Environmentally Friendly Initiatives at the OUAC
The OUAC is dedicated to providing a responsive, environmentally-sound and cost-effective service to Ontario’s universities and their applicants. This service includes processing university applications and collecting related fees; administering other central services that benefit all universities; and providing ancillary services, on a fee-for-service basis, to individual universities, governments and related agencies.
Publications
The OUAC produces more than 20 paper publications each year, in English and French. These widely-distributed publications include application booklets, forms, newsletters, brochures and bookmarks. Over the past decade, the OUAC has used several strategies to reduce the impact of its paper publications on the environment.
Promoting Online Resources
Between the 2003 and 2008 processing cycles, the OUAC successfully reduced the number of printed publications by 71%, by promoting online resources and publications, and gradually transitioning to paper-free, online processes. In the 2008 cycle, over 99% of all applicants used the online application, greatly reducing the number of paper applications required. Currently, all printed publications are available online in PDF. These online resources are considered the primary and most up-to-date sources of information at the OUAC.
eINFO
eINFO is a comprehensive web resource that replaces the former INFO magazine, the largest publication regularly produced by the OUAC. INFO magazine contained nearly 160 pages and was distributed to every graduating secondary school student in Ontario. Now, all of the information contained in INFO magazine is available on eINFO, in a searchable format and in PDF, and paper copies are no longer printed.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification for Paper
FSC is an international certification and labelling system that allows consumers to identify wood and wood-based products from well-managed forests and verified recycled sources. Under FSC certification, forests are certified against a strict set of environmental and social standards, and fibre from certified forests is tracked from the forest to the consumer through a “chain of custody” certification system. The OUAC prints many of its annual publications and envelopes on FSC-certified paper stock. Each year, the OUAC increases the number of publications that bear the FSC logo.
Biodegradable Poly Mailers
For certain types of mailings, the OUAC requires a large, very durable envelope. For these mailings, FSC-certified paper envelopes are not an option. The OUAC uses biodegradable poly mailers for this purpose. Poly mailers are large, plastic envelopes that contain an additive that allows them to biodegrade after two years in a landfill, thereby reducing the burden of persistent plastics in the environment.
Electronic Reports and Data Sharing
The OUAC is reducing the number of paper reports sent to its university partners. By the 2012 processing cycle, the OUAC aims to have replaced its paper reports with electronic distributions. In order to facilitate this change, the OUAC is developing new electronic tools that will provide the universities with flexible options for data transfer.
Reusable Plates and Utensils
The OUAC hosts a number of staff lunch events throughout the year. Staff are encouraged to bring their own reusable plate, cup and utensils to these events in order to reduce the amount of paper and plastic waste.
Recycling
The OUAC recycles cardboard, paper, plastic and metal items. Each office and kitchen in the OUAC facility has a recycling bin.
Water
Water coolers are available on each level of the building and staff are encouraged to avoid using bottled water. Meetings at the OUAC provide water in environmentally-friendly glasses.