What has the Faculty done for the environment?
The solar panel installation launched at the Athletic Centre in January 2010 is just the latest effort the Faculty of Physical Education and Health has made to reduce our impact on the environment.
Other projects include:
- installing a new roof on the Athletic Centre that is both reflective and better insulated to lower demand for heating and air conditioning
- installing skylights in the Field House to generate more natural light and reduce the need for electrical lighting
- replacing light fixtures in the gyms, pool and field house with magnetic induction lighting to reduce energy and labour costs
- making a host of upgrades at the historic Varsity Arena to bring its energy efficiencies up to today’s standards
- replacing our laundry’s washers with units that use one-third the electricity and are much more efficient at extracting water from the towels, cutting down on drying time
- installing surveillance cameras in our "bicycle parking lots" on Classic Ave. and Harbord St. to deter bicycle theft and promote cycling
- installing air curtains at our main entrances to keep out the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer
- augmenting insulation around many of our large external windows
- engaging in a significant recycling effort – in addition to the recycling and garbage depots in our buildings, we recycle office paper, cardboard and styrofoam from packaging, wooden pallets and locks; all of our redundant or broken equipment and furniture goes to U of T’s Swap Shop, where it is either reused or recycled; and we have containers on site for the recycling of batteries and cell phones
Finally, the Faculty has just formed a Sustainability Committee to continue exploring efforts to reduce our impact on the environment. If you have any suggestions, questions, or feedback for the committee, please email sustainability.fpeh@utoronto.ca.
For more information about the University of Toronto's sustainability efforts, see the the article "Blue and White and Green All Over" in the latest issue of U of T Magazine, or visit www.sustainability.utoronto.ca.
U of T Solar Panel Project Quick Facts