This past summer, during a meeting in which Algonquin College Student Residence was planning to replace more than 1000 beds, Residence Services Manager, Nicola From, asked a question that would initiate an innovative zero waste project on campus: “Isn’t there an alternative to just dumping 1050 bed sets (or approximately 3000 separate pieces) into a dump site?”

Through the leadership of Bryan Boudreau, Algonquin College Facilities Supervisor, and Sherry Stevenson, Area Manager of Public Affairs at Waste Management, 1050 mattresses and 1050 box springs (and associated metal frames) were repurposed to achieve zero waste status. All remaining parts that were unsuitable for reuse were recycled, diverting them from a landfill.

Boudreau believes, “Diversion is very important to Algonquin College”, and the Campus Living Centres’ team at Algonquin College Student Residence was very excited to help support the College’s sustainability efforts through this project.

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