This societal impact focuses on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.  Lakehead University recognizes the importance of promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production among students, faculty and staff to reduce environmental degradation, resource depletion and climate change.  To achieve this goal, Lakehead University has implemented measures such as waste reduction and recycling programs, sustainable purchasing programs, and awareness campaigns to educate the campus community about responsible consumption.

Sustainable Development Goals by the numbers:

37% of waste was recycled

Research and Innovation

Aquatic Toxicology Research Centre

Lakehead University researchers are contributing to a better understanding of plastic pollution and its impact on freshwater ecosystems. Research through Lakehead’s aquatic toxicology and freshwater ecology programs examines contaminants, including microplastics, and their effects on aquatic environments. Work connected to the IISD–Experimental Lakes Area and the Lakehead University Aquatic Toxicology Research Centre helps advance knowledge that can inform pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, and the protection of freshwater resources.

Lakehead University Environmental Laboratory (LUEL)

Lakehead University’s Lakehead University Environmental Laboratory (LUEL) supports research and environmental decision-making through specialized testing and analysis of environmental samples. Established in 1995, LUEL provides multi-parameter environmental testing and is ISO 17025 accredited. Its work supports the identification and monitoring of contaminants in water and other environmental media, contributing to improved understanding and management of environmental risks.

Teaching and Student Life

Reusable Containers

Lakehead University promotes sustainable consumption by reducing single-use waste and improving campus waste management. Through reusable dining initiatives and centralized recycling systems, the university encourages students, faculty, and staff to adopt more environmentally responsible practices.

Lakehead University is dedicated to enhancing its sustainability efforts through a campus-wide reusable container program for takeout food and beverages.  Students, faculty and staff can enroll in a free app-based program called Cano which tracks their use of reusable containers.  When participants return their containers, they earn rewards that can be redeemed for food and drinks in the cafeteria.

Lakehead University incentivizes students, faculty, and staff to bring their own reusable mugs by offering discounts at participating on-campus food service locations. Additional initiatives, including trayless dining and the use of reusable dining ware in campus cafeterias, help reduce reliance on single-use plastics and minimize waste generated through food services.

Waste Diversion

On the Thunder Bay campus, Lakehead University has implemented a centralized waste and recycling program that replaces individual office and classroom bins with shared collection stations. This initiative eliminates more than 25,000 single-use plastic bags annually while encouraging better waste sorting and increasing the university's overall waste diversion efforts.

During 2025, Lakehead University tracked waste and recycling across its campuses, recording 876.45 metric tonnes of waste and 324.55 metric tonnes of recycled material. Lakehead transitioned to a waste collection provider using on-truck measurement technology, improving the accuracy of institutional waste data and allowing the University to better monitor waste streams and identify opportunities for increased diversion.

Community Impact

Lakehead University uses beverage dispensing systems as an alternative to individually packaged beverages. Bevi usage has resulted in 23,750 bottles and cans avoided, representing an estimated 1.99 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided.

Helping Students Give Unwanted Items a Second Life

Lakehead University provides students with resources to help them responsibly manage unwanted belongings when moving off campus or leaving the university community. Rather than sending usable items to landfills, students are encouraged to sell, donate, reuse, or recycle clothing, furniture, household goods, books, sporting equipment, electronics, and other materials.

The university provides information on local organizations and services where students can donate gently used items, including clothing, furniture, appliances, books, sporting equipment, and non-perishable food. Students are also directed to appropriate recycling and e-waste collection locations for items that cannot be reused. These resources help extend the useful life of products, reduce unnecessary landfill waste, and make affordable goods available to members of the broader community.

This approach complements initiatives such as Wolfie’s Closet by encouraging students to consider reuse and donation before disposal, supporting Lakehead’s broader commitment to waste reduction and sustainable consumption.

Zero Plastic Waste

Lakehead University’s Orillia campus supports the reduction of single-use plastic through its Bottled Water Free Campus approach. By encouraging the use of reusable water bottles and providing access to water refill stations, the campus helps reduce reliance on single-use plastic water bottles and the amount of plastic waste generated through campus activities. This initiative complements Lakehead’s broader waste reduction and recycling efforts and encourages students, faculty, and staff to adopt more sustainable everyday practices.

By monitoring waste generation and recycling across campus, Lakehead can measure the impact of its waste reduction and recycling initiatives. These efforts have helped decrease the amount of waste sent to landfill and divert significant quantities of plastic and other recyclable materials from local landfills.

Administration and Operations

Lakehead Procurement

Lakehead University’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond our campuses and encompasses outsourced services and the supply chain.  Lakehead’s practices align with Supply Chain Ontario, the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, and the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive, which sets out essential procurement guidelines for the responsible use of public funds under Ontario’s Broader Public Sector Accountability Act. These documents outline our expectations for ethical sourcing, reduced environmental impact, and fair labour practices in the supply chain.

Lakehead University is compliant with the principles and practices outlined in the BPS Procurement Directive, and Lakehead University’s Procurement Policy (last updated in 2018, and is currently undergoing review with updates implemented following the completion of provincial legislative revisions) provides further clarity on the directive, including sustainable considerations and minimization of waste.

Lakehead Sustainability Report

Lakehead University publishes an Annual Sustainability Report which addresses the university’s progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This report complements the progress monitoring of Lakehead University's Sustainability Plan (2019-2025) and is regularly updated to reflect ongoing efforts and accomplishments. The report includes updates on energy and water consumption, waste diversion rates, sustainable transportation, ethical procurement, and progress toward specific SDG-related goals.

Waste Disposal and Recycling Policy

Lakehead University’s Waste Centralization Program, introduced at the Thunder Bay campus in February 2023, supports the University’s commitment to reducing waste sent to landfill and increasing recycling. Developed with the Office of Sustainability, Physical Plant, and the Sustainability Stewardship Council, the program standardizes waste collection through centralized sorting stations for containers, paper, and landfill waste. Educational signage and consistent bin placement encourage proper sorting, reduce recycling contamination, and help divert recyclable materials from landfills. The program supports the objectives of Lakehead’s Sustainability Plan (2019–2024), which identifies reducing recyclable materials sent to landfill and incinerators as a waste-management priority.