Batteries
In 2024 we relaunched the battery recycling program and now have at least one Call2Recycle battery collection box in almost every building at all of our campuses and sites. Since the relaunch, about 200 pounds of batteries have been diverted and recycled. This is in addition to the hundreds of pounds of batteries used by the Facilities team that automatically get recycled every year.
Pens
We started using the Staples free pen recycling program in late 2024 and have successfully kept over 70 pounds of pens, markers, Sharpies, and mechanical pencils out of the landfill in less than 2 years. The initiative was relaunched early in the 2026 Fall semester and many departments and areas have joined the recycling plan.
Refundable drinks containers
Although separate refundable drinks container bins have been available in many buildings at all campuses and sites for years, most have, unfortunately, ended up in the recycling garbage stream.
An Empties 4 Food container was brought to our student residences to support the Loaves and Fishes food bank and we are actively working with Loaves and Fishes and Regional Recycling Nanaimo to source many more. We are also working with ReturnIt to bring their on-the-go recycling bins to our Nanaimo campus.
In an effort to reduce the number of refundable containers still being recycled, an “Adopt a Bottle Bin” initiative was launched in the 2026 Fall semester with clubs, groups, and individuals responsible for specific bottle bins and using the proceeds for their clubs or charities of their choice.
Tableware
In 2025 both cafeterias on the Nanaimo campus reverted to traditional tableware and introduced a fee for take out containers. This has slashed the amount of disposable containers and cutlery landing in the garbage by over half in less than one year.
Water
Vancouver Island University and the Students’ Union signed the Water Pledge in September 2011 to eliminate the sale of bottled water at the institution by June 2012. Soon after, water bottle filling stations were installed in almost all buildings at all three of the university’s campuses and have replaced the use of around 2 million plastic water bottles.