Our HARP CX-1 Biodigester at the College Drive Campus is an advanced, accelerated aerobic system capable of processing up to 1,000 liters of organic waste per week. In just 24 hours, it reduces waste volume by up to 80%, converting it into a nutrient-rich soil product for campus greening initiatives.

This process operates without generating carbon dioxide, ammonia, or methane, making it a carbon-negative solution for organic waste remediation.

We’ve installed 10 Lomi composting units across our North Bay and Parry Sound campuses, strategically placed in office spaces and lounges. These units help divert organic waste from landfills by turning it into soil, which can be used for campus greening or taken home by staff.

Each unit features two user-friendly stickers: one explaining how to use the unit and the other listing compostable items.

Donate your used clothing, bedding, shoes, and toys with two new bins at our North Bay Campuses:

Items accepted include:

• Household and industrial textiles (all conditions)
• Bedding, towels, and pillows (all conditions)
• Clothing (all conditions)
• Gently used shoes and handbags
• Stuffed animal toys
  
  

These donations benefit Sic Sox Circular Ltd., an Indigenous start-up focused on diverting Northern Ontario’s textile waste. Through their app, gently used items are resold, while unusable items are converted into insulation for homes. Sic Sox also donates 10% of profits to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and gender equality programs.

We are working to reduce waste by recycling non-traditional items that would typically end up in landfills. TerraCycle’s mission is to eliminate the idea of waste by recycling hard-to-recycle materials through proprietary processes. These materials are transformed into outdoor furniture, TerraCycle-made products (like watering cans and storage bins), and industrial products (like piping and floor tiles). Sustainable Canadore, in collaboration with the Canadore Students' Council, has placed TerraCycle recycling boxes around campus, including for snack wrappers, PPE, masks, stationery, and even cigarette butts.

As part of the Go Zero initiative, the Dental Hygiene program actively uses pallet bags to manage and divert waste, while the School of Environmental Studies has implemented specialized collection boxes to properly sort and reduce lab waste.

We are committed to responsible battery recycling through our partnership with E360s. This program ensures that used batteries are properly disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. To make disposal convenient, we have placed large drum bins in each cafeteria and smaller bins in high-traffic areas across campus.

Looking for a disposal location? Find them easily in designated areas throughout our campuses.

Canadore’s IT department diverts used laptops and equipment from landfills through a lease return system. Devices are wiped, cleaned, and returned to the vendor for refurbishment and resale. Dell’s Rotation Technology Program ensures access to the latest technology through a leasing model, allowing regular upgrades while promoting sustainability by reducing e-waste, extending product lifecycles, and enhancing resource efficiency.

Outdated or broken materials are sent to local e-waste recycling locations

Finally, when it cannot be diverted through another stream, we have installed over 25 Waste Watcher sorting stations across our North Bay and West Parry Sound campuses, strategically mapped to align with municipal recycling programs. This consistency helps improve efficiency and reduces the likelihood of recyclable materials ending up in landfills, while also providing students with a clear and familiar sorting system. Each station is clearly marked with eye-catching signage featuring impactful quotes to reinforce the importance of proper sorting.

The five-stream stations are categorized as follows, complementing other waste reduction initiatives across campus:

• Glass
• Metal and Plastic
• Paper and Cardboard
• Waste
  
  

Oscar is the newest addition to Canadore College’s sustainability initiatives, made possible with the support of the Canadore Students’ Council. This cutting-edge technology is designed to guide students, faculty, and staff in properly sorting waste. OSCAR uses artificial intelligence to observe waste disposal habits, providing real-time feedback on whether items are disposed of correctly. If something is placed incorrectly, OSCAR alerts users with helpful instructions to ensure proper sorting.

Featured in cafeterias, OSCAR has been shown to improve waste diversion compliance by as much as 300%. By removing the guesswork, it reinforces sustainable behaviors with positive reinforcement and constructive feedback. It is also mapped to match our municipal sorting guidelines.  See how it works