Sustainability at NAIT

Guest post by Sheryl Hansen

Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata begins “Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence”.  I have been reflecting on the peace in silence idea.  What did Max intend when writing these words?

There is peace in the absense of any human or machine generated sound.  And although it is not pure silence, the sounds of nature can be very soothing.

There is peace in holding my tongue, not saying those things that may bite if spoken to my kids or co-workers or friends.  And there is peace in the knowledge that I preserved someone’s feelings or avoided an inevitable fight.  The absence of the inevitable fight is also sustaining environmental peace.

What about internal peace?  I believe that the constant internal dialogue in a person’s head creates a very noisy internal environment.  The thoughts are very often negative and directed at the self.  Pay attention to what you say to yourself.  Does it sound like this at times?:

• “Gees, why can’t you remember that?”
• “When am I going to get it right?”
• “What’s up with the outfit that woman is wearing?”
• “I hate meetings, I wish I didn’t have to go to so many meetings, when am I going to get the work done that flows from this meeting…?”
• “I know he/she is mad at me.  Why did I have to open my big mouth?”
• “I hate _____.”
• “I hate my ____ (usually a body part).”
• “I wish I had time to _____.”
• “Why can’t ____ do_____?”
• “Why doesn’t he/she listen to me?”

The list could go on and on.  The truth is that most of us have some sort of constant dialogue, never allowing for silence in our heads.  Another truth is, that it is habit to think constantly whether it be in positive or negative terms. 

Practice the art of silence, in your environment and in your head.  Turn off the TV at home for a bit, or drive home without the radio.  And turn off the teleprompter in your head, even for just a few minutes, by focusing on something - a word, an image or a repetitive process.  By the way, this is called meditation, whether or not you look or feel like a yogi!

Silence is golden.  Silence is Peace.

Blog me about your experience of silence.

A big part of Waste Reduction Week (WRW) was the One Simple Act Commitment Booth and the From Farm to Fridge presentation both put on by the Alberta Conservation Team.  A BIG thank you to the Alberta Conservation Team for coming to NAIT to help us celebrate WRW!!

The From Farm to Fridge presentation was a huge success.  All those that attended walked away with some great tips and a cool gift.  If you are interested in getting the information sheets from the From Farm to Fridge presentation you can email me (katiel@nait.ca).

Here is part of a letter sent from the Alberta Conservation Team regarding the One Simple Act Commitment booth.

 

On behalf of the Alberta Conservation Team, I’d like to thank you very much for including the One Simple Act booth at NAIT for Waste Reduction Week.

 

The Alberta Conservation Team discussed methods of waste reduction, water conservation and energy efficiency with 50 staff and students.  A green cleaning prize pack was offered to individuals who committed to a new environmental action. 36 people made 54 environmental commitments and a result, 834 kg of waste will be diverted from the landfill, 2065 kg of carbon dioxide will not enter the atmosphere and 12,639 litres of water will be conserved over the next year. That is the equivalent of 23 car trips from Edmonton to Calgary and 1404 bathtubs full of water. 

 

One Simple Act was pleased to be a part of this event, and believe that it was engaging, rewarding and successful.

Did you do anything special to celebrate Waste Reduction Week?

This week, October 19th - 25th, is Waste Reduction Week!

The waste reduction message is being spread across Canada this week.  The message is meant to encourage citizens to reduce waste and divert waste from landfills.  To learn more about Waste Reduction Week in Alberta check out this link.

Here at NAIT there are a few activities underway.

• Monday  

EcoNAIT booth on waste reduction. It will be located just outside the Common Market during the lunch hour.

• Tuesday 

An information booth set up by One Simple Act, a Government of Alberta initiative that encourages Albertans to lead more environmentally friendly lifestyles. It will be located in the South Lobby from 9 a.m. – 1p.m. 

• Thursday 

“From farm to fridge” Lunch and Learn. Learn how to reduce the environmental impact of your food choices. Limited seating. Contact Katie Kohlenberg (katiel@nait.ca) to register.

• Friday 

EcoNAIT booth on waste reduction. It will be located just outside the Common Market during the lunch hour.

In addition to the above activities Food Services did a mug give away.  If you were one of the first 100 people at the common market today at 10:30am then you would have received a free reusable mug.  It only took 3 and a half minutes to give away all 100 mugs.  The mugs were given away to encourage people to bring in their own mug instead of using disposable cups.

What are you doing to help spread the Waste Reduction message?

Guest post by Sheryl Hansen

On many holiday occasions over the years, I have found myself enduring the company of family, a meal I don’t particularly enjoy or fretting over preparations for an entire day without enjoying the occasion itself. Holidays should be happy, stress-free, relaxing…shouldn’t they?

In order to get closer to happy and relaxing, I have eliminated some of the less positive aspects of holidays. For example, instead of cooking obligatory meals (turkey for Thanksgiving is one example), which many of my family did not enjoy, I instead began a tradition of cooking everyone’s favourites. It is not unheard of in my home to have lobster for Christmas dinner, or salmon on Thanksgiving. Many of the items chosen by my family do not necessarily “go” together, but who cares? Everyone is happy to have been considered and to enjoy their favourite.

I also don’t feel obliged to attend extended family events. Not all families get along all of the time and some families don’t get along any of the time! Sometimes I choose to go to family events, other times I choose to attend only part of the event (dessert only) or to not attend at all. My measure for attending or not, is how I feel when I receive the invitation. If the invitation creates anxiety, or my mind is immediately looking for an excuse not to go, I will decline. There is no point, for me, in being somewhere I don’t want to be.

There is no wrong way or right way to celebrate a holiday. There is only YOUR way. If that entails a bowl of popcorn while watching movies in bed with your kids, do it. Enjoy it. Give thanks for those curled up around you. And don’t feel guilty about it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

NAIT has a new green cleaning guideline and procedure!!

Where can I find these?

You can find the guideline and procedure on the staff portal under Policies, Procedures and Guidelines: Sustainability.

What does this mean?

This procedure and guideline does not only effect custodial services it effects all areas at NAIT. All cleaning done at NAIT will have to follow the new procedure and guideline.  Please take a minute to review the procedure and guideline to determine whether any changes need to be made in your area.

If you have any questions please contact NAIT’s Sustainability Officer, Katie Kohlenberg (KatieL@nait.ca).

Guest post by Sheryl Hansen

A number of years ago I worked for a high profile federal government department.  Our executive director was a busy man, meeting with diplomats and flying cross country and around the world frequently.  One would think that such a person hardly had time for the daily routine of the office.  But that was not Doug.

Every morning, he would stroll through the entire three floors of staff, and stop to greet each one individually.  Some days he would stay to chat.  It was this willingness to know each one of us and nurture each relationship that made him the most memorable boss I have had yet. 

This type of behaviour does not have to be reserved for the “boss”.  Each one of us can make an effort to address and include each and every one of our co-workers.  It could be a physical walk around as in Doug’s case, or it could be an email or a shout out as you are passing an office. 

What is it that you are willing to do, to make your co-workers feel valued?

For more info, click on the link:

Co-workers

Guest post by Sheryl Hansen

My daughter and I were watching Rent the other day, for possibly the 12th time.  The opening song, Seasons of Love, inspired me yet again. 

There are 525,600 minutes in a year.  The average person spends 146,730 minutes sleeping, 560 minutes brushing their teeth, 110,400 minutes at work and 17,301 preparing food and cleaning up (5475 for males).  This leaves 250,609 minutes every year (262,435 for males) to fit in everything else - socializing, driving, showering, housework and leisure activities.  How do you spend your minutes?  How do you WANT to spend your minutes?

There are things we all have to do.  And then there are the things that we must do.  I don’t mean the must do’s that others expect of us, I mean the must do’s that sustain us.  For me, a must do is spending time on the Red Willow Trail in St. Albert, running or walking and thinking or not thinking, depending on the day.  I have made friends with the birds and the trees, and they have heard it all from me; laughing, crying or sometimes both at one time.  If I don’t do this must do, I am not the person I want to be, I am not the person my children and my partner want to see and I am not the teacher I am paid to be. 

What is your must do and how much time do you spend doing it?  How about aiming for 75 minutes a week, for a total of 3900 minutes a year.  That is equivalent to 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  You can do it.  I have attached a you tube video of the song, to inspire you. 

How do you measure a year in your life?

Next week, September 28th - October 2nd, marks the 3rd annual carpool week in Edmonton!

As part of Carpool Week 2009, commuters will once again be invited to ‘Pledge to Pool’.  By pledging on-line to carpool at least once before the end of October, Edmonton and area carpoolers will be entered into a random draw for the following prizes:

• $500 in Free Fuel
• $500 in Free Fuel
• One iPod Touch
• $300 Safeway Gift Certificate
• $200 Future Shop Gift Certificate
• $100 Keg Restaurant Gift Card
• $50 Cineplex Gift Card
• $25 Starbuck Gift Card

If you don’t know someone that you can carpool with then you can register at carpool.ca to find a carpool buddy!

How many times do you plan on carpooling during October?

While shopping the other day I was delighted to see the new Canada Organic label. 

New organic regulations were put in place on June 30^th of this year and now the new labelling has made its way into stores!!  This means that when you see the new Canada Organic label you can be assured that the products were grown according to the Canadian Organic Standards.

The use of the logo is not mandatory, so there may be some organic products that do not have the new label, however in these cases the products still have to name a certifying body.

To find out more about the new Canadian Organic Standards check out the Canadian Organic Growers website.

Have you seen the new recycling centres that are starting to populate the NAIT campus?  If you haven’t then you should go by the Common Market, South Lobby, North Lobby or Fresh Express to check them out!  They are bright blue and made out of recycled material; recycled recycling centres!

Why are we getting recycling centres?

The intent is to increase the recycling capture rate by having more bins as well as a recognizable system.

What can I recycle?

The centres have various combinations of bins including, office paper, newspaper and beverage containers.  As of July 1st, 2009 milk cartons can now be recycled and these are accepted in the beverage container bins, along with plastic bottles, glass bottles, cans and juice boxes.

When will the new recycling centres be in my area?

Over the next few years the entire campus will become populated with these new centres. The centres are being put out in phases starting with the most populated areas.