Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that it has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the fifth consecutive year, further emphasizing the college’s commitment to sustainability.

Awarded as part of the 2021 editorial competition organized by the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project, this designation recognizes employers who create remarkable workplaces that minimize the environmental impact of their operations. DC was evaluated on how it incorporates environmental values into its everyday culture, and how it attracts employees through its green initiatives.

This year, the college was recognized for its continued comprehensive approach to sustainability at both its Oshawa and Whitby campuses. From heating and cooling select buildings using geothermal energy, to growing and harvesting affordable food that produces little waste and few emissions at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre), DC continues to prioritize its green initiatives.

“As a leader in post-secondary education, it is our responsibility to pave the way for a greener future,” says Don Lovisa, president, DC. “Taking climate action through sustainable initiatives and capital projects is never easy – but as good corporate citizens, the positive impacts we’ve already made are worth the effort. While this award recognizes how far we’ve come, it also demonstrates our continued commitment to creating a culture of sustainability here at Durham College and beyond. Together, we are leading the way.”

Recent capital projects like the Simcoe Geothermal Field are recognized through this award as helping to reduce the demand for heating and cooling through natural gas, as well as electricity generation. The Energy Innovation Centre, which is also part of the geothermal field project, processes the power and is a living lab for DC students to learn about green energy, while the greenspace atop the geothermal field provides a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for all employees and students to take advantage of.

At the Whitby campus, the Weston Centre is home to numerous sustainable features. There are agricultural growing fields, an apiary, greenhouse, pollinator garden and an arboretum, as well as some experimental projects, such as an old shipping container that has been transformed into a vertical hydroponic garden capable of producing 700 heads of lettuce per week, all year round. This innovative growing space uses 90 per cent less water than traditional farming methods, features LED lighting for growing and eliminates food miles – the distance food travels from where it is made to where it’s consumed.

You can read more about why DC was selected for this award online.