1969

Faculty of Environment forms, the first of its kind in Canada
1970

UW holds its first surplus sale for old electronic waste
1975

UW begins paper recycling on campus
1990

David Orr visits campus, discusses concept of “Living Laboratory”

Task Force on Waste Management created and provides a report and recommendation

UW accepts proposal for “Greening the Campus” initiative

WATgreen launched with goal of integrating learning onto the campus

President confirms the university’s commitment to sustainability
1991

UW hires a Waste Management Coordinator

Environment and Resource Studies runs WATgreen course for the first time, helping students understand environmental impacts
1992

WATgreen wins Environmental Achievement Award for Innovation from KW Chamber of Commerce

WATgreen Task Force on Turf Grass Management launches
1993

WATgreen wins Environmental Achievement Award for General Ecology from KW Chamber of
Commerce
1994

WATgreen wins Company of the Year Environmental Achievement Award from KW Chamber of
Commerce

Turf Grass Maintenance Action Plan launches with 0% pesticide target
1995

UWaterloo faculty, staff, and students serve on the university’s first campus-wide WATgreen meeting

1997

UW issues Guidance Statement for Research & Technology Park to protect the environment, creates a 109 hectare Environmental Reserve

Plant Operations, WATgreen, and faculty members compile native plant species list, for exclusive use for future operations.
1998

Plant Operations achieves 0% pesticide use target, 2 years ahead of schedule
2000

UWaterloo releases first State of the Environment Report

WATgreen nominated for Environmental Sustainability Award by the KW Chamber of Commerce
2002

University of Waterloo Sustainability Project student group launches, to encourage campus sustainability and engage students
2003

Solar Technology Education Project installs 2 kilowatt solar array on Fed Hall
2006

UW Food Services opens Farm Market, with 100% local produce
2007

Campus Master Plan highlights sustainability and environmental stewardship as defining development features of the next 25 years

Residence Reduction Challenge achieves 18% water reduction and 4% electricity reduction
2008

UWaterloo joins the Blue Box program through the Region of Waterloo

Biology 1 fish laboratory retrofit saves approximately 19,000 m3 of water annually
2009

UW signs Council of Ontario Universities Pledge, Ontario Universities: Committed to a Greener World

Founding of the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development
2010

Central Stores launches e-waste initiative, saving over 30 tonnes of electronic waste annually

UW Executive Council approves Statement on Green Information Systems and Technology from the
Green IT Advisory Board


Student group produces feasibility study for regional Climate Action Plan

Solar thermal arrays installed on roof of Conrad Grebel to preheat water, reducing emissions by about 1,980kg of CO2 annually

Conrad Grebel and St. Jerome’s launch organic waste collection pilot program through Region of
Waterloo Green Bin
2011

UWaterloo releases first Sustainable Development Report, with a forward from President
Hamdullahpur

EV3 becomes the first campus building in Ontario to receive a LEED Platinum certification
2012

UWaterloo joins the Regional Carbon Initiative as an observing organization

UWaterloo joins the TravelWise pilot program with the Region of Waterloo

Upgrade and retrofit of data servers saves approximately $200,000 annually
2013

University of Waterloo Sustainability Project rebrands as Sustainable Campus Initiative

Parking Services launches summer suspension program to facilitate walking and cycling in the warmer months
2014

Sustainable Campus Initiative implements Davis Center permeable pavement project

St. Paul’s Greenhouse launches community garden for local food production

UW hires its first-ever Energy Manager

Student group launches UW Campus Compost initiative

Federation of Students releases Vision of Sustainability document

UW approves hiring of Sustainability Coordinator
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