Waste diversion in FSH

This project proposes to bring Sorting-at-Source into Family Student Housing units by providing printed UVic standard signage and colour coded sorting bins in family housing.  Currently, Family Student Housing residents collect waste material in containers in their homes and then they take that material to waste compounds. UVic currently expects residents to sort their material in the compounds, but a low diversion rate has resulted. In addition to the infrastructure, this project proposes to create an educational program for the UVic family housing community to assist people to use the bins provided.

• After two months of the project’s implementation, the pilot revealed an average 11.3 percentage point increase in waste diversion.
• The project proponent experienced firsthand the development of the sustainability project from inception, to approval, to pilot, to evaluation, and finally to full-scale implementation.
• Many participants demonstrated their satisfaction with the educational outreach event in raising awareness about appropriate waste disposal procedures.
• One pilot participant demonstrated their satisfaction with the sorting-at-source bins, and how helpful they were in the waste disposal process.
• One pilot participant agreed that the sorting-at-source bins simplified the sorting process, but getting the bins to the common waste disposal facility was a barrier to their participation.
• Full-scale implementation throughout the entire UVic Family Housing Complex is planned.