The new interdisciplinary course explores sustainable healthcare, equips students with practical skills and aims to bridge the gap between environmental sustainability and healthcare 

At the start of the winter semester, McMaster University launched SUSTAIN 3HC3: Sustainability and Healthcare, a new course open to students from all faculties and backgrounds. The course allows students to explore environmentally conscious practices in healthcare.  

Unlike traditional lecture-based courses, SUSTAIN 3HC3 emphasizes experiential learning, giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge through case studies and group work. The course structure consists of lectures and tutorials, where students engage in discussions that focus on key topics such as green care, procurement, policy and advocacy and equity. 

Sarah Precious and Marijke Ljogar, co-instructors of the course, spent years in discussion and planning to create a curriculum driven by student interest, healthcare professionals and the need to equip the future workforce with sustainability knowledge and skills. 

Precious mentioned that they collaborated with over nine different experts across various healthcare and sustainability sectors to help co-develop the course. They worked closely with these experts to shape the learning material and pre-recorded guest lectures, allowing students to gain firsthand insights from leaders in the healthcare field. 

According to Precious, the course is capped at 200 students, with approximately 160 enrolled this semester.

“We recognize that it’s a larger class, but we have heard from students over the years that they’re often part of very large classrooms. So, we priortize giving them the opportunity for those [meaningful] interactions, not only with their peers but also with the instructors and TAs. We do things a little untraditionally in the sense of providing as much discussion and conversation time as we can to explore these topics with them,” said Precious. 

We do things a little untraditionally in the sense of providing as much discussion and conversation time as we can to explore these topics with them

Sarah Precious, Co-instructor SUSTAIN 3HC3
McMaster University

Ljogar mentioned that in each session the class will cover different topics, with one week focused on case studies relevant to the healthcare sector. These case studies will change annually and will explore topics such as healthcare leadership and management and the role of AI in sustainable healthcare. 

“We have a week dedicated to equity, where students will review modules, such as the equity module through McMaster.You can’t talk about climate change and not talk about the inequitable impacts it has on individuals in different communities. We’ll discuss these issues not only on a global level, but also on a local level, including case studies like the Code Red study in Hamilton,” said Ljogar. 

Precious mentioned that they are seeing trends in hiring, with companies increasingly seeking individuals with experience in environmental sustainability across sectors. 

“Our hope is that, regardless of what sector you work in — whether it’s environmental sustainability, healthcare or another sector — these are complex issues that require cross-sectoral approaches. We need people in all sectors to understand the impacts of environmental sustainability, and work together across systems,” said Precious. 

These are complex issues that require cross-sectoral approaches. We need people in all sectors to understand the impacts of environmental sustainability, and work together across systems

Sarah Precious, Co-instructor SUSTAIN 3HC3
McMaster University

Ljogar noted that one critical skill exercised in the course is the ability to not only identify an issue and its intersection, but also knowing how to communicate it, especially with people who may not have the background information to understand it well. 

Additionally, students will develop communication and advocacy skills through an experiential learning project, where they will choose from real-world topics including sustainable procurement, improving healthcare access to vulnerable populations, plant-based approaches for chronic disease management and empowering patients to make sustainable healthcare choices. Students will have the opportunity to present their projects to an expert panel. 

Precious and Ljogar emphasized that they encourage students from all backgrounds to take the course, as it is not just for those pursuing careers in the healthcare sector.

“We have healthcare professionals who understand the healthcare system well and environmental scientists who are experts on climate change impact. The gap between these fields is often not very large, and that’s what we’re trying to bridge. You need to understand both to make this work. Anyone interested in this course, we would really encourage them to take it,” said Ljogar. 

As this semester is the first time the course is being offered, Ljogar and Precious are hopeful for its continuation as they actively seek feedback and work to engage students in the course.

McMaster Community Garden’s new expansion is underway, adding green space and improving accessibility for students on campus

The Community Garden at McMaster is expanding behind Burke Science Building and is set to open in Spring 2025. The expansion will double the garden's growing capacity and feature a fully accessible garden, including wheelchair-accessible paths, raised garden beds provided by Raised Beds Canada and a variety of accessible gardening tools and seating areas.

The Community Garden, a student-led initiative launched in 2012 by the Ontario Public Interest Research Group, is located in front of the General Science Building. The garden aims to improve access to healthy and fresh food for the McMaster community. During the school year, all produce grown is donated to food security services, including the Food Collective Centre.

Throughout the growing season, the garden cultivates a variety of produce, such as carrots, kale, strawberries and golden raspberries. The garden also features a grapevine that spans the entire perimeter and a cherry tree. 

Thush Gnanamuttu and Olivia Rowan, the 2024-2025 coordinators for the Community Garden who oversee all decisions and manage the volunteer team, spoke about the design of the upcoming expansion. 

“We worked with accessibility groups including Maccess, Facility services and other on-campus accessibility consultants on the work of the design. A lot of the work this summer was making sure it was a collaborative design and a lot of thought was put into the features,” said Rowan. 

We worked with accessibility groups including Maccess, Facility services and other on-campus accessibility consultants on the work of the design. A lot of the work this summer was making sure it was a collaborative design and a lot of thought was put into the features.

Olivia Rowan, Co-ordinator
Community Garden

Gnanamuttu and Rowan mentioned that the new garden will feature raised garden beds at varying heights, designed to be more wheelchair-friendly and accessible to all. They also noted the addition of an accessible picnic bench that was donated by the McMaster Class of 1954. “We wanted to bring a bench in here because it would be cool to run educational workshops and just have this as a space that volunteers can enjoy as well,” said Rowan. 

Gnanamuttu and Rowan acknowledged the hard work of their volunteers, who assisted in building the garden beds, picnic table and garden shed. 

“It's really important to have community-centred green spaces where people can learn about gardening, get a break from the work they’re doing but also do something really meaningful to support their community and we see that with all the volunteers that come in. They really feel like they have a sense of purpose,” said Rowan. 

It's really important to have community centered green spaces where people can learn about gardening, get a break from the work they’re doing but also do something really meaningful to support their community and we see that with all the volunteers that come in they really feel like they have a sense of purpose.

Olivia Rowan, Co-ordinator
Community Garden

The coordinators also shared their plans to add a Little Free Library in front of the garden expansion. Their goal is to place books about sustainability and gardening education in a public bookcase, allowing people to exchange books as they pass by.

The coordinators recognized several sponsors who helped design and execute the expansion, including OPIRG McMaster, the McMaster Okanagan Office of Health and Wellbeing, McMaster Facility Services, Raised Garden Beds Canada and Little Free Library. 

Despite the difficulties of student budgeting, we can make eco-conscious decisions and manage the emotional cost of "eco-guilt" even when green living feels out of reach

Many students today feel a strong desire to live sustainably, motivated by environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility toward the planet.

However, the rising cost of living presents significant challenges. Organic food, eco-friendly products and slow fashion often come with higher price tags, which makes green living seem unattainable for students juggling rent, groceries and tuition.

This creates a growing tension between values and finances, leading students to question how much they can afford to care and whether their individual actions will truly make a difference.

The reality is that many sustainable products are priced beyond the reach of the average student. For example, organic produce can cost up to 60% more than non-organic options. Organic farming is more sustainable than non-organic because it reduces chemical inputs, promotes biodiversity and enhances soil health through natural practices like crop rotation and composting.

Similarly, bamboo toothbrushes and other eco-friendly alternatives are more expensive than conventional plastic ones. Even thrift stores, once considered an affordable staple for students, are experiencing rising prices due to increased demand for second-hand fashion. This trend places additional financial pressure on students, making it difficult to prioritize sustainability when basic needs are already a challenge.

Fortunately, living green doesn’t always have to come with a steep price tag. There are several budget-friendly strategies that students can adopt. One effective approach is meal prepping, which not only saves time but also reduces food waste.

Public transit offers both a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to driving. Additionally, participating in clothing swaps or thrifting through student-led events provides access to sustainable fashion without breaking the bank. These small changes can make a meaningful environmental impact while keeping expenses low.

On campus, McMaster students have access to several sustainability initiatives that align with eco-conscious living. The OPIRG community garden provides an opportunity to learn about organic gardening and supports local food security. The university’s Zero Waste Club promotes waste reduction through accessible recycling and compost stations across campus.

Despite these opportunities, many students still experience eco-guilt—a feeling of anxiety or frustration stemming from the belief that they aren’t doing enough for the planet. Social media platforms often exacerbate this guilt by portraying an idealized version of sustainable living that feels impossible to achieve.

Young people, in particular, report feeling overwhelmed by the expectation to be environmentalists while also managing academic pressures and financial stress. The weight of these expectations can make it hard to see the value in small, everyday actions.

Simple actions like switching to reusable water bottles or reducing single-use plastics matter, even if they seem small. Additionally, advocating for systemic changes, such as supporting divestment campaigns, can amplify students' impact beyond individual choices. McMaster's institutional efforts to implement greener policies are often more effective in addressing climate change than any single person’s actions, making advocacy a powerful way for students to contribute.

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Despite the prevalence of climate change, students shouldn’t feel burdened by the idea that every action must be flawless or that every product they buy must meet the highest eco-standards. Instead, the focus should be on making intentional, thoughtful decisions that align with both their budget and their values.

Composting, reducing food waste, or choosing public transit are all practical ways to contribute to environmental efforts without adding financial strain. It’s also important to recognize that sustainable living is not an individual burden—it’s a collective effort. In this vein, we shouldn’t feel that an occasional unsustainable action invalidates our overall efforts.

While we may sometimes make non-eco-friendly choices—such as forgetting to bring a reusable bag to the grocery story—this doesn’t erase the impact of our eco-friendly efforts, like bringing reusable water bottles to campus or reducing single-use plastics. Small choices, even when inconsistent, build on each other to create a more sustainable lifestyle over time.

For instance, choosing to take a longer shower one day for self-care doesn’t erase the positive impact of habitually reducing water consumption by turning off the tap while brushing teeth or doing laundry with cold water to save energy.

Students can take comfort in knowing that progress, not perfection, drives meaningful change. By balancing eco-conscious habits with financial realities, we can live sustainably without sacrificing our well-beings. When we embrace progress over guilt, we not only contribute to a healthier planet but also cultivate a more compassionate approach to sustainability—one that celebrates small victories and encourages collective action.

Stop Sprawl Students brings advocates, students and community members to Manorun Farm to discuss impacts of urban expansion and pathways to sustainable development

For the second consecutive year, the campus student group Stop Sprawl Students hosted an event at Manorun Farm, located just outside of Hamilton in Copetown, Ontario.

Held on Nov. 2, 2024, the aim of the event was to help students and community members connect with Ontario farmlands and raise awareness about urban sprawl and sustainable urban planning. This event, held in collaboration with students from SUSTAIN 3S03, offered hands-on farming experiences and discussions around sustainable urban development.

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Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas MPP Sandy Shaw, an environmental opposition critic, spoke to the Silhouette at the event. "It is so nice to see people who appreciate and are here to enjoy what Ontario farmland has to offer. We know that farmland is at risk, so this is a really inspiring and hopeful event for me," said Shaw.

Stop Sprawl Students emphasizes the negative effects of urban expansion, explaining how city growth into surrounding farmland and greenbelt areas contributes to the reduction of agricultural land and increases car dependency.

Emily Gual, co-founder and president of Stop Sprawl Students, said that Hamilton's Class 1 farmland, among the best in Ontario, is under threat from development. "This is a chance for students to see the real-world impact of sprawl," said Gaul, noting that many students have limited exposure to Ontario farmland. Gual claimed that this expansion into and reduction of farmland can increase grocery prices and reliance on imported foods.

This is a chance for students to see the real-world impact of sprawl.

Emily Gaul, co-founder and president
Stop Sprawl Students

Chris Krucker, who operates Manorun Farm with his family, provided a tour of the farm, detailing sustainability efforts like planting 1,500 native trees and shrubs, including pine, oak and various fruit trees, to support local ecosystems. He encouraged attendees at the event to grow locally grown food.

Addressing the group on farmland loss, MPP Shaw discussed Ontario’s loss of Class 1 farmland, noting that about 319 acres are lost daily. She highlighted projects like Highway 413, which would impact thousands of acres of farmland and waterways. “We need to realize what we’re losing in Ontario and once it’s lost, we’re not getting it back,” said Shaw.

Stop Sprawl Students is active in local advocacy, including a campaign to repeal Schedule 12 in Bill 185, which allows developers to appeal municipal building permit decisions to the Ontario Land Tribunal, enabling urban expansion.

MPP Shaw spoke about how she hopes students realize the power they can have when they raise their voices together. "I'm hoping the folks here [will] raise their voice to say that we need to protect this. People raised their voices about the Greenbelt [and] students need to know that when we stand together, we are powerful," said Shaw.

I'm hoping the folks here [will] raise their voice to say that we need to protect this. People raised their voices about the Greenbelt [and] students need to know that when we stand together, we are powerful.

Sandy Shaw, Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas MPP

The event provided both hands-on learning and insights into the significance of sustainable development. Evan Brooks, a third-year SUSTAIN 3S03 student, shared their thoughts after attending the event. “Beyond the games and the fun, there’s a powerful message here,” said Brooks.

Another attendee, Stop Sprawl Students member Leilani Hana, spoke about how important they think Stop Sprawl Students' activism is. “I really enjoy being a part of Stop Sprawl Students; it’s an important club teaching young people to be part of their environments,” said Hana.

Concluding the event, Gual urged students to “take action” in sustainable development and farmland preservation issues within their communities, emphasizing that involvement can range from attending city planning meetings and supporting local food sources to joining advocacy groups like Stop Sprawl Students.

Zero Waste McMaster cleans up neighbourhoods surrounding campus following homecoming parties

On Oct. 7, members of McMaster's Zero Waste club gathered on campus to collect waste and clean up the Westdale and Ainslie Wood neighbourhoods following the events of homecoming on Oct. 5. The student-led club is committed to promoting a low-waste lifestyle to students and community members both on and off campus while raising awareness about pressing environmental issues.  

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Jessica Prevost, co-president of the Zero Waste Club, spoke about the motivation behind the cleanup and the event’s turnout.

“Zero Waste tries to do a cleanup every semester and we usually try to do the fall one around homecoming because with the street parties, it can get pretty gross on the street … so we wanted to help clean that up as quickly as possible … the goal was to help clean up the [surrounding] neighbourhoods, especially for the people who live there who are not responsible for the garbage,” said Prevost.

The goal was to help clean up the [surrounding] neighbourhoods, especially for the people who live there who are not responsible for the garbage.

Jessica Prevost, Co-President
Zero Waste McMaster

Despite fewer attendees participating in the cleanup than expected, the club managed to collect three bags of garbage and two bags of recycling. 

Prevost noted that all supplies, including garbage and recycling bags and gloves for the cleanup, were provided through the City of Hamilton's 'Team Up to Clean Up' community program. "You can sign up a group of people or friends for a cleanup initiative and they provide all the materials for free … If you dispose of [the garbage and recycling bags] at your house, they do not add to the total garbage or recycling bag count, which is super convenient,” said Prevost.  

The Zero Waste club also plans sustainability-focused workshops and campaigns, advocating for students, faculty and community members to adopt less wasteful, low-impact lifestyles. Zero Waste has made a map showing the locations of all compost bins across campus. 

Zero Waste is also collaborating with small sustainable businesses to create a discount program for McMaster students, offering a range of sustainable and eco-friendly products at an affordable price. Local businesses such as "That Planted Fork", "Audstruck Expression" and "The Casual Gourmet" are participating in the program, where students receive a discount code that can be applied at checkout.

Prevost noted that one of the club’s key goals is to emphasize that reducing waste should not be overwhelming and that every student’s impact can be significant. “Zero waste [living] is not as hard as it sounds … it is not about [achieving] zero waste, just reducing waste … it can be as simple as composting, as long as you have the resources, or turning the lights off when you don’t need them … there are many little things that you can do that really matter,” said Prevost. 

Zero waste [living] is not as hard as it sounds…it is not about [achieving] zero waste, just reducing waste…it can be as simple as composting, as long as you have the resources, or turning the lights off when you don’t need them…there are many little things that you can do that really matter.

Jessica Prevost, Co-President
Zero Waste McMaster

The next Zero Waste event will be held on Oct. 29, featuring a hike and Halloween-themed sustainability activities. One activity will teach participants how to carve a pumpkin while promoting minimal waste, ensuring that students learn to utilize all parts of a pumpkin.

You can visit the Zero Waste Club's website and Instagram for more details and to sign up for their events

Local vintage and secondhand shop Hawk & Sparrow offers unique, sustainable and affordable clothing for everyone

Hawk & Sparrow is a vintage, secondhand boutique, located downtown at 126 James St. N. Other than vintage items, they also sell secondhand designer and a mix of everything to accommodate everyone’s styles.

“I don't just do vintage, I also do secondhand designer and then . . . a mix of things. So you can expect a 1950s sweater with a ritzy top and then a Louis Vuitton bag. There's a wide range of brands,” said Sarah Moyal, the founder of Hawk & Sparrow.

Before launching Hawk & Sparrow in 2011, Moyal had a strong fashion background. She worked for Dsquared2 in Milan at their headquarters and did styling in Toronto. 

She always wanted to open a clothing store. Originally, she had wanted to open a new clothing store, but she realized that buying inventory would be too expensive for her, so she switched over to second-hand. It worked for her, and it made her more interested in secondhand clothing.

“It's just so much more interesting to have one of everything. And every one of them is so unique,” said Moyal.

Moyal has experimented with making Hawk & Sparrow accessible through online platforms such as Etsy, but she now focuses most of her energy on the store itself, as she has found that it has been getting busier.

Moyal aims to make her store accessible and safe for everyone.

“I would say it's accessible to everyone and any direction of style that someone wants to go. If they want to play it a bit safe, we have that. If you want to go wild, we also have that,” said Moyal.

I would say it's accessible to everyone and any direction of style that someone wants to go and if they want to play it a bit safe, we have that. If you want to go wild, we also have that.

Sarah Moyal, Founder, Hawk & Sparrow

Most of the items are $5 to $25, and there are $5 mystery bags all year round. Moyal is also open to negotiations. She hopes that her customers will continue to find their favourite pieces at Hawk & Sparrow. 

“I hope that people will kind of find their unique style here, that they'll discover something about themselves, that they'll not feel a pressure to dress a certain way or follow a certain trend, that they'll just feel free to dress how they want, how they feel,” explained Moyal.

I hope that people will kind of find their unique style here, that they'll discover something about themselves, that they'll not feel a pressure to dress a certain way or follow a certain trend, that they'll just feel free to dress how they want, how they feel.

Sarah Moyal, Founder, Hawk & Sparrow

Over the years, she has experimented with different directions –– such as only vintage (an item from another era, usually from the 1930s-70s), vintage artisan (very old and rare pieces from the 1800s-early 1900s that are typically made by hand) and only designer –– for the shop. The current iteration of her shop has had the best reception from the Hamilton community, and she intends to keep it this way for the time being.

Every Halloween we send thousands of tonnes of waste to the landfills, but a switch to more sustainable choices could curb the costs for our environment

With all the candy, costumes, and eerie celebrations, there’s no doubt that Halloween is one of Canada’s most loved holidays. In fact, we splurge over a billion dollars on all the tricks and treats of the season to make each 31st a night to remember. 

But after those few hours of terrifying thrills, we’re met with the most menacing monster of them all – the waste. And although Halloween comes and goes each year, this plastic-filled celebration produces concerning amounts of trash that stay with us long after. 

Harmful plastic waste is increasingly found in almost all types of Halloween products – candy, costumes, decorations, and more – and these products are not good for people or the planet.  

Most Halloween products are composed of non-recyclable oil-based plastics such as PVC, making these single-use items destined for the landfill. What’s more is that PVC plastics often contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals such as BPAS and lead which are linked to chronic diseases like cancer, asthma and diabetes as well as consequences for reproductive, behavioral, and metabolic health.  

Most Halloween products are composed of non-recyclable oil-based plastics such as PVC, making these single-use items destined for the landfill. What’s more is that PVC plastics often contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals such as BPAS and lead which are linked to chronic diseases like cancer, asthma and diabetes as well as consequences for reproductive, behavioral, and metabolic health.  

A report from the U.K. found that 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste, equivalent to 83 million plastic bottles, were produced by Halloween festivities in 2019. While these numbers aren’t representative of Canada, they’re still a reminder of our ghastly overconsumption and waste as we send over 2.1 million tonnes of plastic waste to landfills all year round. And this waste is responsible for killing wildlife, polluting our air and water, and further accelerating the climate crisis. 

Besides plastics, another concerning source of waste during Halloween is pumpkins. Over 80 thousand metric tonnes of pumpkins are produced annually in Canada. Yet, most of these pumpkins end up in the trash after they’re carved out for Jack-O’Lantern season, contributing to significant food waste. The amount of food wasted during Halloween is even more alarming when you think about the hot meals that could’ve instead been served to the one in five Canadians going hungry.  

We can’t keep celebrating Halloween irresponsibly. We need to pivot to sustainable plastic-free, low-waste celebrations, but that’s easier said than done.  

We can’t keep celebrating Halloween irresponsibly. We need to pivot to sustainable plastic-free, low-waste celebrations, but that’s easier said than done.  

Sure, you could opt for more sustainable treats such as homemade goodies, buy chocolate and candy in bulk, and compost or cook your pumpkins. You could even DIY or thrift second-hand costumes and avoid plastic décor and products. However, these solutions aren’t always accessible or affordable for everyone. These alternatives, while necessary, also don’t address the root of this wider issue.  

There need to be greater efforts from the big players involved in selling us these destructive tricks and treats because the companies preventing us from celebrating a plastic-free Halloween are the same companies heavily contributing to the pollution degrading the environment. 

Though the federal government has pledged to eliminate plastic waste by 2030, Halloween won’t look much different then, given our current rate of progress. To stay true to their commitments, the federal government needs to implement a more comprehensive nationwide single-use plastic ban along with strategies for reusable and refillable items.  

Halloween, however, is not the sole culprit for the waste in our landfills. We need to be considerate of the fact that disposable plastics and plastics, in general, are abundant in our everyday lives. And the only way to avoid our scary future is by actively working toward individual and system-level changes that prioritize sustainability now. 

Practicing a sustainable lifestyle may seem daunting, but it's a small price to pay for the future of our planet 

Over the past decade, the use of the term sustainability has soared among consumers, businesses and governments alike. Though the buzzword may seem like a passing trend or another greenwashing gimmick, it’s much more than that.  

Sustainability is simply the act of meeting our needs today in ways that do not hurt the ability of future generations to meet their needs tomorrow. As we grapple with urgent environmental challenges like climate change, resource depletion and pollution, it's clear that we can’t afford to ignore the ugly truth: we’re killing our planet. 

Sustainability is simply the act of meeting our needs today in ways that do not hurt the ability of future generations to meet their needs tomorrow.

Living sustainably is no longer a choice, it’s a shared responsibility.  

Past the grim reality and urgency of sustainable lifestyles, they tend to be deceivingly marketed as expensive, aesthetic ways of life that involve vegan diets and pricey eco-friendly products. 

While it can seem daunting and overwhelming to adopt a sustainable lifestyle as a busy student, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, living sustainably can be affordable, healthy and enjoyable.  

Perhaps the most simple yet impactful changes are the ones you’ve repeatedly heard. At first glance, avoiding single-use items and limiting food waste look like surface-level changes. However, think about the fact that only 9 per cent of the 3 million tonnes of plastic waste Canadians generate is actually recycled or that 60 per cent of food waste generated by Canadians could have been avoided – that's a big deal.  

Even as busy students, we can be responsible citizens. By bringing reusable bags, using refillable water bottles and recycling, you can limit the waste that ends up in our landfills and oceans. And by carefully planning your meals, composting your scraps, and donating excess to food banks, you can reduce your carbon footprint – all while saving money and supporting your community. And the same can be said for other sustainable practices like eating healthy greens and thrift shopping. 

 
Even as busy students, we can be responsible citizens. By bringing reusable bags, using refillable water bottles and recycling, you can limit the waste that ends up in our landfills and oceans.

 

I know that these may seem like baby steps but they are important ones in the long journey towards a more sustainable future.  

By being a sustainable student, you can also be a happier person. Knowing that your moral compass is in check and making conscious decisions for the benefit of yourself and others is proven to give you a good feeling.  

We might be living in a world that still prioritizes convenience today, but as the leaders of tomorrow, it’s up to us to create the new normal.  

C/O @macworldrecord, Instagram. Right: Chainwit, Wikimedia Commons.

Join other McMaster students to break a world record and fundraise for World Forest Day! 

On April 13, McMaster students can join @macworldrecord in an online gathering to break the world record for largest Kahoot game.  

According to a video posted on Instagram by McMaster World Record, Kahoot was the format chosen for this world record attempt to acknowledge the fact that the past two years of school have been at least partially online.  

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“I think it would be nice for McMaster to have some sort of presence in some record book somewhere. Recently, having had to explain the relevance of my university to people who don't live in Canada, it would be cool if we had a gimmick,” said McMaster student Navya Sheth.  

Jennifer Zhu, another McMaster student, observed that the Kahoot could be a good way for McMaster students to identify with the institution after having a significant portion of their degree take place virtually.  

“It seems to be something kind of goofy that McMaster students can rally around and form community around,” said Zhu.  

“It seems to be something kind of goofy that McMaster students can rally around and form community around."

Jennifer Zhu, McMaster University Student

Adam El-Kadi, co-president of Lorax at McMaster and organizer of the Kahoot event, explained that the community-building element is especially important coming out of online school.  

“The idea here is that we just want to finish up online school with a bang and just leave it there. We don’t want to come back to online school,” said El-Kadi. 

Along with being an event that McMaster students can identify with, the event is also being held in support of World Forest Day, which occurred on March 21. The event was originally scheduled to take place on this day, but has since been moved to April 13.  

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According to the video, there are ten different student groups at McMaster associated with organizing this event, including the McMaster Sustainability Development Goals Student Hub.  

The SDG Student Hub reposted the video on March 8, explaining the fundraising side of this initiative in their Instagram caption. According to the caption, each Kahoot participant will earn the initiative a dollar from their sponsors and each dollar raised will translate to one tree planted by Team Trees.  

“The need for climate change action and sustainability is long overdue. It's something we should have done yesterday, rather than now. . .[This initiative] takes the focus out of armchair advocacy, which is the idea that we're just sort of passively sharing [environmental activism] on social media or telling friends about it. [Instead, we’re] stepping up, bringing everyone together, and bringing the whole community together for a single cause,” said El-Kadi. 

“The need for climate change action and sustainability is long overdue. It's something we should have done yesterday, rather than now. . .[This initiative] takes the focus out of armchair advocacy, which is the idea that we're just sort of passively sharing [environmental activism] on social media or telling friends about it. [Instead, we’re] stepping up, bringing everyone together, and bringing the whole community together for a single cause.”

Adam El-Kadi, co-president of Lorax at McMaster

The event is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. on April 13 and students can sign up here to participate in the Kahoot.  

C/O Rosanna Ciulla

How the Glass Jar Refillery is giving used containers and bottles a new life to foster sustainability

By: Emma Shemko, contributor

In elementary school, most of us were taught the three Rs of solid waste management: reduce, reuse and recycle. However, this list is missing a crucial fourth R: refill.  

What does it mean to 'refill'? In terms of waste management, refilling is the act of replenishing old bottles of common household and hygiene products rather than purchasing new ones. Refilling your old containers and bottles helps to keep single-use plastics out of landfills and to prevent our oceans from being further polluted.   

Refilling your old containers and bottles helps to keep single-use plastics out of landfills and to prevent our oceans from being further polluted.   

Rosanna Ciulla is the owner of The Glass Jar Refillery, located at 544 Concession Street. Inspired by the Bulk Barn model, she wanted to expand the concept to include everyday household and personal care products as well. Now, Ciulla's products include laundry detergent, dental floss and hair and beard oil among many others.  

Ciulla partnered with several ethical businesses to ensure everyone can find the perfect product in her store. Most of the companies she has partnered with are also local or at least based in Ontario, such as The Bare Home, Earthology and Pink Posh Fox. These companies and The Glass Jar Refillery share common values and a common mission in helping to create cleaner environments at the local community level.  

C/O Rosanna Ciulla

However, the COVID-19 pandemic brough many challenges for Ciulla and her business. She was forced to change the location of her store, delay her grand opening and limit in-store hours and ultimately had to start as an online store. Ciulla was disappointed to miss out on in person interactions with her customers as she loves interacting with and learning from them, believing  these interactions are an important part of creating a physical space where people can become more environmentally mindful.  

There is so much pressure to be the perfect waste-free consumer, but a finite number of resources are available to help us do so.  

The Glass Jar Refillery strives to make this shift easy and accessible, offering consumers more choices and options. With 24/7 online shopping, local delivery, access to in-store refillery services and a 10% discount for students, The Glass Jar is readily available to support the Hamilton community.  

Switching to sustainable and plastic-free alternatives can be daunting at first glance, but it's not as challenging as it seems. There are three main steps which fall under what Ciulla calls environmental mindfulness that can help simply this transition.  

"We have to be cautious and we have to be aware of how precarious our situation is. We take [living on this Earth] for granted. And our actions speak louder than words. We need to be very careful. When they say, "practice mindfulness," I think mindfulness can also be applied to Mother Earth," explained Ciulla.  

"We have to be cautious and we have to be aware of how precarious our situation is. We take [living on this Earth] for granted. And our actions speak louder than words. We need to be very careful. When they say, "practice mindfulness," I think mindfulness can also be applied to Mother Earth."

Rosanna Ciulla, Owner of The Glass Jar Refillery

For Ciulla, how we decide to interact with Mother Earth is a form of environmental activism and this type of activism begins with our habits as consumers.  

The first step is to create a collection of items that can be used to refill your essential products. Pickle jars, shampoo or conditioner bottles and empty candles are perfect refilling options.  

The second step is to observe how you live: what products are you continuously buying? What areas of your home use the most plastic? Is it your kitchen? Maybe it's your bathroom?  

The third and final step is to remind yourself that you don't have to make these switches all at once. Start by refilling your dish soap one month and see how it goes. Then try switching to refillable laundry detergent the next month and so on.  

The beauty of Ciulla's store is that you can purchase as much or as little product as needed.  

"If you want to try a new product that you're unsure of, just try three quarters or a quarter of your bottle and then come back and say, "Hey, I want to fill up the rest of it"," explained Ciulla. 

C/O Rosanna Ciulla

Ciulla is looking forward to what the future holds for her store and is hopeful that she will soon have more days throughout the week where customers can shop in-store. She has many plans ahead, including creating a starter kit for students because she knows how busy our schedules can get and wants to help us become conscious and environmentally mindful consumers.  

“I'm just excited about what the glass jar is and will become. I think it's just starting to flourish. I'm excited to see where it goes next and I've got some exciting plans for it," said Ciulla. 

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