Sustainability Framework
Aligning with the Queen’s Strategy, the Housing and Ancillary Services’ Sustainability Framework records important drivers of progress across the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings Methodology. Through collaboration with stakeholders across the portfolio and Queen’s campus partners, H&A strives to build innovatively and positively contribute to goals in all 17 SDG areas
Inspired by UN SDG 17, to "strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development," representatives across H&A and the campus community work together providing strategic direction and recommendations for evaluating, planning, developing, communicating, and implementing sustainable initiatives at Queen’s. H&A’s work is supported by the department’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, a sub-group of Queen’s Sustainability Working Group and Sustainable Queen’s.
The following university planning documents guide and frame our priorities:
- Queen’s Climate Action Plan
- Queen’s University’s Official Strategy
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Queen’s Campus Wellbeing Framework
H&A welcomes opportunities to expand partnerships with campus and community groups with a shared vision to make a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
Leadership Commitment
Housing and Ancillary Services (H&A) commits to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) across the department and has made significant strides in different areas across the portfolio. Sustainable development is a collective responsibility, and we call upon our leadership teams, staff, and community members to engage, invest, and commit to progressive, sustainable goals that will significantly mobilize efforts towards these objectives.
H&A commits to prioritizing sustainable operational practices and prioritizing goal setting as part of our Senior Leadership Team’s annual Professional Development Planning and for accountable reporting in the Sustainability Framework.
Each section of the framework is laid out by SDG’s that highlights key milestones and quantitative progress across various sustainable initiatives year over year.
H&A 2026-2027 Goals
- Complete the design work for Ban Righ private washrooms and HVAC.
- Track and increase the number of hot beverages and fountain drink purchases in reusable mugs from select proprietary retail food locations (franchises excluded) with a goal of increasing by 10%.
- Expand campus catering and bar services promotion and selection of mocktails, in support of harm reduction.
- Implement a Property Viewing Program, offering students not local to the area the opportunity to have a personal property viewing conducted on their behalf by a trained peer.
- Implement new processes, software, and promotional TVs at residence buildings and An Clachan to reduce the use of paper for event promotion and important messaging to tenants.
- Explore opportunities to establish additional smudging spaces in residence buildings.
- Improve the quality, functionality, and accessibility of residence green spaces for students, staff, summer guests, and visitors.
SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Over 10% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty, unable to fulfill the most basic needs – food, health, education, access to clean water and sanitization. By giving people from poor backgrounds quality education, they help to remove intergenerational poverty.
The ability to feed the world is a key element of sustainable development. If done right, agriculture, forestry and fisheries can provide nutritious food for all. At the same time, it can ensure rural development with people at the centre of the process, supporting the incomes of those who rely on agriculture.
- Partnered with Health Promotion and Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) to distribute a total of 260 free mason jar meals to graduate students of an An Clachan and John Orr Tower.
- Over the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, PEACH Market operated for 147 service days and distributed 14,549 portions, including 142 entrées and 27 soups. Portions served increased by approximately 20%, from 6,871 in 2024-25 to 8,252 in 2025-26.
| Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
| # of meals utilized through Swipe it Forward by students facing food insecurity | 6,127 | 6,190 | 5,058 | -18% |
| # of students who accessed Swipe it Forward | 272 | 268 | 307 | +15% |
| #Lbs. of food rescued & donated to local food banks and community partners | 42,068 | 50,847 | 33,296 | -35% (decrease due to food waste reduction efforts) |
| # of meals served at PEACH Market | 6,063 | 6,585 | 8,236 | +25% |
Educate students about responsible food consumption, available campus food access resources, and ways to support peers in need through available initiatives.
Offer a reduced-cost food option for students and staff on campus to receive a healthy warm meal, made fresh daily through Hospitality Services’ Just in Time Initiative and the Whole Bowl program.
Support and accommodate events with different budget requirements with affordable catering options through Event Services, the University Club, Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre, and Campus Catertrax.
Continue to support individuals facing food insecurity on campus through redistributing food rescue from across campus to the PEACH Market.
SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being at all ages is essential to sustainable development. There is an urgent need to fully eradicate a wide range of diseases and address many different persistent and emerging health issues.
- Opened a sensory room in Endaayaan ̶ Tkanónsote with a soft launch in Winter 2026 and a program plan that aims to expand supports and experiential opportunities for neurodivergent students will be implemented in Fall 2026.
- Established a smudging space in Endaayaan ̶ Tkanónsote in collaboration with the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre.
| Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
| Average # of social media accounts ‘’ posts reached | 3,100 | 2,129 | 5,569 | +162% |
| # of student appointments with the Registered Dietitian | 251 | 324 | 308 | -5% |
| # of students with food allergies or special dietary needs supported in residence | 801 | 718 | 771 | +7% |
| # of students in Living Learning Communities and Unique Communities | 779 | 698 | 480 | -31% |
| # of annual residence programs | 1,443 | 4,968 | 3,020 | -39% |
| # of residence student accommodation requests (health and non-health) | 1,183 | 934 | 1,067 | +14% |
| # of community events held at An Clachan | 160 | 147 | 142 | -3% |
- Ensure all Hospitality Services managers/supervisors have completed mental health training and mandate as a requirement for all new hires.
- Continuation of a pet friendly residence community at Jean Royce Hall.
- Enhance the connectedness of the An Clachan community through events including cross-cultural exchange and learning opportunities, English conversation groups, diverse social gatherings, cultural celebrations, and a digital newsletter.
- Offer Living Learning and Unique Communities to first-year students through the residence application process. LLCs are unique faculty or interest-based floors or clusters of rooms where students with similar values live together and engage in creative, social, and educational programming related to the topic of their specific community.
- Help students get involved through diverse events and educational initiatives in residence in collaboration with campus partners to help get students involved. Educational initiatives focus on; Health/Mental Health, I-EDIAA, Community Building, Pride Week, etc.
- Provide resources and support for students requiring accommodation through the Residence Support Coordinator.
- Offer ongoing health and wellness outreach to students with food allergies and dietary needs through Hospitality Services’ Registered Dietitian who provides guidance in making safe, nutritious, and informed meal choices.
- Use "Eat Wellâ„¢" icons and dietary identifiers on menu boards to easily help students identify items that meet specific nutrition criteria and dietary needs.
- Provide students with access to trained dining hall chefs available on-site to address immediate dietary questions and encourage them to always 'Ask Before You Eat'.
- New
- Completed
- Increase the promotion of mocktails through expanded offerings to support harm reduction.
- Establish additional smudging spaces in residence buildings.
- Campus Partnership annual meetings are a new implementation to help build connections, create consistency year over year, and help find opportunities for new initiatives.
SDG 4: Quality Education
A high-quality education should be an area where universities excel. Education is a key gateway out of inequalities, especially multi-generational ones. In addition to improving quality of life, access to inclusive education can help equip locals with the tools required to develop innovative solutions to the world’s greatest problems.
- Collaboration between Community Housing and to offer weekly early childhood education programming in the An Clachan community room.
- Provide educational outreach to students on nutrition, wellness, cultural dining, and sustainability through the Registered Dietitian’s collaborative work with campus partners such as the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Athletics & Recreation, Sustainable Queen’s and Residence Dons to deliver presentations, events, and interactive activities in residence dining halls to help empower students.
- Provide peer-to-peer engagement surrounding sustainability initiatives on campus through Student Sustainability Ambassador positions to provide education on wasteless dining, use of the GOOD TO GO Reusable Container Initiative, Fair Trade, and more.
- Offer continued learning opportunities for students to join one of the Housing and Ancillary Services advisory committees so that campus community members can share their passion, knowledge, and insight to help shape a positive ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ experience.
- Share cross-campus partner educational resources via student newsletters and social media campaigns to enrich students' academic success, mental health, well-being, and sense of belonging while attending ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥.
- New
- Completed
- The student newsletter format was updated to better share student-focused campus resources, and a guide is being developed to help campus partners submit clear, relevant content and strong images.
- Create educational opportunities for residence students around personal resource consumption related to water and energy use.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
Women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world. Gender equality is a fundamental human right, and a foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Providing women and girls with equal access to education is a key part of delivering gender equality, but universities also have a wider role to drive forward gender equality in their communities.
| Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
| # of students who have completed It Takes All of Us (98% completion rate including Don's and ResSoc) | 4,454 (96%) | 4,605 (99.4%) | 4,650 (90%) | +0.9% |
- Reduce the financial barriers that only women experience by providing access to free menstrual products through dispensers in residence buildings in partnership with the Residence Society.
- Operate two all-female identified residence buildings offering 178 beds in Adelaide Hall and Ban Righ Hall.
- Mandatory completion of It Takes All of Us by residence students and live-in staff.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Without water we can’t live. Water supports our agriculture and aquaculture. Clean water is vital. However, due to bad economics or poor infrastructure, millions of people including children die every year from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.
- Offer free drinking water from 190 drinking fountains and 75 bottle filling stations across campus installed by Sustainable Queen’s to help support access to free and sustainable drinking water.
- Provide free filtered and sparkling water through installed by Hospitality Services in all dining halls and three retail locations.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
After water and food, energy is one of the key enablers of human life. Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today and access to energy for all is essential. But energy needs to be available and affordable to all to allow future development, and it needs to be clean in order to ensure that the development can be sustainable.
- Advance sustainable development practices in all new building construction and manage infrastructure redevelopment projects for long-term sustainability and reduction in energy consumption following these practices:
- Follow recommendations outlined in retrofit feasibility studies and revitalization planning processes for, Leonard Washrooms, and Waldon Tower.
- Use LED lighting, install exhaust air recovery systems, natural gas generators, and high-efficiency water heaters/boilers where possible.
- Replace end-of-life equipment, appliances, and lighting with Energy Star-rated fixtures.
- A Preventative Maintenance plan has now been put in place for all Hospitality location equipment - providing greater life expectancy and reducing the use of energy and/or water.
- Regularly inspect and maintain all H&A units and building facilities to ensure safe and efficient operations.
- When feasible/possible, integrate natural gas generators, low-flow showerheads, and toilets; replace oil furnaces with gas; upgrade sewage pumps; replace select water-cooled fridges in dining halls with air-cooled fridges; install energy-efficient HVAC models and window replacements; and replace old hot water tanks in all residence buildings with on-demand tanks.
- New
- Completed
- Replace incandescent and florescent lighting with LED to improve energy efficiency, mitigate obsolescence, and reduce mercury loading in our facilities.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Decent work in safe and stable conditions is a vital component of helping people out of poverty, with the related aspects of reducing hunger and increasing health. The rise of precarious employment, modern slavery, and uneven growth has created threats to a sustainable future. Universities as employers can lead the way, as teachers can educate for the future, and as innovators can develop new and fairer ways of working.
| Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
| Return rate for ICOUNT ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Equity Census | 68% | 86% | 83% | -3% |
- Actively work to increase our participation in the Queen’s Equity Census ICOUNT as a vital step towards building a more equitable and diverse environment.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
- 6 electric vehicle charging stations have been added to the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre.
- Promote good stewardship for heritage preservation and conservation of Community Housing’s 19 University district properties which are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and recognized by the City of Kingston.
- Assess current infrastructure and look to make more accessible spaces as possible.
- New
- Completed
- Install an accessible door operator in Ban Righ public washrooms.
- Complete design work for Leonard Hall's private washrooms
- Revitalization planning for Gordon Brockington residence to increase accessibility features.
- Support inclusive and sustainable decision-making by participating in the consultation committee for Grant Hall improvements.
- Promote good stewardship for architectural preservation and conservation of Residence buildings, the University Club, and the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre (that are not protected by the Ontario Heritage Act or heritage recognition by the City of Kingston) to preserve the architectural heritage of Kingston's built environment.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Equity needs to underpin every aspect of sustainability if the objectives of the SDGs are to be met. Disadvantaged groups are both more likely to be unable to take advantage of progress and suffer from the effects of climate change.
- The University Club received
- Kosher products were introduced to vending machines on campus in January 2026, with 900 products sold during the second semester.
| Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
| # of religious/cultural observances recognized in residence dining halls | 13 | 13 | 14 | +8% |
| # of I-EDIAA related events in residence education programming | 24 | 23 | 20 | -13% |
| # of OCLA events aimed at expanding reach to equity deserving student groups | N/A | 113 | 165 | +46% |
- Hospitality Services, Event Services, and DGHCC will maintain .
- Ongoing dietary support is provided for religious and cultural observances, with continued work to enhance inclusive dining environments.
- Event Services Managers complete 'From Diversity to Inclusion in the Workplace' Certificate
- OCLA will continue meaningful partnerships with equity deserving student groups through Housing Talks and other events.
- Continue to work toward having a workforce representative of the 4 federally designated groups and using and tracking through QEAP tool (¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Equity Appointment Process)
- Multi-user washrooms in residence buildings are being converted from single-user to all gender facilities over time.
- The Annual Indigenous Fund, established through the Cold Beverage Agreement with input from a working group of campus stakeholders.
- The leadership team participates in efforts to eliminate discrimination, injustice, and violence, engages communities in dialogue and action, and completes training offered through the Human Rights and Equity Offices and Human Resources to build and support inclusivity in the workplace.
- An early arrival option is offered for international students and Jewish students observing Shabbat.
- The Housing and Ancillary’s I-EDIAA Plan, is updated across four dimensions: People, Spaces, Services & Programs, Principles & Values, outlining core initiatives and the next steps to support inclusivity in the workplace.
- IT Services supports accessible employee workspaces with assisted technology hardware and software solutions, ergonomic keyboards, standing desks, visual readers, hearing support, and other tools that meet individual needs.
- Event Services professionals support organizers in meeting attendees' accommodation requirements and dietary needs, including menu planning, all gender and accessible washrooms, breastfeeding spaces, prayer rooms, adjustable workstations, hearing assistant devices, etc.
- Residence Admissions provides one-on-one student support for living accommodations and collaboration with Hospitality Services and the Registered Dietitian to support students with food allergies and dietary needs on the mandatory Residence Meal Plan.
- Campus student groups with diverse cultural backgrounds are consulted when planning dining and residence events and programming, particularly around cultural food supports and celebrations around significant periods, such as Lunar New Year, Passover, Ramadan, Diwali, and more.
- Websites are maintained in compliance with requirements.
- New buildings are designed to meet accessibility requirements established by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
- When viable, older residence buildings and Community Housing properties are retrofitted to enhance door operations, wheelchair access points, and accessible audio and visual supports in office and meeting spaces.
- Provide barrier-free living options and up to 45, OBC-accessible rooms in Endaayaan – Tkanónsote with accessible entrances, elevators, accessible washers & dryers on each floor and a service Animal washing station.
- New
- Completed
- Install a Welcome Wall in the Endaayaan – Tkanónsote lobby to celebrate the Indigenous and international languages spoken by our campus community.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Cities and communities must themselves be sustainable. More and more of the world’s population lives in urban centers, and this is often the home of universities. Cities can be great places of innovation and opportunity, but they can also be home to intense poverty and inequality. Housing and Ancillary Services make Kingston and Queen’s Community inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Proposal and approval of the Off-Campus Living Advisor, Off-Campus Property Viewing Program for international and exchange students to offer the opportunity for students to have confidence in making rental decisions from a distance. Program implementation in 2026-27.
Installed access control on the courtyard doors of both Leggett and Watts Hall to facilitate access to outdoor amenity spaces for the building's residents. Direct access to these two spaces by residents was previously difficult, and the spaces were not utilized.
| Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
| # of inquiries and appointments supported by the OCLA | 1,510 | 2,531 | 2,153 | -15% |
| # of attendees to off-campus housing events | 4,606 | 6,991 | 7,050 | +0.8% |
- Provide below market rental rates at An Clachan and John Orr Tower and utilize a lottery allocation system exclusively for students in graduate and professional programs attending Queen’s.
- Offer market comparable accommodations within walking/cycling/bus distance of the university district and operate an for local landlords to publish available student rental properties.
- Promote sustainable and active transportation by providing secure exterior bike compounds at An Clachan and Jean Royce Hall and secure interior bike storage for up to 120 bikes at Endaayaan – Tkanónsote.
- Support students evaluating off-campus housing, tenant rights and responsibilities, and moving resources through the Off-Campus Living Advisor (OCLA). The OCLA offers:
- Confidential one-on-one and group appointments to guide students when considering off-campus living arrangements.
- Scheduled housing talks, socials, and digital off-campus housing presentations.
- Monthly newsletters covering budgeting, lease agreements, searching for a house, safety at home, housemate conflict resolution, etc.
- Provide accommodation support to our community during times of need by:
- Offering affordable nightly summer accommodations options.
- Reduced summer accommodation rates for families supporting patients in Kingston hospitals.
- Emergency spaces for students in crisis and individuals where natural disasters have impacted living environments.
- Support dedicated green space and outdoor garden boxes for An Clachan residents and others in west campus community housing for members to 'grow' their gardening skills, connect with like-minded people, and support sustainable living practices.
- Investment in video recording across residence buildings to assist with investigation response to incidents.
- New
- Completed
- New Off-Campus Property Viewing Program for international and exchange students has been approved and will launch in 2026-27.
- Improve the quality, functionality, and accessibility of residence green spaces for students, staff, summer guests, and campus visitors in a sustainable fashion.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Much of the world’s economy is based around producing things for consumption. This drives the engine of industry. If we want the world to develop sustainably, we need to understand how to be more responsible at both ends of this cycle.
From May 2024 to April 2025 and May 2025 to April 2026, the GOOD TO GO Initiative increased the diversion of single-use containers from waste by 24.0%, resulting in an additional 85,640 container swaps compared to the previous year.
Formed a new partnership with local producer, Reid's Dairy, to provide milk for hospitality locations.
63% of food was purchased within 500km (33% higher than last year), and 87% of food was purchased within Canada (7% higher than last year).
The purchase of free-run eggs reached 997,003 (58% higher), representing an increase of 357,258 eggs year-over-year.
The Second-Hand Shuffle off-campus waste diversion event generated 7,333 donated items, weighing a total of 26,227 kg, and diverted an estimated 124 metric tons of CO2 emissions. The number of items resulted in an estimated $386,448 in cost savings for students/community members who picked up items. Over the 8 pickup days, a total of 2,298 participants picked up items.
Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
# of items donated during the Second-Hand Shuffle, off-campus waste diversion event | 2,560 | 5,398 | 7,333 | +36% |
Estimated # tons of CO2 emissions avoided through the Second-Hand Shuffle | 48 | 65 | 124 | +91% |
# of plant forward burgers served across campus | 6,732 | 14,182 | 8,757 | -38% |
% of food purchased within 500 km of campus | 46% | 48% | 63% | +31% |
% of food purchased within Canada | 71% | 81% | 87% | +7% |
# of single-use containers diverted from waste through the GOOD TO GO initiative | 261,831 | 357,316 | 442,956 | +24% |
# of single-use container fees applied | 87,919 | 100,783 | 88,722 | -12% |
#Lbs. of donated items to the Canadian Diabetes Association (at move-out) | 3,930 | 1,229 | 2,442 | +99% |
# of free run eggs served across campus locations | 537,494 | 619,745 | 977,003 | +58% |
#Lbs. of food scraps donated to local pig farmer | 29,089 | 18,679 | 17,250 | -8% |
# of purchases in a reusable mug | 6,768 | 46,480 | 27,295 | -41% |
Average #Lbs. per person of post-consumer food waste in residence dining halls | N/A | 0.14 | 0.15 | +7% |
- Food scraps from all three dining halls, the University Club, and the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre are provided to a local pig farmer.
- The Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre completes an annual review of its Green Key Certification in response to progress, guest feedback, and any new developments as industry best practice.
- Responsible IT consumption and production are managed through practices such as:
- Assessing year-over-year printing volumes to establish and maintain a benchmark.
- Using a virtual server hub to provide on-demand network power, cloud storage, and virtual software.
- Using power over Ethernet switching for consolidated power distribution.
- Centrally administering printing devices to manage power consumption, settings, paper, ink, toner, battery recycling, and used printer toner cartridges.
- Maintain and manage equipment and technology lifecycles responsibly by purchasing Tier 1 technology products with energy star ratings, transitioning products to secondary functions to reduce over-purchasing, and donating end-of-life products to ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Sustainability for e-waste repurposing.
- Event Services and the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre reduce the environmental impacts of events and overnight accommodation by promoting sustainable guest services, such as:
- Using refillable and bulk toiletries at the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre, and a smaller portion of toiletries in Event Services.
- Encouraging guests to leave towels for replacement on the floor and hang towels intended for reuse to save water and detergent consumption.
- Reducing in-room cleaning services for guests staying multiple nights.
- Pre-setting room temperatures to reduce energy use.
- Powering off televisions and lights until needed.
- Using digital guest materials instead of paper copies.
- Encouraging Event Services clients to "Green Your Event."
- Promoting china service as an upgrade from 100% biodegradable, compostable and other single-use packaging to reduce single-use disposables.
- Requiring organizers arranging off-campus food service provisions to consult with Central Facilities on food packaging and optimize waste diversion and collection per campus guidelines.
- Cashless operations are maintained across campus retail locations, vending, and front desk services.
- A $0.35 single-use cost recovery fee is applied to hot beverages and fountain drinks purchased without a reusable mug in proprietary retail locations.
- Proprietary locations with made-to-order food options and/or soup will participate in the GOOD TO GO reusable container initiative.
- Sustainable birch cutlery is used across food service operations.
- Trayless dining is maintained in all residence dining halls.
- Food waste audits are conducted in residence dining halls to track average per-person food waste, with a goal of reducing total food waste through educational outreach initiatives.
- Coolfood Meals are tracked on the five-week menu rotation in residence dining to support awareness and encourage climate-friendly food choices.
- The annual Second-Hand Shuffle event is hosted during move-out to divert university district household goods from landfills. Students donate gently used furniture, electronics, household items, clothing, and other items, and take needed items for free to promote environmental responsibility, waste reduction, and community giving. Remaining items are donated to not-for-profit partner organizations or responsibly disposed of in appropriate waste streams. Non-perishable food items donated from residence buildings and the event go to the AMS Food Bank.
- Community Housing implements new processes and/or software to reduce dependency on paper.
- Tenant education is provided on organics collection bins, grease collection containers, and recycling programs at An Clachan and John Orr Tower.
- The Furnished Unit Program supports longer product life cycles through reuse and recycling old appliances where possible.
- Wasteless move-in and move-out practices are supported through:
- Online resources to help students make environmentally conscious choices around what to bring to campus, avoiding packaging waste, learn about campus reusable programs, use residence donation bins, and Kingston areas reuse locations.
- Digitized paper-based processes for move-in and move-out, parcel tracking, room key management, mobile ordering, and related services.
- Fairtrade coffee, tea and chocolate bar options are provided as standard practice in all dining halls, retail locations, and unit offerings. This supports ingredients produced by small-scale farm organizations or plantations that meet social, economic, and environmental standards, while supporting market relationships and farming livelihoods.
- New
- Completed
- Track and increase the number of hot beverages and fountain drink purchases in reusable mugs from select proprietary retail food locations (franchises excluded) with a goal of increasing by 10% from the year prior (to 51,128)
- Increase # of GOOD TO GO container swaps by 10% (to 485,000).
- Reduce the number of single-use containers used to 99,500 or less.
- Review and assess mail processes to identify efficiencies in courier services.
- Build out wasteless move-in communication tactics and practices in residence to complement existing wasteless move-out efforts.
- Track post-consumer food waste in residence dining with support from student Sustainability Ambassadors to lead events such as "Wipe Out Waste." Establish a goal for reduction in food waste, either as a % reduction or a maximum volume of food waste per person.
- Residence IT to explore the donation of expired reusable equipment for learning and teaching purposes.
- Implementation of promotional TVs in An Clachan properties and residence buildings to eliminate reliance on paper to promote events and messages.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Climate change is a crisis that will affect every part of society, and every country. Universities need to be at the forefront of action to reduce the impact of climate change, especially amongst the poorest who will be the most affected.
Sustainable development is a collective responsibility. Housing and Ancillary Services strives to build innovatively and positively contribute to goals in all 17 SDG areas. H&A welcomes opportunities to expand partnerships with campus and community groups with a shared vision to make a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
- Planting 14 new trees around residence buildings (26 trees over 3 years) to replace Ash trees lost and not replaced over the last decade due to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer insect. The replanting aims to improve the quality of our green spaces on campus, reduce the urban heat island effect, enhance urban biodiversity and wildlife habitats, reduce stormwater runoff, and reduce the interior temperatures of shaded buildings.
- New
- Completed
- Integrate tree and green space preservation best practices into project work for residence buildings.
SDG 14: Life Below Water
The oceans, and the rivers and watersheds that link to them, are the largest part of our ecosystem. 40% of the world’s population lives within 100km of the coast, and we all rely – directly or indirectly – on the sea.
- Continue the exclusive purchase of third party certified Sustainable Seafood for use in campus foodservice operations to help protect the world's oceans and preserve underwater ecosystems.
SDG 15: Life on Land
Life on land is a precious resource – we need to ensure that it is passed on to future generations, at a time when loss of biodiversity is an increasing concern.
- A second apiary was established at Innovation Park to support biodiversity, experiential learning, and local food production. The apiaries contribute to the repopulation of an important, endangered insect, strengthen the campus as a living lab, and help sustain the campus ecosystem through pollination and biodiversity support.
Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
#Lbs. of honey harvested from West Campus apiary | 1,844 | 1,207 | 542 | -55% |
% of honey used on campus in food production and offered at coffee and tea stations | 56% | 50% | 65% | +30% |
% of honey sold in retail food locations | 39% | 40% | 30% | -25% |
% of honey used for promotional events | 6% | 10% | 5% | -50% |
- Maintain a partnership with a Registered Commercial Beekeeper to sustain the West Campus Apiary and new Innovation Park Apiary.
- Use a minimum of 65% of the honey harvest in menu production, sell 30% in retail food locations, and use up to 5% for promotional giveaways.
- Continue to offer experiential learning workshops and educational opportunities to the campus community.
- New
- Completed
- Introduce a second Campus Apiary at Innovation Park.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Peace and Justice go hand in hand – and indeed are vital for equity between people and countries. This can range from individual justice – eradicating modern slavery and people trafficking – to ensuring that our countries have the evidence base needed to react appropriately to crises.
Statistic | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Change |
% of students who completed residence pre-arrival module (99.5% completion) | 95.7% | 99.3% | 99.5% | +0.2% |
- Build a safe and engaged residence community where students feel a sense of belonging, have diverse opportunities to build resilience, and have access to ongoing support toward achieving their academic success by:
- Mandate all residence students to complete a pre-arrival module outlining expectations for their behaviour and education around university policies, including harassment and discrimination, and signing The Residence Contract.
- Provide access to Residence Life Coordinators and Dons trained in peer counselling, conflict mediation, community development, and leadership to help students navigate opportunities to be involved in residence and the larger campus community.
- Support students experiencing stress, anxiety, low mood, and depression, potentially impacting day-to-day activities and basic decision making with access to embedded Residence Counsellors.
SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals
Sustainable development is the responsibility of every part of society, across the world. It cannot be achieved without linkages, across the goals, but also between institutions, governments, companies, NGOs, and people.
- Operate the H&A Sustainability Advisory Committee to support a unified commitment to sustainability and fiscal accountability in all policies, procedures, and practices, including those discussed throughout this framework. This diverse group meets monthly with the following goals and opportunities:
- Define shared practices, communication strategies, and educational opportunities.
- Identify barriers, reporting, and measurement strategies.
- Promotion of existing sustainability practices.
- Organizing outreach and awareness activities to enhance general sustainability initiatives.
- Annual Professional Development Planning for all managers must include a sustainability goal.
- Prioritize sustainable operational practices across the department with congruent annual reporting within the Sustainability Framework.
- Continuation of a Sustainability Subcommittee for move-in and move-out planning (including residences and off-campus housing).
- Maintain and promote training opportunities for H&A staff on topics aligned to H&A values, such as I-EDIAA, Sustainability, and wellbeing.