Waste and Recycling Initiatives
A map of key waste and recycling initiatives on campus
Carleton University is committed to increasing waste diversion in all its operations. The university has implemented an extensive waste reduction and recycling program that includes 4-stream recycling stations, waste diversion walls, construction and demolition waste diversion, donation bins, and electronic waste (e-waste) collection.
Textbooks for Change
If you have any post-secondary textbooks published in the last 15 years that you no longer need, you can drop them off at our Textbooks for Change drop boxes on campus. Textbooks for Change is an organization that strives to provide affordable and accessible educational materials to students both locally and abroad. They ensure that every textbook donated is either reused or recycled, which is an excellent way to minimize your environmental impact.
Dropbox locations on campus:
- Teraanga Commons - 2nd Floor
- Nideyinan - 4th Floor
- MacOdrum Library - 1st & 4th Floor
E-Waste Recycling
Carleton offers two ways to recycle e-waste on campus. The first is through Electrobac Stations:
You can recycle small electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, cameras, chargers, headphones, and ink cartridges in the Electrobac bin. However, please note that these bins do not accept batteries, light bulbs, VHS tapes, or cassettes.
Electrobac Bin Locations:
- Athletics Centre - 1st Floor
- Nideyinan - 4th Floor
- Teraanga Commons - 1st Floor
Another way to recycle e-waste on campus is through Carleton's on-campus collection at select locations. Carleton University offers an E-waste Recycling Program that provides environmentally friendly and secure disposal of e-waste, free of charge. Please take a look at this list of Carleton’s accepted e-waste items list.
Campus community members (staff, faculty and students) can drop off their e-waste at the following locations:
- 115 Maintenance Building (Stores)
- 1251 Herzberg Building (Hardware Stores)
- 118 Steacie Building (Science Stores)
Do you struggle with knowing where to properly dispose of your waste? Are you interested in reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills?
Check out Carleton Waste Wizard ! It’s a digital tool that provides an easy way to search for proper disposal methods for anything, including where to drop it off or if it can be recycled.
Sustainable Buildings
A map of key sustainable buildings on campus
Canal Building
Herzberg Addition
Teraanga Commons
Richcraft Hall
Nicol Building
ARISE
MacOdrum Library
Health Sciences
Frontenac Residence
Lennox-Addington
Russell-Grenville
C-RISE House
Canal Building
The Canal Building is home to many of Carleton's engineering programs. The building was awarded a 5 Green Globes Rating, the highest rating received. The building boasts environmentally friendly features such as a 10 kW array of 25 rooftop solar panels, and a green roof with native and drought-resistant plants. The building also serves as a living lab for academic research.
Herzberg Addition
The Herzberg Laboratories Addition, home to the Earth and Environmental Sciences departments, was awarded a 4 Green Globes rating for building sustainability. It is at least 30 percent more energy-efficient than the National Energy Code, and features building materials with recycled content as well as chemically inert materials such as carpets and paints throughout the building.
Teraanga Commons
Teraanga Commons (formerly known as Residence Commons) is located at the heart of Carleton University’s residence life. The building has been awarded a 4 Green Globes rating for its sustainability features, which include low-flow water-saving fixtures, high-efficiency lighting with light controls, and optimal natural light penetration. Teraanga Commons also features an interactive energy display screen that shows live energy data.
Richcraft Hall
Richcraft Hall (previously River Building) is located alongside the scenic Rideau River and was awarded a 4 Green Globes rating for building sustainability. The building features an accessible green roof with native and drought-resistant planting, highly efficient passive solar lighting through the use of skylights and curtain wall systems, low-flow water-saving fixtures in washrooms, and a spectacular three-story living green “bio” wall.
Nicol Building
The Nicol Building, home to Sprott School of Business, received a 4 Green Globes Rating for its sustainable building features. These features include sustainable construction techniques utilizing BubbleDeck technology, demand-controlled ventilation, occupancy sensors for lighting and thermostats, and skylights for natural light.
ARISE
The Advanced Research and Innovation in Smart Environments (ARISE) building is intended to be a living laboratory and brings together professors and students from all faculties to collaborate on research and training in clean technology, health technology, information and communication technology, and accessibility. The building was awarded a 4 Green Globes rating.
MacOdrum Library
The MacOdrum Library Addition expanded the building by 75,000 sqft and incorporated several sustainability features, earning a 3 Green Globes rating. These features include enhanced natural lighting in key areas, energy-efficient light fixtures, low-flow water fixtures, and the integration of existing structures, reusing approximately 50% of the original construction.
Health Sciences
The Health Sciences Building promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscience and health science programs and received a 4 Green Globes rating. The building features open-concept research laboratories, an animal vivarium, and bird-friendly window glazing to minimize bird collisions with reflective glass surfaces.
Frontenac Residence
The Frontenac Residence, an on-campus suite-style residence for upper-year undergraduate students, was awarded a 3 Green Globes rating. The building incorporates various sustainability features such as low-flow water-saving fixtures, optimized daylighting, and the use of low-VOC emitting interior materials.
Lennox-Addington
The Lennox and Addington House, an on-campus residence catering to all levels of undergraduate study, incorporates several sustainability features and was awarded 3 Green Globes. These include energy-efficient light fixtures, solar shading devices for occupant comfort and control of sunlight, and the use of building materials made from recycled content.
Russell-Grenville
The Russell-Grenville house, originally constructed in 1965, underwent extensive renovations to enhance its sustainability and energy efficiency. These efforts resulted in the building earning a 4 Green Globes rating. Notable sustainability features of the renovation include maximizing natural daylight within the building, reusing existing facades and 50% of the major building structures, as well as incorporating energy-efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures.
C-RISE House
The Carleton Research and Innovation in Sustainable Energy (C-RISE) is a two-storey solar-powered house located at the north end of Carleton University's campus. It incorporates solar thermal energy, seasonal thermal storage, and serves as a testing ground for innovative concepts aimed at reducing energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions in the Canadian residential sector. Situated on a low hill, C-RISE showcases sustainable technologies and practices in the field of residential energy efficiency.
Interested in learning more about sustainable buildings on campus? Check out our webpage here !
Sustainable Transportation
A map of key sustainable transportation initiatives on campus
Cycling Amenities On Campus
Cycling is an excellent way to commute sustainably while also reaping the many benefits. The campus has several open bicycle racks in convenient locations that can be used free of charge.
Parking Services also sells permits for secure bicycle storage compounds at various locations on campus (noted by the blue bike icon on the map to the right). It costs only $90 per year to register and use these facilities, and you can find more information about the storage compounds and registration process here .
Secure Bicycle Compound Locations
- Athletics – beneath the pool deck
- Teraanga Commons
- Dunton Tower/Azrieli Pavilion
There is also a bike repair station situated on the north side of the Architecture Building (noted by the brown tool icon on the map to the right), and includes all tools necessary for basic bike maintenance needs.
E-Scooters
Carleton has teamed up with Bird Canada to introduce e-scooters to our campus and evaluate their potential as a mode of transportation to and from our campus.
Please note that Bird e-scooters are not allowed to be ridden on the main campus, but they can be ridden to the edge of the campus and parked at two designated parking sites known as ‘nests’ for convenience (noted by the light blue dots on the map to the right).
E-scooters offer a new and sustainable mode of transportation that can help reduce single-rider automobile use and promote healthy lifestyles.
You can find more information, locations of the ‘nests,’ and policy guidelines regarding the use of e-scooters on campus here .
Public Transportation
There are various bus routes available that come to the Carleton University campus. To plan your trip to or from campus, please refer to the OC Transpo website for fare information, transit schedules, and route maps. Full-time students also receive a U-Pass , which will let them ride on all OC Transpo and STO routes during their full-time school terms.
The City of Ottawa is currently working on the expansion of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) network, which includes the O-Train stop on campus. The project is expected to be completed by late 2023. Check the OC Transpo website for updates on the project and any resulting changes in transit routes.
Public transportation is a sustainable alternative that can help to reduce emissions from transportation, one of the leading sources of pollution. Using public transit can significantly lower our collective carbon footprint as more people choose to use the available buses and trains.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
Parking Services has created designated EV Charging Stations/Parking Spaces at the following locations (also noted by the grey icons on the map to the right):
- Library Garage – 2 spots on Level 1
- P9 – 2 spots on Level 2
- P16 – 2 spots on Level 1
- P18 – 2 spots on Level 1
- P7 – 20 spots on the west side
Permit holders with electric vehicles can use the EV Charging Stations at no additional charge for up to 4 hours. Non-permit holders must pay the EV Charging Station parking rate through the HotSpot App.
Car Share
Parking Services has teamed up with Communauto and Zipcar to offer car-sharing services on campus. Car-sharing allows users to rent a vehicle from a fleet of cars on an hourly basis. Reserving a car is simple, with members being able to book a vehicle through an online platform or by phone, selecting the nearest available car and driving away.
The car-sharing vehicles are conveniently located in two areas on campus: Communauto – Lot P4 Zipcar – P18 Garage on Level 2
In case the on-campus car-sharing inventory doesn’t meet your needs, there are additional pods of vehicles available nearby.
To learn more about these programs, please visit their websites at:
Green Spaces
Kitigànensag Community Garden
Alumni Park
Outdoor Quad
River Field
Kitigànensag Community Garden
Kitigànensag, Algonquin for “little gardens,” is a student-run community garden on campus. Located at the southeast corner of the Nesbitt building. Garden plots are free and applications for plots are open to all members of the Carleton community. Gardening season normally begins in April and runs until November.
Alumni Park
Alumni Park is located beside the Rideau River, with a gorgeous view. Great spot to meet and eat lunch, and even have outdoor events!
Outdoor Quad
Large outdoor green space, with picnic tables, greenery, and groundhogs. Surrounded by multiple campus buildings, allowing for easy access.
River Field
An open and maintained field available for the Carleton community with soccer nets and a baseball diamond.
Other Sustainability Initiatives
A map of other sustainability initiatives on campus
The caf
The Food Court
Starbucks (Teraanga Commons)
Starbucks - MacOdrum Library
Starbucks - Nideyinan
Bridgehead
Tunnel Junction
Rooster's Coffeehouse
Good Food Box
CUSA Food Centre
Lug-A-Mug
Clothing Donation Bins
Procurement Services - Certified Green Workplace
SPROTT School of Business - Certified Green Workplace
Pension Fund Management - Certified Green Workplace
The caf
The caf is a certified zero waste (> 90% of waste diverted from landfill) location on campus. Carleton University is also a Fair Trade Designated Campus. This designation is bestowed to campuses that have committed to advance the impact of fair trade through education and product availability. As a Fair Trade Designated Campus, Carleton Dining Services actively works to incorporate Fairtrade Certified ingredients into its recipes.
The Food Court
The Food Court is another certified zero waste location on campus. Carleton University is also a Fair Trade Designated Campus. This designation is bestowed to campuses that have committed to advance the impact of fair trade through education and product availability. As a Fair Trade Designated Campus, Carleton Dining Services actively works to incorporate Fairtrade Certified ingredients into its recipes.
Starbucks (Teraanga Commons)
Starbucks offers a fair trade espresso along with their ethically sourced coffee. Also, they offer a range of plant-based drinks and food available.
Starbucks - MacOdrum Library
Starbucks offers a fair trade espresso along with their ethically sourced coffee. Also, they offer a range of plant-based drinks and food available.
Starbucks - Nideyinan
Starbucks offers a fair trade espresso along with their ethically sourced coffee. Also, they offer a range of plant-based drinks and food available.
Bridgehead
Bridgehead coffees, teas, sugar and chocolate bars are Fair Trade Certified (Fair Trade Canada) and organic certified (OCIA).
Tunnel Junction
Serves Fair Trade coffee and tea.
Rooster's Coffeehouse
Student government enterprise serving Fair Trade coffee and tea as well as plant based options.
Good Food Box
The Ottawa Good Food Box program, which works with local farmers to provide students with $5, $10, $15, or $20 boxes of fresh produce for a significantly reduced cost compared to retail. The program delivers affordable boxes of delicious and nutritious vegetables and fruits to 40 neighbourhood locations throughout Ottawa once a month. You can order at ottawagoodfoodbox.ca and pick it up at Food Centre, 3rd Floor, Nideyinan in the 3rd week of the month.
CUSA Food Centre
The Food Centre is a CUSA service centre located on the 3rd Floor, Nideyinan. The offer a variety of programs with the aim of promoting food security for members of the Carleton campus community. Users may visit up to a maximum of two times per month and are required to bring their student or alumni card (or other identifying information), in addition to plastic bags and egg cartons in order to pick up their emergency assistance hamper. The Food Centre also runs food drives and other initiatives and events to support the Ottawa Food Bank, and increase awareness of food security and poverty issues in our community.
Lug-A-Mug
Save money and a cup by bringing your re-usable travel mug every time you purchase a drink. The Lug-a-Mug program provides customers who bring their own mugs a discount of 50 cents off coffee & tea at participating Dining Services vendors
Clothing Donation Bins
Donate unwanted clothing items at the Canadian Diabetes Association Clothesline Program. These red bins are located within residence.
Procurement Services - Certified Green Workplace
Received Green Certification in July 2022 as part of Carleton's Certified Green Workplace program. Learn more about this program at Carleton Green Workplace Program.
SPROTT School of Business - Certified Green Workplace
Received Green Certification in May 2023 as part of Carleton's Certified Green Workplace program. Learn more about this program at Carleton Green Workplace Program.
Pension Fund Management - Certified Green Workplace
Received Green Certification in June 2023 as part of Carleton's Certified Green Workplace program. Learn more about this program at Carleton Green Workplace Program.
Connect With Us
carleton.ca/sustainability sustainability@carleton.ca Twitter: @CUsustain Instagram: @SustainabilityCarleton Facebook: Sustainability Carleton
