Responsible Consumption and Production

Responsible consumption graphic

This societal impact focuses on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.  Lakehead University recognizes the importance of promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production among students, faculty and staff to reduce environmental degradation, resource depletion and climate change.  To achieve this goal, Lakehead University has implemented measures such as waste reduction and recycling programs, sustainable purchasing programs, and awareness campaigns to educate the campus community about responsible consumption.

Operational Measures

12.2.1 Ethical sourcing policy
Does your university as a body have a policy on ethical sourcing of food and supplies?
 
Lakehead University places a strong emphasis on maintaining ethical standards across all aspects of its operations.  Through our Procurement Policy, Lakehead University ensures that the food and supplies procured align with the values of sustainability, social responsibility and ethical practices.

Lakehead University's Sustainability Plan also commits to increasing support of sustainable food systems through food and beverage purchases, minimizing the purchase of conventionally produced animal products, ensuring dining services purchase food and beverages that are third-party verified to be ecologically sound, fair and/or humane, and offering vegan options in their dining services operations. 

Lakehead's food providers, Aramark Canada and Dana Hospitality LP, have long-standing commitments to advancing sustainable sourcing practices that minimize impacts on people, animals and the environment. Aramark's Supplier Code of Conduct addresses three core commitments:

  1. Sustainably caught seafood, 
  2. Humanely raised proteins, and 
  3. Locally sourced fruits and vegetables 
12.2.2 Policy waste disposal - hazardous materials
Does your university as a body have a policy on waste disposal - Covering hazardous materials 
     
Lakehead University has implemented comprehensive measures, protocols and training to ensure the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials. 
 
Lakehead University has established a Hazardous Waste Disposal Standard and a Waste Disposal Policy which outlines procedures pertaining to the disposal of hazardous waste on campus.  These wastes are a by-product of maintenance, research, and teaching activities at Lakehead University and require proper management to safeguard staff, students, the general public, property and the surrounding ecosystems.
 
Lakehead University also has a Biosafety Committee with representation from faculty, technical staff, administration and the broader community which oversees biosafety programming on Lakehead University's campuses. 
 
Faculty and staff working with hazardous materials at Lakehead University are required to familiarize themselves with the following policies, procedures and guidelines found here.
12.2.3 Policy waste disposal - landfill policy
Does your university as a body have a policy on waste disposal - To measure the amount of waste sent to landfill and recycled?   
 
Lakehead University is dedicated to the continuous monitoring and enhancement of waste disposal practices in alignment with sustainability targets and environmental regulations.  
 
Lakehead University’s approach to waste disposal aligns with local, provincial and federal environmental regulations.  Lakehead University has both a Waste Disposal Policy and a Hazardous Waste Disposal Standard that include provisions for monitoring and measuring the amount of waste sent to landfills and the volume that is recycled.
 
The Lakehead University Thunder Bay campus has transitioned to a centralized and increasingly standardized waste and recycling program. By eliminating office and classroom garbage bins, the university has saved over 25,000 single-use plastic garbage bags while promoting increased recycling at its centralized sorters. 
 
Each sorting station contains not only trash receptacles but receptacles for paper and container recycling along with educational signage that directs users to the correct receptacle for their items.
 
Through consistent bin placement, bin type and signage Lakehead University promotes greater awareness of waste disposal and recycling standards.
12.2.4 Policy for minimisation of plastic use
Does your university as a body have policies around use minimisation - Of plastic?     
 
Lakehead University is dedicated to minimizing plastic usage across its campuses through a multifaceted approach. Our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is reflected in the following initiatives.
  1. Elimination of Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles (Orillia Campus): Lakehead University’s Orillia campus has a Bottled Water Policy which prohibits the sale of single-use plastic water bottles.  This initiative not only reduces plastic waste but upholds the principle that access to clean water is a fundamental right.
  2. Promotion of Reusable Mugs & Dining Ware: To encourage sustainable practices, Lakehead offers incentives for students, faculty and staff who bring their own reusable cups.  This includes discounts at various on-campus facilities.  In addition, trayless dining and reusable dining ware in the cafeterias eliminate the need for single-use plastic containers and contribute to our sustainability goals.
  3. Centralized Waste and Recycling (Thunder Bay Campus): Lakehead Thunder Bay has transitioned to a centralized waste and recycling program.  This innovative approach involves the elimination of office and classroom garbage bins, which will save over 25,000 single-use plastic garbage bags annually while promoting increased recycling through centralized sorting locations.
  4. Recycling Days for Office Supplies and E-Waste Collection: Annually, Lakehead University organizes recycling days to collect various office supplies including ink cartridges, pens, pencils and markers.  E-waste collection events are also organized for the collection of used electronic devices.
  5. Use of Reusable Containers: Lakehead University is dedicated to enhancing its sustainability efforts through a campus-wide reusable container program for takeout food and beverages.  Students, faculty and staff can enroll in a free app-based program called Cano which tracks their use of reusable containers.  When participants return their containers, they earn rewards that can be redeemed for food and drinks in the cafeteria.

Lakehead University continues its commitment to sustainable practices and is continuously exploring new avenues to minimize plastic usage.  

 

12.2.5 Policy for minimisation of disposable items
Does your university as a body have policies around use minimisation - Of disposable items?        
 
Lakehead University continues to explore opportunities to reduce the consumption of disposable items across our campuses.  Various policies and initiatives have been implemented to reflect our commitment to sustainable and environmental responsibility including:
  1. Elimination of Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles (Orillia Campus):  Lakehead University’s Orillia campus has created a Bottled Water Policy which prohibits the sale of single-use plastic water bottles.  This initiative not only reduces plastic waste but upholds the principle that access to clean water is a fundamental right.
  2. Promotion of Reusable Mugs & Dining Ware:  To encourage sustainable practices, Lakehead offers incentives for students, faculty and staff who bring their own reusable cups.  This includes discounts at various on-campus facilities.  In addition, trayless dining and reusable dining ware in the cafeterias eliminate the need for single-use plastic containers and contribute to our sustainability goals.  More information can be found here.
  3. Centralized Waste and Recycling (Thunder Bay Campus):  The Thunder Bay campus has transitioned to a centralized waste and recycling program.  This innovative approach involves the elimination of office and classroom garbage bins, which will save over 25,000 single-use plastic garbage bags annually while promoting increased recycling through centralized sorting locations. 
  4. Recycling Days for Office Supplies and E-Waste Collection:  Annually, Lakehead University organizes recycling days to collect various office supplies including ink cartridges, pens, pencils and markers.  E-waste collection events are also organized for the collection of used electronic devices.  
  5. Use of Reusable Containers: Lakehead University is dedicated to enhancing its sustainability efforts through a campus-wide reusable container program for takeout food and beverages.  Students, faculty and staff can enroll in a free app-based program called Cano which tracks their use of reusable containers.  When participants return their containers, they earn rewards that can be redeemed for food and drinks in the cafeteria.
12.2.6 Disposable policy: extensions to services
Do these policies extend to outsourced services and the supply chain?
 
Lakehead University’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond our campuses and encompasses outsourced services and the supply chain.  Lakehead’s practices align with Supply Chain Ontario, the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, and the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive which sets out essential procurement guidelines for the responsible use of public funds under Ontario’s Broader Public Sector Accountability Act. 
 
Lakehead University is compliant with the principles and practices outlined in the BPS Procurement Directive, and Lakehead University’s Procurement Policy provides further clarity on the directive including sustainable considerations and minimization of waste.
 
Lakehead is committed to embedding sustainability principles and standards in our procurement practices.  This commitment extends to the evaluation and award of contracts including those with partners like  Aramark, an organization with established sustainability frameworks within its operations.
 
Lakehead continues to work in partnership with outsourced suppliers to find common opportunities to improve sustainability, consumption and production patterns/approaches.  By incorporating sustainability criteria into our procurement processes, we aim to ensure that our outsourced services and partnerships align with our environmental and social responsibility goals.
12.2.7 Minimisation policies extended to suppliers
Do these policies extend to outsourced suppliers and the supply chain - Supplier outsourced services (suppliers of equipment, stationary, building contracts)?   
             
Lakehead University’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond our campuses and reaches into our relationships with outsourced services, suppliers and partners.  Lakehead has taken significant steps to integrate sustainability standards into the Procurement Policy and Supply Chain Code of Ethics to reflect our commitment to environmental and social responsibility in all aspects of our operations including outsourced suppliers and the evaluation and awards of contracts.
 
Sustainability efforts are ongoing.  To ensure that outsourced suppliers meet our sustainability standards, Lakehead regularly evaluates outsourced supplies to assess their adherence to sustainability initiatives and best practices.  Lakehead works in partnership with suppliers to find common opportunities to improve sustainability, consumption and production patterns/approaches. 

Waste Recycled

12.3.1 Waste Tracking
Does your university measure the amount of waste generated and recycled across the university
 
Lakehead University continues to advance its commitment to responsible consumption and production by improving the measurement of waste generation and promoting recycling across its campuses.  

Lakehead University recently transitioned to a new waste collection and recycling service provider that employs sophisticated on-truck software that allows for real-time measurement of waste collected.  This has allowed Lakehead University to gain immediate insights into the types and volume of waste generated.

Previously, the institution relied on an estimated weight provided by its former service provider, which occasionally led to inaccuracies in waste measurement.  As a result of the new service provider, Lakehead University anticipates a substantial improvement in data accuracy.  

Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus has also recently implemented a centralized and standardized waste and recycling program.   Each sorting station contains not only trash receptacles but also receptacles for paper and container recycling.  Each sorting station includes educational signage that directs users to the correct receptacle for their items.  This initiative not only reduces waste but also encourages increased recycling.  Through the elimination of individual office and classroom garbage bins, it is estimated that there will be an annual savings of over 25,000 single-use plastic garbage bags.  

As a result of these initiatives, 2023 marked the first year that Lakehead University recycled more waste than it sent to landfill.

 

Publication of a Sustainability Report

12.4.1 Publication of a sustainability report
Publication of sustainability report
 
Lakehead University publishes an Annual Sustainability Report which addresses the university’s progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This report complements the progress monitoring of Lakehead University's Sustainability Plan (2019-2025) and is regularly updated to reflect ongoing efforts and accomplishments.