Recycling & Waste

Lakehead is committed to reducing waste and lessening our impact on the environment through many waste diversion initiatives!

 

Waste Reduction Guide 

Wondering where to bring used batteries or empty toner cartridges? Where to donate that book, binders, or folders? Or pick up a gently-used sweater, pen, or binder? 

To find out, open this Waste Reduction Guide to learn where you can donate (or safely dispose of): Clothes, Food, Kitchen Dishes and Small Appliances, Batteries, E-Waste, Toners and Cartridges, Light Bulbs, Books, Office Supplies, and Furniture.

 

Trash to Treasure Table

Available on the Thunder Bay Campus, this table of incredible finds can be found in the CASES Building Lobby, next to the Graduate Student Lounge (FB-2010). We invite all students, staff, and faculty to use this table to donate or take items, free of charge!

Table full of donated office supplies

Looking to donate?

This table accepts new and gently used office and craft supplies, games, and a few other miscellaneous items. Please do not donate electronic items. See the full list of accepted donations here.  If you want to know where to donate books, clothes, and kitchen items on the Thunder Bay campus, check out our Waste Reduction Guide. 

If you have any questions about the Trash to Treasure table, please reach out to the Sustainability Coordinator, Rachel Portinga, at rporting@lakeheadu.ca. Happy swapping!

 

 

Wolfie's Closet

Wolfie’s Closet is a collaboration of various closets on campus with participating units who collectively gather gently used clothing that students can take for free. Clothing can be donated by anyone year-round, and regular Pop-Up Clothing swaps provide students with several opportunities to refresh their wardrobe. 

To Donate to Wolfie’s Closet: Drop off clean clothes at any of these locations during their open hours: Map of Wolfie's Closet drop off locations

 

  • Office of Sustainability & Ingenuity (CASES 2004)
  • LUSU's Pride and Gender Equity Centre (UC 0019)
  • Career Zone (SC 0013)
  • International Centre (LI basement)

 

Accepted Items: Clean and gently used clothing, shoes, outer wear (coats, hats, mitts, boots, etc.)

To Shop:   1) Attend a Pop-Up, 2) visit one of the following campus closets, 3) if a student needs to urgently access Wolfie's Closet or have questions, please contact Rachel Portinga, Sustainability Coordinator, at rporting@lakeheadu.ca or fill out this Google Form.

Gwen's Closet

  • Pride and Gender Equity Centre (UC 0019)
  • Open year-round  + Pop-up events every semester
  • Free, gender-affirming clothes available for trans and non-binary students
  • Fitting room available
  • Looking for a specific item or Interested in donating? Fill out the item request form.

Career ClosetClothing Swap with clothes on tables in the Agora

  • Career Zone (SC 0013)
  • Summer Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Fall/Winter Hours: Monday - Thursday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Open year-round + Quarterly pop-up events
  • Clothing is always available on a drop-in basis for students needing an interview or professional outfit.
  • https://www.lakeheadu.ca/students/career-development

International Student Winter Drive

  • International Centre (LI Basement)
  • Items collected in Winter (December - February)
  • Accepted winter gear items: winter jackets, boots, blazers, mitts, hats, etc.

Follow these accounts on social media to stay up to date on the next pop-up location!
Instagram: @lakeheadsustainability  @Lakeheaduingenuity  @ lusu.pridecentral  @gec_lusu  @lakeheadintllife
Facebook: Ingenuity, and Lakehead International Student Life

  

Waste Centralization and StandardizationShows three bins with labels: landfill, containers, and paper

In the winter of 2023, Lakehead Thunder Bay transitioned to a centralized and increasingly standardized waste and recycling program. By eliminating office and classroom garbage bins, Lakehead will save over 25,000 single-use plastic garbage bags while promoting increased recycling at its centralized sorters. Each sorting station contains not only trash receptacles, but receptacles for paper and container recycling along with educational signage that directs users to the correct receptacle for their item(s).

Consistent bin placement, type, and signage all promote a greater awareness of how to engage with our recycling programs maximally.

 

We are Single-Use Water Bottle-Free in Orillia

Our Orillia campus is proud to be plastic water bottle free! The Bottled Water Policy in Orillia prevents the sale of single-use bottled water. The program reduces plastic waste, treats water as a right instead of a commodity, and saves money.

 

Water Bottle Refill Stations 

See our Water page for locations of water bottle refill stations at all campus locations.  

 

Reusable Containers and Dining Ware in our Dining Facilities

Lakehead has long implemented reusable incentives on our campuses.

  • Patrons can bring their own mug to The Study for a discount on coffee or tea. 
  • Patrons can bring their own to-go containers to the Main Cafeteria, Timber and Roast, and Cafe 65. 
  • Trayless dining and reusable dining ware in our cafeterias eliminate unnecessary waste from single-use plastic containers.