Planning and Experience

 Sustainability in Action: Our Volunteer Outreach for Friendlier Containers at Humber Polytechnic

On October 31, 2024, we volunteered as four group members at the Humber Polytechnic to support the Office of Sustainability's outreach efforts for the Friendlier reusable food container program. Our goal was to raise awareness about this critical initiative and encourage more students to participate in reducing waste on campus.

Planning Stage

Before embarking on the outreach, we carefully reviewed the program's core goals and impact on sustainability. The Office of Sustainability provided us with materials explaining the five-step process of the Friendlier program and its container refund system. The planning session also discussed the need to educate students on the environmental consequences of single-use plastics, which align with Humber's sustainability goals and federal policies banning certain plastics.

Our team discussed the most effective ways to engage students during their busy lunch hour and decided that approaching individuals directly while they were in the cafeteria would be the best way to start conversations. Our strategy was clear: inform, engage, and inspire.

The Actual Experience

During our time in the cafeteria, we were able to engage with numerous students and faculty. We explained how the program works, highlighting the benefits of using reusable containers and the process of returning them for a deposit refund. The conversations we had focused on the environmental impacts of single-use plastics, the growing sustainability movement on campus, and how the Friendlier program is a significant part of this positive change, making us all proud to be part of it.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the outreach was witnessing the genuine interest of students who hadn't heard of the program before. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to reduce their environmental footprint were palpable, leaving us inspired and hopeful about the future of sustainability at Humber Polytechnic.