourage biking and walking to school and provide kids and parents with the education and the confidence to do so.

Food Sustainability | Community Gardens

The UNA has four community gardens, providing families and community members with the opportunity to produce their own food (as local as it gets!). Our gardens follow organic practices, which reduces harmful effects on the surrounding environment.

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Mason Bee Project

Mason bee structures and nests have been installed at Rhodo Community Garden, Hawthorn Community Garden, as well as the Children’s Garden at Old Barn Community Centre. These nests were built by families who participated in the UNA’s Mason bee nest-building workshop, run by community members. With these nests, we are supporting the native pollinators and the local plant populations!

Collaboration with the UBC Seeds Lending Library

The Seeds Lending Library is a free resource that eliminates the need for gardeners to purchase new seeds. The Lending Library also provides opportunities to learn about gardening, seed saving, and agricultural research and teaching at UBC. The Lending Library has participated in UNA community events, offering its services and expertise to UNA gardeners.

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Collaboration

 

We are continuously working to advance our practices and services to reduce our environmental impact while increasing the economic and social wellness of our community members. We strive to make it easier and more accessible for community members to incorporate sustainable practices into their own lives.