Green Initiatives
Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The campus bookstore is doing its part to further McMaster's initiatives for a sustainable campus. Titles has launched several programs promoting sustainable practices while reducing its environmental footprint.
Reducing Single Use Plastic Bags on Campus
In an effort to eliminate the use of single use plastic bags on campus, September 1, 2009 Titles put into effect a “No Fee Plastic”. Plastic bags are only available for a charge of 15¢.
One hundred percent of funds collected will be donated to support green initiatives on campus. We will be working in conjunction with Facility Services and the McMaster Museum of Art a new green space that includes outdoor seating areas with 9 new trees will be planted in the centre of campus as a direct result of funding collected through Titles “No Free Plastic” policy.
To date between 35,000 and 45,000 plastic bags have been diverted from landfill. Laid flat the bags would entirely cover 2 floors of the McMaster Student Centre.
Read McMaster University’s official Plastic Bag Policy
20,000 Reusable Bags to be Distributed in 2010
To encourage staff and students alike to choose a sustainable option Titles will distribute 20,000 FREE, reusable, biodegradable tote bags during the September & January Rush Periods to all customers who spend in excess of $100.
Reusable bags are:
- Biodegradable, recyclable
- Free of azo dyes and pigments
- Socially responsible
- Sustainable
Investment in Recycling
While the best form of waste reduction is still the reduction of consumption Titles is sensitive to the fact that there will always be some waste generated and has recently invested in new recycling containers to encourage our staff and patrons alike to properly sort and recycle waste.
Titles has invested in new waste stations for paper, plastic and garbage for both Administrative and public areas of the store and is currently working closely with Facility Services to ensure proper waste sorting is place to eliminate contamination of recyclables.
Paper Reduction
Titles has recently digitized the refund process in order to reduce the amount of unnecessary paper involved in the old paper based process. Our strategy involved updating old cash register receipt technology to allow us to print our refund policy on the back of each receipt eliminating the need to hand out an additional refund policy information sheet with each transaction. This strategy will be responsible for diverting approximately 25,000 sheets of 8 ½ ” x 11” paper from landfill each year.
In addition the new digitized process eliminates the need for the traditional 2 part forms diverting another 10,000 sheets of ½ ” x 11” paper from landfill annually.
A Catalyst for Change
Titles is committed to helping create a culture of sustainably here at McMaster and works closely with The Office of Sustainability on multiple initiatives to do our part in creating a Greener McMaster.
If you would like to learn more about campus sustainability please visit: http://www.mcmaster.ca/sustainability/.
If you have any question, comments or suggestions that relate directly to the Bookstore please email:
Stacey Gabitous
Web & Marketing Specialist
Titles Bookstore, Sustainibility Ambassador
A Litter Bird Told Me
