Acadia University located in Wolfville has one of the highest ranked university
undergraduate programs in Canada. The university is known for its firsts; first in
information technology with the Acadia Advantage Program, and first in developing a
comprehensive university wide waste-resource management program. Through the hard work of
students, staff and faculty, Acadia University has transformed solid waste into a resource, achieving a 53% diversion rate in the process.

Acadia has adopted a 4 and 5 stream sorting system that is used throughout the campus. The cafeteria has no garbage cans. All materials are sorted by kitchen staff and either composted or recycled. Approximately 2.2 tonnes of organics is composted each week. Residences have 5-stream recycling stations on each floor and each room has a recycling bin. Programs like Acadia AWARE (Advanced Waste and Resource Education) help increase awareness of the campus waste reduction programs by offering training sessions, literature, the recycler game and even a video to help students recycle and compost right. Acadia is also the first Canadian university to organize a Dump & Run, which is a giant garage sale held at the end of the school year that diverts unwanted materials from disposal and raises money for charity. This year’s Dump & Run will be held this Saturday, May 1, at the Acadia Arena.

Drew Peck, Manager of Building Services at Acadia, accepted the RRFB Nova Scotia Mobius Environmental Award for Institution of the Year on behalf of Acadia University.