Recycling, Reuse and Waste Management

 

Effective waste management is a vital part of Mount Royal University’s sustainability efforts. It takes everyone on campus to make a difference. Every year, our campus produces more than 450 tons of waste, recycling and organic material, the equivalent of more than 25 full-sized school buses!

 

Facilities Management Furniture Giveaway Event

Facilities Management is supporting material reuse with our newest initiative: a furniture giveaway. Whether you need extra storage, want to upgrade furniture or just want to see what's available, check out the announcements section in MyMRU and the Our Community newsletter to stay in the loop with upcoming giveaways. We plan on holding these events once or twice a year, based on item availability. 

In our first giveaway, you can reserve items as of 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. Pick up will take place Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1.

Items will be made available through a live form in Our Community, the announcements section of MyMRU and this webpage approximately two to four weeks ahead of pickup. Availability is limited and items will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will be asked to select a pickup window, sign a release waver, and arrange for collection, loading and transportation of items. For more details, review this summary. If you want ideas on how to repurpose or upcycle filing cabinets, check out this article.

Learn more about pickup instructions and the required release waiver form. This information will also be emailed to participants following successful bidding.

Questions? Email sustainablemru@mtroyal.ca. 


 

Why Reduce Waste to Landfill?

Landfills are designed to store waste, not break it down and most are quickly running out of space. No one wants a landfill in their backyard, and sending material abroad for processing is becoming increasingly expensive. These costs ultimately impact institutions like MRU.

A 2020 City of Calgary landfill study found food scraps, grass clippings, and even a newspaper from the 1970s, completely intact after more than 50 years underground. Clearly, what we throw “away” doesn’t just disappear.


What We’re Doing:

Facilities Management is committed to working with campus vendors to:

  • Reduce garbage generation by increasing recyclable and reusable materials

  • Provide frequent, easy-to-access waste and recycling bin stations
  • Expanding access to convenient, clearly labelled specialty recycling stations- including e-waste, battery recycling, and stationary supply recycling

By making it easier to sort materials properly, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact.

If you would like a specialty recycling container or have questions about what materials are accepted, email sustainablemru@mtroyal.ca. 

 

Campus Recycling Programs: