Six Green Projects On- and Off-Campus

Compiled by Lynnette Choo and Isa Cunanan

*Editor’s Note: These initiatives are not reflective of all local opportunities. Green Perspective does not endorse a specific group.

Grassroots Environmental Products
Grassroots is a community-based retailer that offers environmentally-friendly products which allow people to make positive choices for themselves, their communities, and the planet.
Future endeavors: Feel Good Fridays (Grassroots donates 10 percent of net sales to local or national environmental organizations) and the Trailer Rental Program (for $2/hour customers can rent a lightweight suitcase for items too large to carry home).
More info: http://www.grassrootsstore.com/

Greenpeace Canada
Part of an international network of volunteers, campaigners, and activists, Greenpeace Canada researches green solutions and campaigns against environmentally-degrading practices.
Future endeavors: In Canada, Greenpeace campaigns to ban genetically modified products in Canadian supermarkets, save the ancient-growth British Columbian Great Bear rainforest, and save the boreal forest, which is known as Canada’s largest ecosystem.
More info: www.greenpeace.org/canada

The Green Team
This UTM-based initiative gathers volunteers and/or employees of the UTM Sustainability Co-ordinator to organize local environmental opportunities and events.
Future endeavors: Campus Sustainability Projects, Transportation Projects, and continued involvement and communication with the Centre for Emerging Energy Technologies.
More info: www.utm.utoronto.ca/~w3green/

The Hot Yam!
A volunteer group of food lovers dedicated to offering affordable vegan and organic lunches, Hot Yam! cooks nutritious meals from scratch, based around seasonal offerings and a conscious diet. Hot Yam!’s buying practices support local businesses that prioritize fresh, local, and organic ingredients.
Future endeavors: More lunch extravaganzas and more collaborations with other U of T organizations.
More info: Email hottestyam@gmail.com or visit the International Student Centre and ask around.

Rewire
Rewire is a project of the U of T sustainability office. A recent student social marketing study sparked a campaign designed to decrease energy consumption at seven St. George campus residences, two university offices, and the University of Toronto Mississauga campus.
Future endeavors: Expansion of a current project that targets offices, classrooms, common areas, laboratories, and hotel and apartment style residences.
More info: http://rewire.utoronto.ca/

University of Toronto Environmental Resource Network (UTERN)
UTERN encourages, aids, and funds environmental initiatives within all U of T campuses.
Future endeavors: UTERN considers funding for any project aiming to improve the environment or mitigate the University’s environmental impact on any of the U of T campuses; or educate, inform, or mobilize students, faculty, and/or the public around environmental issues.
More info: http://utern.sa.utoronto.ca/