Sustainable TRU
Sustainability is one of our core values
We strive for energy efficiency, seek to engage the TRU community with sustainability events, and encourage involvement in sustainability projects. We are proud to have earned the highest overall score in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) report.
Free Sustainability Conference, Oct. 20-22, 2020
TRU has invested in being a sponsor so that all current TRU students, staff and faculty members can attend — for free! — one of the most famous sustainability conferences in higher education: the annual Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education, hosted by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Learn More-
Update on Bike Sharing
The TRU Bike Share program is being revamped for spring 2021. In the meantime, you can try out a variety of bikes for free — including electric bikes! — during Try a Ride sessions in front of Old Main on Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. Also, get information on bikes and purchase incentives. COVID-19 safety measures are in place so bring a mask in case it’s required. All participants must sign a waiver.
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Working from Home
Check out our PDF for tips on how to conserve energy while working from home. Did you know that as long as a device is plugged in, it uses energy — even if it's turned off?
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Nominate an achiever
Nominate someone deserving for the TRU Environmental Sustainability Achievement Awards. There are two awards for students and one for faculty and staff.
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Apply for a grant
A total of $100,000 is available in the annual TRU Sustainability Grant Fund. In addition, unused funds from previous years are available.
Campus Strategic Sustainability Plan 2020-2025
Highlights
- Plan for a carbon neutral and net-zero energy campus.
- Eliminate single-use items, including plastics.
- Integrate sustainable purchasing throughout campus operations.
- Conserve potable water.
- Advance sustainability performance of the campus built environment.
- Champion sustainability beyond the TRU campus for global impact.
Show leadership, earn a credential
The Leadership in Environmental Sustainability certificate is documented evidence of your knowledge, skills, awareness and attitudes as a sustainable-minded citizen.
How to become a leaderSustainability News
Green is cool: TRU sustainably stands out
TRU has been ranked as North America’s third Coolest School by the Sierra Club, and made the Princeton Review’s 2021 Green Honour Roll.
TRU, you’re so cool
Pledge to save energy by doing one of five things and help TRU become the coolest campus in BC.
TRU commits to ambitious five-year sustainability plan
TRU's new sustainability plan is ambitious and comprehensive, and will guide efforts for the next five years.
How we became super STARS
STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities around the world to measure their sustainability performance. In May 2018, TRU received a platinum rating — the highest ever achievement by any institution.
Key increases in points that took us from gold in 2015 to platinum in 2018:
84%
Using more renewable energy and using less energy overall
95%
Building a culture of sustainability at TRU
93%
Teaching students to be the sustainability leaders of tomorrow
