Welcome to Sustainable Seneca

 

The sustainable Seneca is one of the three pillars of Au Large, along with the equitable Seneca and the more virtual Seneca.

With the release of its first sustainability plan, Seneca is focusing on four priority themes: leadership, community, education and research, and operations.

It isn’t starting from scratch (check out Awards and Recognition). Its plan builds on the work of the Sustainable Seneca Committee and connects its actions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Seneca’s commitment to sustainability is seen in academic programs, services, applied research and physical spaces. This has been recognized by a silver STARS rating from the Association of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Sustainability is a complex objective that goes well beyond the environment. It also includes social equity, cultural vitality and economic responsibility. Everyone at Seneca has a role to play. And, together, the institution is accepting the challenge to build the sustainable Seneca. Seneca's Sustainability Policy is one way Seneca demonstrates a commitment to social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Sustainable Seneca
Sustainable Development Goals

Actions for 2021-2026

To integrate sustainability into everything Seneca does, four priority themes have been identified to establish a foundation for a co-ordinated, strategic and collaborative approach to sustainability:

Sustainable Seneca in Numbers

157

sustainable-focused courses based on the last STARS audit 

2 million

bees buzzing in 50 hives on three campuses

800

heads of lettuce produced each semester on campus in Seneca’s Urban Farm


278

Tesla Model S equate to the weight of waste that Seneca diverts from landfill annually


26

electric vehicle charge ports installed at King and Newnham campuses


1,800

kilograms of compost created yearly at Newnham Campus

                     

Spotlight

City of Toronto grant helps plant 2,600 trees and shrubs on Seneca campuses

July 27, 2023

Seneca Polytechnic’s campuses are greener than ever, thanks to a City of Toronto grant that helped plant more than 2,600 trees and shrubs. The three-year initiative at the Newnham and Seneca@York campuses has created eco-friendly areas that not only mitigate climate change but also support biodiversity.

Horsechestnut, Red Maple and Common Hackberry trees are among the 15 indigenous species planted. Each tree and shrub brings its unique beauty and ecological benefits to the campuses, contributing to a diverse and resilient ecosystem. And that was all part of the plan.

Stories of sustainability