Today is the day to get your Sustainability eNews!

Today sees the launch of the Mohawk College Sustainability Office's monthly newsletter, Sustainability eNews. Click the link and subscribe for monthly updates! Share the link with your friends and co-workers. Every 100th subscriber wins a Sustainability Office Gift Package (mug, water bottle and tote-bag included)!

Transit: You're Closer Than You Think Follow-Up

During November's Transit Campaign, over 250 Mohawk College students and staff realized the ease of taking public transit to and from Mohawk College. 80 students and staff placed pins on the Transit Map and saw just how close they live to public transit routes. Congratulations to the four prize winners of the $50 prepaid MasterCards!

1^st year Mechanical Engineering student. Usually takes transit to campus.

3^rd year Energy Systems Engineering Technology student. Usually takes transit to campus.

2^nd year Office Administration student. Usually takes transit to campus.

Continuing Education student taking “Quick Books.”
Usually drives to campus but is considering transit for the winter.

The average bus trip emits 77g CO2e/km compared to the average vehicle trip which emits 240g CO2e/km. By taking the bus you reduce your commuting carbon footprint by 70%! Public transportation is a great way to not only dip less into our natural resources but also to help save a good deal of money on the cost of getting around. For students, the cost of an HSR bus pass is built into their tuition fees. Mohawk employees pay a discounted rate of $65.25 instead of the regular adult monthly pass price of $87.

Public transportation also benefits those not using it because it helps reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gases and other pollutants, resulting in improved air quality, alleviate traffic congestion, and noise.

Smart Commute Award Winners

On November 29, 2012 the Sustainability Office staff hopped on a GO Bus to Toronto to attend the 2012 Smart Commute Awards with Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac.

Each year, Smart Commute honours the top regional employers who successfully implement Smart Commute programs in the workplace (ie. Carpool, Transit, and Bike). Smart Commute Employers of the Year are selected for outstanding achievement in areas of commitment, leadership, innovation and results.

This year Mohawk College was awarded the inaugural Parsons Brinckerhoff Employee Engagement Award, which recognizes a Smart Commute employer that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and success in getting employees to re-think their daily commute.

Mohawk is recognized for our Smart Commute programs that cover a full-time student population of about 12,000 as well as 1,100 staff distributed over four campuses. The success of our program is attributed to the following:

·         Budget is allocated to Smart Commute initiatives and supporting infrastructure

·         Focus groups are used to gather opinions about the program

·         Smart Commute info is included in new-hire orientation (kits and presentation)

·         Innovative Transit Pass program for staff offers 50% discounts for peer referrals

·         Students’ input is sought and the program is adjusted based on their ideas

·         Tracking system measures social, financial and environmental as well as participation rates

This year’s award builds on our success in 2011, when Mohawk College was named the Hamilton Region Employer of the Year for establishing a weather-protected, members-only, monitored bike facility that accommodates 44 bicycles. We were also recognized in 2011 for our bike loan program, geared to providing students and staff with temporary access to bicycles, thereby reducing their reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.

Thank you to the Awards Review Panel Members who evaluated all of the nominations, and who recognized our efforts to protect the environment, conserve resources, promote healthy lifestyles and support vitality and safety in the workplace. Congratulations to the other award winners: York University, Loblaw Companies Limited, York Region, City of Pickering, Tim Hortons, McMaster University, GENIVAR Inc., McCormick Rankin, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Transat A.T. Inc. and Top Drawer Creative Inc. 

Mohawk Campus Stores: Plastic Free ... Yippie!

Sustainability Champion of the Month

Mohawk College employee of the McKeil School of Business and carpooler, Christine Frame has been carpooling with fellow staff and students since 2007. Frame is a registered primary driver on the Smart Commute Carpool Zone website that matches drivers and passengers taking similar trips. This is exactly how Liz Hammond, this year's Sustainability Office Intern and full-time Public Relations student, was introduced to carpool champion Christine Frame – the two have been carpooling since October 12, 2012. 

Hammond has joined Frames’ carpool family comprised of staff and students, and in doing so, Hammond has recognized the ease and benefits of carpooling to and from Mohawk College. Frame charges $3.00 each way, helping her to pay for gas, necessary car maintenance, and her carpool parking permit. Frame carpools because it saves her money, she makes friends, and it is good for the environment. Frame says, “I also feel the need to help out a student/co-worker experiencing difficulty with transportation.” From Hammonds’ home in Ancaster to Mohawk College it would take an hour and seven minutes and three bus transfers.

Hundreds of people are hitching a ride to school/work in Hamilton, and carpooling numbers are higher than ever. Find your carpool match on www.smartcommute.ca and start saving and reducing your impact on the environment.

Climate Change Breakfast

Hamilton, ON. October 29, 2012 — More than 60 people weathered hurricane Sandy to celebrate the 1^st anniversary of Hamilton’s Climate Change Charter. The Hamilton Community Action Charter is a voluntary agreement that action on climate change is needed. Those who signed the charter are committed to tackling the causes and consequences of climate change. Representatives from various organizations spoke proudly of their promised and measurable actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic prosperity, health and environmental benefits to all.

Alan Griffiths, Sustainable Environmental Specialist represented Mohawk College, speaking to the colleges’ commitment to a 20% reduction of 2007 baseline carbon emissions by 2020. This ambitious goal is in line with the City of Hamilton’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emission of 2005 levels by 10% by 2012, and 20% by 2020. Just how does Mohawk College plan to reduce carbon emissions by 20%?! Through Mohawk College’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) of course! The EMP has been developed to act as the leading policy document and blueprint that will shape the College's transformation towards a greener, prosperous future as an environmental, social and financially conscious institution. The EMP can be downloaded from our website: http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/environmental-sustainability

Transit: You're Closer Than You Think

Ensuring that Mohawk staff, students and faculty have access to safe, sustainable, healthy and convenient transportation options is very important to the college. As such, the Mohawk College Sustainability Office and Smart Commute Hamilton have introduced discounted Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) transit passes for all Mohawk College employees. As for Mohawk College students, their bus pass is included in their student fees (lucky!).

From September 2012 to April 2013, Mohawk College employees receive an exclusive 25% discount on monthly HSR transit passes. By simply completing the membership agreement and bringing it to the Fennell Campus Bookstore, employees pay $65.25 instead of the regular adult monthly pass price of $87. If you currently commute by car, your savings will be even greater! You’ll save on the cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, and parking ($525+ annually).

You’ll be helping to reduce your personal carbon footprint by lowering the amount of harmful emission that result from commuting in a single-occupant vehicle. The average vehicle emits 240g CO2e/km, whereas the average bus trip will emit 77g CO2e/km, which equals close to a 70% reduction in your commuting footprint.

Map your HSR bus route on Google Transit. Realize the ease of taking public transit! Email your bus numbers and travel time to christopher.chevrier@mohawkcollege.ca to be entered into a draw for a $50 prepaid Visa Card!