By Craig Leroux, Senior Communications Officer

Sustainability Week, happening from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, provides an opportunity for the Queen’s community to celebrate its commitment to sustainability, while highlighting the many green initiatives happening on campus.

“Sustainability Week brings students, staff and faculty together to raise awareness about sustainability through many fun and informative events,” says Aaron Ball, Sustainability Manager in the Sustainability Office, which organizes the week. “From water bottle refilling stations, to a comprehensive waste diversion program, Queen’s offers a wide array of services that can help us lessen our impact on the environment all year round.”

Built around the theme “5 days, 5 ways”, the events happening during Sustainability Week are grouped around five themed days: transportation, waste reduction, energy and climate, food & water, and education & outreach.

Events planned include an outdoor bicycle workshop featuring bicycle games and repairs, the popular Recycle IT Games, and a clothing swap at the Queen’s Centre. A presentation entitled “Investing in Our Future” will see Professor Steven Moore (Queen’s School of Business) and David Hahn of the Wintergreen Renewable Energy Co-op speak about investment opportunities in environmentally and socially responsible portfolios.

The week will wrap up on Friday, Oct. 4 with a sustainability fair where representatives from internal and external groups will be on hand to discuss their organizations, and a sustainability careers workshop will gives students insight into job opportunities with a green focus.

Colin Robinson, the AMS Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainability, and Gulaid Egeh, Sustainability Coordinator for the Society of Graduate and Professional Students, worked closely with the Sustainability Office in organizing the green-themed week.

“As future leaders, Queen’s students are increasingly recognizing that Sustainability is going to factor into their careers, regardless of what field they enter,” says Mr. Robinson. “The aim of the week is to champion current Sustainability efforts on campus and in the community, and facilitate opportunities for people to learn about how Sustainability is relevant to them.”

Check out the full schedule for Sustainability Week as well as its Facebook page. You can learn more about sustainability initiatives at Queen’s by visiting the Sustainability Office website or watching a new video by Queen’s students entitled 10 Things You Should Know About Campus Sustainability.