Royal Roads University, the University I attend for my Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Science is a unique university and campus. It is a former military college and the grounds of Hatley Castle, a historic site built by a wealthy coal heir, and 8th Lieutenant-Governor and 14th Premier of B.C., James Dunsmuir (1851-1920).
At RRU, there is a dedicated staff of housekeepers/custodians who sort all garbage, even after there are recycling and compost bins next to every garbage can.
They only use natural cleaners, and microbial cloths that capture the disease causes microorganisms (bacteria) in the easiest and in an environmentally responsible way, not only for the ecosystem health, but also for human health, as there is current allergic staff and well as proposed future health effects from using the everyday cleaners.
The toilets have low flow, automatic flushes as well as water-free urinals. Yes, water-free urinals. They don't smell, are hygienic, and they save an average of 40,000 gallons of water per urinal per year.RRU Environmental students have major projects for six credits which are practical community and local organization engagements which have major impacts on the environmental movement. One such includes the creation of the STARS (Sustainability Tracking and Rating System) program that is a self-reporting framework for post-secondary institutions around North America to gauge progress towards sustainability. RRU's rating is a silver star rating. Education and Research scores the highest, with an 82.19% score.
The Robert Bateman Art and Education Centre is one endeavor of the University to provide "a catalyst for global sustainability and for dialogue and discovery". http://www.batemancentre.ca/
RRU aims to gain a total off grid sustainable campus by creating infrastructure for its own power, that could be sold back into the grid. Though it can be only economically sound with joint co-operation.
RRU has currently almost completed a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building. It is a 5,781-square-metre centre for new programs and enrolment that was carefully selected on an old parking lot. Parking is limited to deter from the use of single passenger transportation. This also provides good exercise walking up the steep slope off the campus.The building is equipped with numerous windows with thermal insulation and ventilation (opening windows) and a great view of the Juan De Fuca Straight and and glacier capped Olympics mountains. The building is designed for energy performance, and also equipped with solar panels.
