Sustainability Initiatives

Waste Reduction

We’re reducing our waste by:

• Running a recycling program
• Using double-sided printing and copying and choosing recycled paper
• Offering a composting program
• Offering porcelain or corn-based biodegradable dishware in cafeteria
• Installing air hand dryers in washrooms

Recycling Program

Selkirk College is in the process of upgrading our recycling stations. These new units are made of long lasting high density polyethylene (HDPE) made from 98% recycled content. They have three streams: recycling, refundable, and garbage. Selkirk College has co-mingled recycling, meaning this bin accepts paper, newspaper, cardboard, and clean plastics number 1 through 7.

Did you know that funds from the returnable pop bottles and cans go towards community members in need? Another reason to feel good about recycling these items!

Compost Program

Did you know that composting reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint?!

• Look for the green bins around the Castlegar campus to dispose of your organic waste.
• You can also bring your own organic waste from home. Drop off your sealed and labeled bins near the Earth Tub (G-Wing Parking Lot) on Mondays between 7 and 4 p.m. They will be emptied by our compost attendant. Then pick up your bin on Tuesday or Wednesday. This can become part of your regular weekly routine.
• Unlike large scale composting units, our compost system and the Earth Tub cannot accept EVERYTHING. Green is a go. Red is a no. Find out what is compostable...
• The output material is used on campus grounds and gardens.

Battery Recycling

The best way to ensure that batteries aren’t filling our landfills is to make sure they never get there.

You can recycle your batteries and cellphones on campus! Selkirk College is now a Call2Recycle collection partner. Look for the collection boxes set up outside IT on the Castlegar Campus and in the main office areas of Pateneaude on Tenth Street and outside the cafeteria at the Silver King Campus. Follow the simple instructions on the box -- bag it, seal it, drop it. It's that easy. Give your old batteries a new life!

Alternative Transportation

Carpooling

• Want to find a carpool? Kootenay Ride Share helps you get a ride or give a ride.
• Selkirk’s Castlegar campus has five priority parking spaces for carpoolers. Please register at the Welcome Centre to use these spaces.

BC Transit

• View the West Kootenay Transit System bus schedules and find a route near you

Facilities & Grounds

Facilities personnel are forward-thinking and are continually working to “green” our campus.

Did you know?

• Nelson student housing was built to LEED standards
• Castlegar student housing has solar panels
• The Mir Centre for Peace uses geothermal heating
• We have a college-side strategy to use external LED lighting
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been reduced by installing new boilers, HVAC systems and hot water on demand. A Direction Digital Control (DDC) system is used to adjust weekly and seasonal heating and cooling systems.
• Double-glazed windows have been installed on both the Castlegar and Silver King campuses
• Watering and mowing of campus grounds has been reduced
• Rain sensors are used for some of our sprinkler systems
• Pesticide and herbicide use has been eliminated and natural pest control measures are encouraged

Additional Initiatives

Fair Trade Campus

• Selkirk College was Canada’s first community college to achieve a Fair Trade Campus Designation.

• Fair Trade is an alternative approach to conventional trading methods, based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fair Trade programs work with disadvantaged farmers in the developing world to provide opportunities to help improve their lives through empowerment, fair wages, and safe working conditions. By choosing to purchase Fair Trade products, you are choosing a powerful way to help reduce poverty. Look for products on campus with the Fair Trade logo.