campusgreenguide

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO
1. Walk, bike, bus or skate instead
of driving a car
• See page 15
2. Think twice before buying something.
Borrow and share, or get it second hand.
• See page 28
3. Eat a meat-free or meat-reduced diet
with local and organic ingredients.
• See page 22
4. Reduce your consumption of
electricity. Lights, appliances, hot water:
74% of NS’s electricity comes from
dirty-burning coal.
• See page 10
5. Turn down the heat. Put on
slippers and a sweater.
• See page 10
6. Abide by environmental laws.
Recycle and dispose of waste
appropriately; avoid pesticides.
• See page 28
7. Use both sides of paper.
Cut your paper use in half.
• See page 49
8. Keep chemicals out of your body,
house and drain.
• See page 38
9. Get informed; climate change is
just the tip of the iceberg!
• See page 7
10. Act: volunteer; write a letter;
discuss issues with friends.
• See page 56
CAMPUSGREENGUIDE
THE
CAMPUS
GREEN
GUIDE
1st
ED. 2006
THE1STED•2006
www.campusgreenguide.ca
LIVING SUSTAINABLY
IN HALIFAX

URGENCY!
In March 2005, a widely-publicized report
called the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment
compiled by 1,360 scientists from 95 countries
warned that almost two-thirds of the natural
machinery that supports life on Earth is being
degraded by human pressure. The report
contained detailed information on how humans
have affected wildlife, farmland, water, fish,
forests, and wetlands, especially within the last
60 years.
Their message is clear: humans do not
properly value the biosphere that sustains us.
Worse, extended neglect is destroying
ecosystems, endangering species in all regions
and threatening human livelihood.
A change is needed if we wish to sustain
ourselves and preserve the species around us.
This must happen on all levels, including at the
institutional level and the personal level.1

3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Foreword page 4
Introduction page 5
THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY PAGE 7
CALCULATORS PAGE 8
ENERGY PAGE 10
TRANSPORTATION PAGE 15
FOOD PAGE 22
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE PAGE 28
MAP PAGE 36
PRODUCTS PAGE 38
HEALTH PAGE 42
WATER PAGE 45
PAPER & FORESTS PAGE 49
BANKING PAGE 54
VOLUNTEERING PAGE 56
COURSES, CLUBS & CONFERENCES PAGE 60
THE CYBERTREE PAGE 63
References page 69
Acronyms page 70
Who We Are page 71

4
This Guide exists because the people at the Sierra
Youth Coalition’s Sustainable Campus Conference held
in Montreal in 2003 inspired me. I met university-age
environmental activists from across the country who
shared their ideas, successes and projects.
As I returned home from the conference, an idea
flashed into my mind for a campus environmental guide:
something that could link people to environmental organ-
izations, businesses, courses and ideas already in place. I
wanted to create a guide for
university people advocat-
ing a sustainable way of
life.
I’ve learned that there
are no quick fixes to envi-
ronmental destruction, but part of the solution to our
planet’s troubles is having individuals make small
changes in their lives. This project aims to direct people
toward a sustainable way of life.
Three years after this project began, after a lot of
speed bumps and a lot of dedication from many people,
the Campus Green Guide is finally complete. I hope you
enjoy it. And use it.
- Adam Popper
FOREWORD
“THINGS DO NOT
CHANGE; WE CHANGE.”
- HENRY DAVID THOREAU

5
LIVING SUSTAINABLY in
Halifax implies a relationship.
The relationship is between a
person and a place; specifical-
ly Halifax, but also Nova
Scotia, Canada, the continent,
and the entire planet. Just like
in a personal relationship,
decisions of all kinds and
sizes add up to a big picture.
Most importantly, every rela-
tionship can be sustained, or
left to erode like an over-
grazed hillside.
The term sustainability
has gone under scrutiny in the
last few years and for good
reason. In terms of the envi-
ronment, “sustainability” is
vague. What is to be sus-
tained? Nature? Biological
diversity? These terms are
merely
human constructs, and scien-
tific principles that are subject
to change. How can we, then,
“sustain” something that is
constantly in flux? In terms of
conserving nature or wilder-
ness, sustainability is proba-
bly the wrong term.
When considering the
environment as a whole, that
is nature and humans, sustain-
ability is a suitable guiding
principle for the relationship.
This relationship underlies all
human endeavours, whether
they are personal, economic,
scientific, or artistic. The rela-
tionship is how our everyday
activities and choices affect
our immediate and global
INTRODUCTION

6
environments, and how our envi-
ronments affect us.
The Campus Green Guide is
not a comprehensive textbook
with every bit of environmental
information, nor is it a phone book
with every important number. Just
like nature, these “facts” and “fig-
ures” will change periodically. In
stead, this Guide is an attempt to
outline some of the concepts at the
foundation of our relationship. It
simply provides some suggestions
toward a sustainable relationship
with our environment and the
practical steps required to achieve
it.
The real work is done by you,
the individual. Everyone from
urbanites to farmers, anarchists to
politicians, and undergrads to
administrators can make a few sig-
nificant changes in the way they
live. A small change every day,
week, or month, is a step in the
growing movement toward sus-
tainability.
Sustainability is about the
health of ourselves, the people
around us, the environment near
and far as well as the economy,
because all of these things work in
an intertwined web.
There are three ideas central to
this Guide we would like you to
consider:
• Join the conversation.
Think, read, learn, and talk with
the people around you. Write let-
ters to companies, agencies, asso-
ciations and governments.
• Vote with your dollars. In a
consumer society, your loudest
voice is often your cash. Spend it
wisely.
• Act. Sometimes acting is as
easy as reducing the clutter in your
life. Sometimes it’s lending a
hand. Your actions count.
Just like the environment, the sections in this Guide are related;
Check these bars for more suggested topics of reference!
The chapters of the Green Guide are divided into three sections:
• The WHY sections of the Guide talk about why a certain
topic is important and relevant to living sustainably. They
talk about the "bigger picture," as well as give information
about the topic specific to Nova Scotia and Halifax.
• The HOW sections of the Guide explain simple changes
you can make in your life to take action towards living sus-
tainably.
• The WHERE sections of the Guide show you where you
can go and who you can call to help you make these changes.
WHY
HOW
WHERE
“TREAT THE EARTH WELL.
IT WAS NOT GIVEN TO YOU
BY YOUR PARENTS, IT WAS LOANED
TO YOU BY YOUR CHILDREN.”
- KENYAN PROVERB

THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY
7
INTERNATIONALLY, ENVI-
RONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
IS CONSIDERED AN ESSENTIAL
COMPONENT TO THE FUTURE
WELL BEING OF HUMANITY
AND THE PLANET.
While sustainable development
cannot be achieved through
changes in one sector alone, high-
er education in particular is seen
as a vehicle to work towards glob-
al sustainability.
Universities have been recog-
nized as one of the key institutions
that can contribute to a better under-
standing of environmental issues, as
well as create sustainable solutions
for the future. Higher education is
recognized as having the ability to
become physical models of sustain-
ability and centres of environmental
research and teaching expertise.
While there is no one vision of
what it means to be a sustainable
university, some common principles
and themes are: creating environ-
mentally sustainable physical opera-
tions; encouraging environmentally
sustainable academic research; pro-
moting environmental literacy
amongst students and faculty; coop-
eration among universities and
countries for the advancement of
sustainability in higher education as
well as partnerships with govern-
ment, non-governmental organiza-
tions and industry; and, the develop-
ment of interdisciplinary “green”
curriculum.
The idea of environmental sus-
tainability also implies a moral
responsibility on the part of higher
education. Universities are vested
by society with the task of discern-
ing truth, imparting values, and
socializing students to contribute to
social progress and the advancement
of knowledge. Higher education,
therefore must impart the moral
vision and technical knowledge
needed to ensure a high quality of
life for future generations.
“The goal of (higher) education
is to make people wiser, more
knowledgeable, better informed,
ethical, responsible, critical and
capable of continuing to learn…
Education, in short, is humanity’s
best hope and most effective means
in the quest to achieve sustainable
development” (UNESCO, 1997).
UNESCO. (1997). “Thessaloniki Declaration”. Gland: United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
DR. TARAH WRIGHT’S VISION OF A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
“EDUCATION … IS HUMANI-
TY’S BEST HOPE AND
MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS IN THE
QUEST TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT”
- UNESCO, 1997

8
WWHHYY
THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
is a concept based on how much
land and water area a human
population would need to pro-
vide the resources required to
sustainably support itself and to
absorb its wastes.
The idea was created by
Canadian ecologist William
Rees. The concept has taken on
worldwide educational signifi-
cance. It encompasses many of
the topics discussed in this
Guide.
Ecological footprint is best
understood in terms of our indi-
vidual environmental impact.
The average Canadian has
an ecological footprint of 8.8
hectares (8.8 ha is 88,000 m2
).
US residents require 9.7
hectares (97,000 m2
) each to
sustain their lavish way of life,
while someone from Ethiopia
uses only 0.8 hectares.1
Dividing the Earth’s usable
land area by its population, the
amount of space available for
each person on earth is 2.2
hectares, not including wild
land reserves and parks.
A major part of our ecologi-
cal footprint is greenhouse gas
emissions. The One-Tonne
Challenge was an initiative of
the Government of Canada that
has recently been discontinued;
however, their Climate Change
website still has a helpful GHG
calculator, tips to help you
reduce, and interesting facts
like: “the average Canadian
uses 5 tonnes of GHGs every
year.”2
Not to be confused with the
One-Tonne Challenge, the One-
Less Tonne website has a simi-
lar goal but uses a different
method, and is still available.
For the person who wants to dig
deeper, One-Less Tonne shows
how their calculations are done.
There are many carbon foot-
print calculators that focus on
our individual GHG
emissions. Every calcu-
lator has different meth-
ods and numbers, so
you can do a few to get
the best estimate.
ESTIMATES FOR INDIVIDUAL ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
EC O L O G I C A L F O O T -
P R I N T I S A C O N C E P T
B A S E D O N H O W M U C H L A N D
A N D WAT E R A R E A A H U M A N
P O P U L AT I O N W O U L D N E E D
T O S U S TA I N I T S E L F A N D
M A N A G E I T S WA S T E .
CALCULATORS

WWHHEERREE
• Redefining Progress and the Earth Day Network have teamed up to
produce this internationally accessible ecological footprint calculator.
It provides some tips on how to lower one’s ecological footprint at the
end of the 13-question quiz. Find it at http://www.myfootprint.org
• Mountain Equipment Co-op’s Canadian-specific calculator has a
slightly different 13-question quiz that usually produces slightly dif-
ferent results. Visit http://www.mec.ca
• Environment Canada’s website offers comprehensive tips on how to
reduce our carbon footprint, and educational tidbits about both our
energy uses and climate change. Best of all, they offer information
on incentives and rebates. http://www.ec.gc.ca
• The Alberta-based Pembina Institute brings us the One-Less Tonne
calculator. This site takes a totally different approach and is worth
checking out, at http://www.onelesstonne.ca
• Other Carbon Footprint calculators. SafeClimate’s calculator is the
best one we have found, online at http://www.safeclimate.net/calculator
• British Petroleum (BP) has a flashy calculator site to publicize their
attempt at a greener image. See http://www.bp.com/carbonfootprint
• On Carbon Neutral’s site you can purchase a service to plant trees
in your name to balance your carbon footprint.
Visit http://www.carbonneutral.com
9
There are many sites online that can help you calculate your ecolog-
ical footprint. They ask you questions about how and where you live.
Then, the calculator roughly estimates your individual ecological foot-
print.
Some ways to ensure the accuracy of your
footprint estimation are:
• Know the area of your apartment or house. If you don’t know this,
try looking at real estate websites through a search engine. Or better
still, get out the measuring tape.
• Know the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Go to the Natural
Resources Canada website to compare vehicles on the road:
http://vehicles.gc.ca
Some shortcomings and possible inaccuracies:
• Of course this is just a rough estimate of your actual ecological foot-
print, which has literally millions of factors. If you are a student from
away, try calculating twice: once for home, and once for Halifax to
see if there is a difference in the results.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions and share your results.
HHOOWW
Check out the online version of The Guide
on our website www.campusgreenguide.ca !

WWHHYY
ENERGY ISSUES are complex
because we use energy in
many different ways and get it
from multiple sources.
TRANSPORTATION aside, we
use electricity and fossil fuels
individually, through every-
thing we purchase, and as part
the of institutions we are
involved with. Here is a sim-
plified outline of our electrici-
ty and heating sources.
Fossil Fuels, including
coal, oil and natural gas, are
dense stores of energy. They
took hundreds of millions of
years to form deep in the
Earth, and are thus a non-
renewable resource. In fact, at
the rate we are using oil and
natural gas, we will run out
within a current student’s life-
time. Estimates vary, but oil
may be around for only 40
more years, and natural gas a
little longer, around 60 years.
Coal resources may take 200
or more years to deplete.1
Extracting fossil fuels is
itself an energy-
intensive procedure and it is
damaging to the environment.
Seismic testing sends loud
waves into ocean and terrestri-
al environments. These loud
sound waves damage ecosys-
tems in Nova Scotia and
around the world. Oil and gas
seep onto land, into freshwater
and the ocean. Spills and leak-
ages can also occur in trans-
port through pipelines and on
tankers.2
Burning fossil fuels to gen-
erate heat and electricity
affects human health, as well
as regional and global environ-
ments. A Government of
Ontario study completed in
2005 found that 668 annual
deaths can be attributed to five
coal-fired power plants. The
study says many more are
admitted to hospital every year
at a cost to tax-payers estimat-
ed at $4.4 million.3
Fossil fuel
combustion also causes dam-
age locally through smog and
acid rain.
Almost everyone has heard
about global climate change.
ENERGY
10

This is a very complex subject,
but simply put, carbon dioxide
(CO2) and other gases that are
released by burning fossil fuels
enhances the heat-trapping
capacity of the atmosphere,
resulting in increased average
global temperatures.
Burning coal releases more
CO2 and other chemicals than oil
and natural gas. Seventy-four
percent of Nova Scotia’s power
comes from coal.4
Nuclear energy is also a non-
renewable resource as there is a
limited amount of uranium in the
world. The nuclear fission
process creates considerable
energy that releases no green-
house gases. However mine and
reactor waste disposal remains a
huge problem. Nuclear plants are
vulnerable to meltdowns, natural
disasters and sabotage that could
release lethal doses of radiation.
Much of Canada gets its
energy from hydroelectric dams.
Thinking globally, hydroelectric
dams produce much less carbon
dioxide than fossil fuel electrici-
ty generating stations. Moreover,
dams are one of the most effi-
cient uses of energy. They are
able to hold water in the reser-
voir when energy is not in
demand. The falling water used
to create electricity is also con-
sidered a renewable resource.
But hydroelectric dams unequiv-
ocally alter river and land
ecosystems both up and down-
stream.
Only 12 percent of Nova
Scotia’s power comes from
renewable sources—mostly
hydro, tidal, and a growing
amount of wind.5
There are many
benefits to using renewable ener-
gy. The fuel is free once the gen-
erator is set up, and it can be just
as or more efficient than conven-
tional sources. Wind is the best
example of efficiency among
renewable energy sources, and
with Nova Scotia’s large coast-
line, wind speeds can be very
high.
Three main barriers stand in
the way of renewable energy:
large energy subsidies go to oil
and gas companies; Canada does
not have a highly developed
wind or solar industry (as there
is in Europe); and a “Feed Law”
that ensures a fair price to indi-
viduals who supply power into
the grid does not yet exist in
Nova Scotia. Europe, and more
recently, Ontario’s renewable
industry have benifited greatly
from such a law.
NOVA SCOTIA’S ELECTRICITY
PRODUCTION IS THE 3RD MOST
GHG EMITTING AMONG CANADIAN
PROVINCES; 74 PERCENT OF NOVA
SCOTIA’S POWER COMES FROM COAL.
This section is related to Transportation, Health, Water, Paper & Forests
11

12
It is important to understand
the harm caused by the extrac-
tion, transportation and combus-
tion of our energy. It is even
more important to reduce our
energy consumption. Some of
the following suggestions are
easiest to do in your own resi-
dence, but many of them can be
done around the university and
at other institutions.
Consider making “informed
environmental changes” in your
life, even if you do not pay
every bill. Unless you are a
homeowner, you don’t have to
bear the full cost of your
upgrades. Request changes from
university residence manage-
ment and landlords.
EVERYWHERE:
• Turn off unused lights.
• Turn off computers and
other electrical devices
when they are not being
used.
• Close drapes (and windows)
during sunny summer days
to keep heat out.
• Close drapes after sunset in
the winter to keep heat in.
Open south-facing curtains
in the winter during the day.
• Unplug appliances and
chargers that are not in use.
They often use energy even
if they’re not turned on.
Look for small lights and
feel for warmth. Try plug-
ging appliances and chargers
into a power bar and turning
off the switch when you
don’t need them.
TODAY:
• Winter: Lower your ther-
mostat, especially at night
and when your space is
unoccupied. One degree
saves two percent on your
heating bill. Wear a sweater!
• Summer: Set your air-con-
ditioner no lower than 24
degrees, and clean the filter
to increase efficiency. Open
windows or use fans instead
of expensive and unneces-
sary air-conditioners.
• Use small appliances like
the the toaster or microwave
rather than the stove to save
energy.
• Let your dishwasher air-dry
overnight instead of turning
the dry-cycle on.
• Air-dry clothing as much as
possible. Indoor and outdoor
methods differ depending on
the season. The cost of a
clothes drying rack will
quickly be offset by huge
CANADIANS CONSUME MORE
ENERGY PER PERSON THAN IN
ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE
WORLD..
HHOOWW
Find more green tips online
at www.campusgreenguide.ca

13
energy savings.
• If you must, dry only full
loads of clothes and clear the
filter before every load.
• Wash only full loads of
clothes. Use front-loaders
instead of top-loaders when-
ever possible.
• Use only cold water for rins-
ing. Most energy from the
washing machine comes
from heating the water.
• Keep all appliances well
maintained. A good example
of something you can do
yourself is to clean your
refrigerator’s condenser
coil. Use your vacuum’s
crevice tool and a long con-
denser brush .
• Be careful not to run the vac
tool or brush into the fan
blade. Make sure the unit is
unplugged. This will save
money and allow your fridge
to run cleaner and longer.
Go to www.davesrepair.com
for a fuller explanation.
• Use human-powered appli-
ances: hand-cranked coffee
grinders and food blenders.
• Plant a tree. The process of
photosynthesis in plant life
captures CO2 released from
the combustion of fossil
fuels. Plant it yourself, or
buy them online. See the
PAPER & FORESTS section
to find out how.
LONG TERM:
• Make sure those lights
you’re turning off at home
are energy efficient, com-
pact fluorescent bulbs. They
use up to 75 percent less
energy and last up to 10
times longer.
• Use energy-efficient fur-
naces that are well main-
tained. A tune up can go a
long way, and is subsidized
by the government. Ask
your landlord, too.
• Keep a well-sealed house.
Consider leaks, insulation,
windows and doors.
• Water heaters use up a lot of
energy. If you are consider-
ing replacing one, research
sustainable options for alter-
natives and the most effi-
cient models. See the
WATER section for further
savings.
• Look for “Energy Star”
qualified products when
buying computers, printers
and small appliances.
• Invest in a programmable,
accurate thermostat that will
save you money in the long
run.
“UNLESS SOMEONE LIKE
YOU CARES A WHOLE,
AWFUL LOT. THINGS AREN'T
GOING TO GET BETTER. THEY'RE
NOT!
- DR. SEUSS: THE LORAX

14
WWHHEERREE
THE BEST PLACES TO DO RESEARCH ARE ON THE INTERNET AND AT YOUR
LOCAL HARDWARE STORE, FOR EVERYTHING FROM CARS TO LARGE
APPLIANCES TO LIGHT BULBS.
• Natural Resources Canada has an initiative that helps consumers pur-
chase the most energy-efficient equipment on the market. This site
includes a “second price tag” calculator to inform you how much your
appliance will cost you in power charges specific to area and its kWh.
Visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/equipment.
• Find information on “Energy Star” products to get more information on
the most energy efficient choices for your home.
Visit www.energuideforhouses.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000.
• The Government of Nova Scotia circulated an excellent “Quick Tips”
guide to “Conserve Energy and Save Money” in your home. To get a
copy call 1-800-670-4636, or go online at www.gov.ns.ca/energy.
• Clean Nova Scotia has lots of information on climate change, energy
choices and solar power. Visit them online at www.clean.ns.ca or call
1-800-665-5377.
• Nova Scotia Power’s website has many helpful features including infor-
mation on green power (and a calculator on how much CO2 you would
spare the air if you bought it), a comprehensive energy calculator for your
home, energy saving tips, an environmental report, how to save paper by
paying your bills online and a lot more. Be aware, though, that the
Kilowatts that actually reach your building are not necessarily from green
sources. Also, a long-term energy solution should not include green con-
sumers paying more for their power. www.nspower.ca
• Solar Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to energy
conservation and the use of renewable forms of energy. They teach solar
workshops and produce resource material among other activities.
www.solarns.ca
• Sustainable Housing gives you information specific to Nova Scotia and
rebates for retrofitting—or making energy saving modifications—to your
residence. www.sustainablehousing.ca
• If you want to do the right thing but are worried about costs, here is a site
that can save you money. http://incentivesandrebates.ca
• Learn about the benefits of wood burning and about the coming end of
cheap oil. Visit www.gulland.ca and www.woodheat.org.
• Wind energy in Canada is one of the fastest growing industries. The
Canadian Wind Energy Association is advocating that 20 percent of
Canada’s energy be produced by wind. www.canwea.ca
• The Scotian Wind Fields Organization is just one organization work-
ing towards this goal in Nova Scotia. www.scotianwindfields.org

15
WWHHYY
THIS SECTION is really a
subsection of ENERGY, but
with transportation causing
half of Canada’s greenhouse
gas emissions, it deserves its
own treatment.
Large amounts of
resources go into transporta-
tion. Materials for roads,
tracks, airports and vehicles
require huge energy and
resource expenditures causing
extensive environmental
damage.
Yet, the most apparent
negative effects of transporta-
tion on the environment come
from the tailpipes of
automobiles on
the roads.
G r e e n h o u s e
gases like CO2
and other com-
pounds that come out of our
cars have global effects such
as climate change. Fuel com-
bustion also produces particu-
late matter and acid rain from
sulphur dioxide and nitrous
oxide, all responsible for
smog.
More local implications
come from the ground-level
ozone released through fuel
combustion. Ground-level
ozone has economic
costs, as well. It damages
local vegetation and agri-
cultural crops. Vehicles
TRANSPORTATION
THERE ARE 16 MILLION PER-
SONAL AUTOMOBILES ON
CANADA'S ROADS. EACH ONE
EMITS MORE THAN 5 TONNES OF
POLLUTANTS/YEAR.

BIKE SHOPS AROUND HALIFAX
New Bike Prices Used Bike Prices Tune-up Price
Cyclesmith (Halifax)
• 902-425-1756
• 6112 Quinpool Road
• www.cyclesmith.ca
$350 and up N/A $35-55
Cyclesmith (Dartmouth)
• 902-434-1756
• 114 Woodlawn Road
• www.cyclesmith.ca
$350 and up N/A $35-55
Nauss Jack Bicycle Shop
• 902-429-0024
• 2533 Agricola Street
$300-$800
* Accepts trades
in some cases
$30-35
Bikes By Dave
• 902-455-1677
• 2828 Windsor Street
$320 and up
(Adult)
N/A $33
Idealbikes
• 902-444-7433
• 1678 Barrington Street
• www.idealbikes.ca
N/A
$80-$100 and
up
$30
Bicycles Plus (Bedford)
• 902-832-1700
• 1519 Bedford Highway
• www.bicyclesplus.ca
$400-$800 N/A $59.99
Sportwheels Ltd. (Sackville)
• 902-865-9033
• 209 Sackville Drive
• www.sportwheels.tv
$250 and up $59 and up $25
Alan Barbour
• 902-431-0127
• 2649 Fuller Terrace
N/A N/A Negotiable
16
emit gases that cause health prob-
lems to humans, and damage ecolog-
ical habitats, both terrestrial and
aquatic.
Although much of the air pollu-
tion in Eastern Canada blows in
from industrial cities across the U.S.
border, local sources are the second
leading cause of air pollution.1
The
Government of Canada estimates
that air pollution is responsible for
5900 premature deaths annually in
Canada.2
Halifax Regional Municipality
has an Active Transportation Plan in
the works. Active Transportation
(AT) is non-motorized, self-pro-
pelled transport. Learn more and get
involved at www.halifax.ca/active-
transportation, or at the Ecology
Action Centre (EAC).
Related harm caused by automo-
bile uses include: collisions with
other vehicles, cyclists and pedestri-
ans, urban temperature change,
reduced physical activity, increased
stress, noise, urban sprawl, increased
roads that divide ecosystems, and
costs to the health system.3
In the
future, healthy communities will
maximize mobility, not automobile
ownership.

HHOOWW
There are many ways to transport ourselves more sustainably. These
methods can enhance our own, as well as Halifax’s, overall well-
being. Here are some tips:
• Walk, bike, and blade. These methods have the lowest impact on
the environment. They are healthy and fun ways to get around.
• Use public transit. According to the Government of Canada,
“One busload of passengers takes 40 vehicles off the road during
rush hour, saves 70,000 litres of fuel and avoids over 175 tonnes
of emissions a year.”
• Go by train or bus. Flying burns a lot more greenhouse gases per
person than the train or taking an intercity bus. For example, the
train is 41 percent more efficient, and the bus is 66 percent more
energy efficient than a plane to travel the same distance.4
Traveling by car is unavoidable at times. Here are a few ways to drive
more efficiently:
• Try carpooling with neighbours, coworkers and fellow students.
• Keep your car well tuned, its tires inflated and wheels aligned.
A properly maintained vehicle can reduce fuel consumption by
10-50 percent.
• Lighten the load. Take unnecessary items out of the trunk. Clear
snow off the car during the winter.
• Drive with conservation in mind. Drive at the posted speed
limit, avoid abrupt stops and starts, and plan routes with efficien-
cy in mind. Fast starts and hard braking only reduce travel time
by two and a half minutes for the average hour–long trip. You also
use 39 percent more fuel, and produce as much as five times more
exhaust emissions.4
• Don’t idle. Idling is when your
car is stationary and the ignition is
on. Here are three reasons not to
idle other than its health effects,
from the Government of Canada:
• It wastes fuel: An idling gas
engine burns about three and a half
litres an hour.
• It wastes money: $1.8 million of
fuel is idled away by Canadians
every day. Idling 10 minutes a day can cost you about $70 per
year in wasted fuel.
• It is harmful to your engine: An idling engine is not operating at
its peak temperature, which means fuel combustion is incomplete.
Soot deposits can accumulate on cylinder walls, leading to oil
contamination and damaged components.
68%OF HRM WORKERS
COMMUTE WITH NO
OTHER PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE.
ONLY 12% USE ACTIVE TRANSPORTA-
TION LIKE WALKING AND BIKING.
This section is related to Health and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
17

• Avoid driving during rush hour and in bad weather. Increased
traffic means more idling time.
• Slow down. According to Natural Resources Canada’s Office of
Energy Efficiency web site, “driving at 100 km/hr instead of 120
km/hr reduces fuel consumption by 20 percent.” Environment
Canada says, “the optimum fuel economy for most vehicles is
achieved at a steady speed of between 80 and 100 km per hour.
Tests show that most cars use about 10 percent less fuel when
driving at 90 instead of 100 km/hr.”
• Collect the discharge when changing your oil. Don’t let this go
down the drain or in the sewer.
See the REDUCE REUSE
RECYCLE section for proper
disposal methods. The same
goes for antifreeze and other
hazardous wastes (like used
car batteries). One litre of oil
can contaminate up to two
million litres of drinking
water.
• When buying a car, make fuel
economy an important factor in your choice.
WWHHEENN
• Join HRM’s Bike Week www.halifax.ca/bikeweek in association
with the Canada-wide Environment Week www.ec.gc.ca/e-week
and the Commuter Challenge, www.commuterchallenge.ca in the
first couple weeks of June. Also during this time is World
Environment Day and Canada’s Clean Air day;
www.cleanairday.com
• International Car Free Day Each year on Sept. 22, over 100
million people in about 1,500 cities around the world go without
their cars. www.carfreeday.ca
• The Ministry of Walking values the experience of walking as a
vital part of everyday life, work and artistic practice. Join the
Meandering Urban Populace Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at the One
World Café, 2412 Agricola Street; ministryofwalking@yahoo.ca
1BUS LOAD OF PEOPLE TAKES 40
CARS OFF THE ROAD, SAVES
70,000 LITRES OF FUEL AND
AVOIDS MORE THAN 175 TONNES
OF GREEN HOUSE GASES
(GHG'S)/YEAR.
18

19
WWHHEERREE
• TRAX is an EAC project that works to promote sustainable trans-
portation in Nova Scotia through projects like the EcoPASS, public
education and advocacy. TRAX receives funding from several levels
of government and community funding programmes. 902-422-0924,
www.trax.ns.ca, trax@ecologyaction.ca
• The Steer Clean program, also an EAC project, offers information
and rewards to car owners willing to recycle their older, high-pollut-
ing vehicles. They are funded by Environment Canada and the
RRFB with support from many community partners. 902-442-0202
steerclean@ecologyaction.ca www.steerclean.ca
BIKE RESOURCES
Local Repair
• Bike Again! is one of the EAC’s many transportation projects. They
provide public education on bicycle maintenance and safety. Repair
your bike, or earn one that has been
donated. They encourage a sense of
ownership and responsibility by
engaging bike recipients to learn
how to maintain their bikes. Feel
free to donate a bike or some time to
Bike Again! They are open to the public on Wednesday between 5:00
p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• REVO Collective offers community bike trailers. For a small fee
you can join the collective, leave your car at home, and transport
your goods by bicycle. Trailers can be purchased and custom
designed. Contact Alan Barbour at 902-431-0127.
• William C. Rudolph sells and repairs antique bicycles. He also
makes beautiful lamps and ornaments from old bike and computer
parts; 902-477-9734.
BIKE REPAIR
• The Bikes not Bombs site has tonnes of PDF information on safe
riding, choosing a bike and a library on fixing everything from a flat
tire to brake repair; www.bikesnotbombs.org/eab-it-man.htm
• Park Tool has an easily searchable and very informative site.
www.parktool.com/repair
• The Bike Website boasts a “complete, illustrated online Bicycle
Repair and Maintenance guide.” www.bikewebsite.com
CYCLING GROUPS
• Atlantic Canada Cycling’s site lists touring routes locally and all
over the Maritimes. www.atlanticcanadacycling.com
EVERY LITRE OF GASOLINE
THAT YOUR CAR BURNS PRO-
DUCES 2.4 KILOGRAMS OF CO2
Check out the online version of The Guide
on our website www.campusgreenguide.ca !

20
• The Bicycle Nova Scotia site is great for the racer, good for the
enthusiast and helpful for the recreational rider. www.bicycle.ns.ca
• The Velo Halifax Bicycle Club is the biggest in the Maritimes and
organizes rides for all levels. www.velohalifax.ca
BIKE SAFETY
• This site is simple and direct. Read every word at
www.bicyclesafe.com
• The Canadian Safety Council is interested in keeping us safe on
our bikes. They explain everything from the basics of wearing a hel-
met to night riding tips.
www.safety-council.org/info/child/bicycle.htm
BIKE SITES
• To prevent bike theft you will need a lock whose quality matches
your bike. Moreover, register your bike at this site to get your bike
back if it is stolen, and to catch the criminals.
www.halifax.ca/Police/Bicycle
• Bike Registry Canada helps to prevent bike theft. Register your
bike, and find it if it has been stolen. MEC members get half off.
www.bikeregistrycanada.com
• The International Bicycle Fund is a non-governmental, nonprofit,
advocacy organization, promoting sustainable transport and interna-
tional understanding. On their website they have a lot of useful inter-
national facts, figures and articles on bikes and other sustainable
forms of transport. www.ibike.org
• Critical Mass is a movement of bicycles in the streets. It exists in
over 250 cities around the world. Usually on the last Friday of each
month after the work day, cyclists get together to bike around the
city. The Halifax group could always use more riders and postering.
Join the momentum online at www.critical-mass.org
MASS TRANSIT RESOURCES
• HRM Metro Transit: Get detailed info on bus routes and times.
902-490-4000. Dal, King’s and SMU all have the U-Pass, a special
transit pass, for students at a reduced rate;
www.halifax.ca/metrotransit
• Train: Find out about train schedules and (student discounted) rates.
The train station is located at 1161 Hollis Street, at the bottom of
Barrington Street; www.viarail.ca
• Bus: Greyhound Canada, www.greyhound.ca and Acadian Bus
Lines, www.smtbus.com, at the Halifax Bus Terminal. 1161 Hollis
Street, 902-454-9321
• Van Pool: www.greenrider.ca The Green Rider offers a van service
to commuters to all of Halifax’s campuses from most communities

21
along the 101, 102 and 118 highways. Their routes are subject to
demand.
SUSTAINABLE DRIVING RESOURCES
• Get together anywhere in Canada with other carpoolers who live or
work near you. www.carpooltool.com
• Halifax used to have a car sharing service that closed in 2004. There
continues to be interest in setting up another car share in Halifax. Car
sharing is already successful in 19 cities in Canada, some of which
are much smaller than Halifax. www.carsharing.ca
• Drive Green, Environment Canada—Atlantic Region has an inform-
ative and simple site that explains why and how to reduce vehicle
emissions http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/epb/factsheets/drive.html.
• The Natural Resources Canada
website has many sections with
useful information and PDFs on
idling, fuel consumption/efficien-
cy and maintenance. Highlights
include calculators that can tell a
driver exactly how fuel efficient
their car is, how much CO2 it
uses, as well as idling calculators that may inspire your wallet and
lungs to change your behaviour http://vehicles.gc.ca.
OTHER INFORMATION
Keep up to date on local air quality levels. Visit
www.atl.ec.gc.ca/airquality especially between May and September to
measure health risks.
Look at our REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE section to find out how to
keep your vehicle, tires and parts out of Canada’s landfills.
Although this Guide does not extensively address the coming end of
cheap oil on planet Earth, it is worth learning more about it. A great doc-
umentary with Canadian Content is The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion
and the Collapse of the American Dream. Rent it at any video store or
go online to www.endofsuburbia.com. There are many websites dedicat-
ed to this topic, but a good start is www.drydipstick.com. Peak oil is the
predicted rise and sharp decline in the world’s ability to extract oil due
to decreasing availability. Some geologists claim that we have already
passed peak oil, while most claim we will do so within this decade.
BUYING PERSONAL CARBON CREDITS
Offsetters puts your donation to use in sequestering carbon through
projects around the world. One of the most interesting thing on this site
is their carbon flight calculator. These credits make a great gift. www.off-
setters.ca
“WE MUST BE THE CHANGE
WE WISH TO SEE.”
- GHANDI

22
WWHHYY
Eating and drinking are two
of the most direct ways we
interact with the planet.
Over the last half-century,
especially in the world’s popu-
lous and industrialized coun-
tries, food has become a mass-
produced commodity. This kind
of large-scale agriculture dam-
ages local farmland and water-
ways. Chemical pesticides and
fertilizers pollute water systems,
cause erosion, alter ecosystems,
and use vast amounts of water
and fossil fuels. Genetically
modified organisms (GMOs)
are a common media topic
because the consequences of
this technology are not fully
known. GMO technology is a
transfer of a gene from one
organism to another. For exam-
ple, fish genes have been suc-
cessfully placed in tomatoes.
If we keep a few concepts in
mind while buying food and
dining out, our relationship to
food can be ethical, enjoyable
and healthy.
Buying local food is not
only good for the community,
but it reduces the need for
excessive packaging and long
distance transportation. Eating
organic means eating more
safely. Organic foods have no
GMOs or hormones, and are
not sprayed with chemi-
cals. Make sure the food
FOOD
THE FAIR TRADE MOVEMENT
PROMOTES INTERNATIONAL
LABOUR, ENVIRONMENT AND
SOCIAL STANDARDS FOR THE PRO-
DUCTION OF TRADED GOODS AND
SERVICES—ESPECIALLY FROM
DEVELOPING NATIONS TO MORE
DEVELOPED NATIONS.

23
you buy is not just labeled organ-
ic, but is certified. Or better yet,
talk to the farmer. Reducing meat
consumption also lessens the
strain on the environment. With
every step in the food chain (for
example, feeding grain to cows
rather than directly to humans),
land, energy, water and chemicals
are wasted. However, not all meat
is produced the same way. Some
local free-range animal farming
makes use of land that is not suit-
able for growing vegetables.
Conversely, some animals are
raised in factory farms.
Keep these three things in
mind, and you are well on your
way to eating more ethically.
“BEFORE YOU’VE FINISHED
YOUR BREAKFAST THIS
MORNING, YOU’LL HAVE RELIED ON
HALF THE WORLD.”
- MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
HHOOWW
Support the local community:
• If possible, buy locally grown foods that are in season.
• Support locally-owned restaurants with vegetarian menus.
• Grow your own food in a garden or kitchen. Sprouts like alfal-
fa are easy to grow even in the winter. They are tasty and nour-
ishing too.
• Purchase organically-grown food. Also consider free-range
poultry and eggs, and buy fair trade as often as possible.
• Eat more veggies. They are good for you and the Earth.
• Join the Halifax Vegetarian Society. Contact Sean Lall for
more information seanlall@hotmail.com.
• Be careful of the seafood you consume; not all seafood is pro-
duced equally. Some fish and seafood are caught in huge nets
that drag along the bottom of the ocean causing damage to
species and habitats. Moreover, the nets catch even endangered
marine life. Bottom Hook and Line Fishing is a less damaging
way of catching the seafood you love to eat. Here’s a short list
of sustainable seafood suggested by the Marine Issues
Committee at the EAC: Farmed Mussels, Halibut, Lobster,
Hook and Line Haddock, Hook and Line Pollock, Mackerel, and
Snow Crab.
• Choose foods with minimal packaging. This saves on produc-
tion and disposal.
• Eat unprocessed foods. They are generally healthier and take
less resources to produce.
• Preserving and freezing seasonal produce makes for great
This section is related to Products & Chemicals and Health.

24
berries, pickles, jams and more.
• Speak up! Tell your supermarkets and restaurants that you want
more local and organic ingredients.
• Beans and Grains are easy, vegan, healthy, filling and trans-
portable foods.
• Read labels in food stores. At restaurants, ask questions about
how the food is produced and processed. Not all items labeled
‘organic’ undergo the same certification process. Check out
some websites listed below to learn more.
• Pack lunches in reusable containers.
• Soy products such as soybean oil, soy beverages, tofu, and oth-
ers make great meat/dairy alternatives. However, soy is one of
the most commonly genetically modified crops in the world.
Guarantee quality by choos-
ing organic.
• Grow your own. The most
local and safe way to get your
food is in your own backyard.
Otherwise, join a community
garden to share the joy.
Composting is a great way to
recycle organic matter back
into your garden.
“ACHANGE IN OUR DIET
COULD CHANGE OUR
DESTINY.”
- AKBARALI JETHA
WWHHEERREE
LOCAL FOOD SHOPPING
• The best place to buy local and organic food of all kinds, including veg-
gies, fruits, soy, grains, breads, dairy and meat is at the Halifax Farmer’s
Market on Saturdays from 7am-1pm at the Keith’s Brewery downtown
between Hollis Street and Lower Water Street. There’s also a market right
across the harbour in Dartmouth near the ferry terminal at Alderney
Landing. Follow this website’s links for info about individual sellers and
a map: www.nsfarmersmarkets.ca
• The Grainery Food Co-Operative 2385 Agricola Street,
902-446-3301. Find info, maps and membership links online:
www.chebucto.ns.ca/Health/Grainery
• Home Grown Organic Foods offers membership, tree and garden serv-
ices, weekly food delivery and more. 6188 Allan Street, 902-492-1412,
www.hgof.ns.ca
• Planet Organic Market 6485 Quinpool Road, 902-425-7400
www.planetorganic.ca
• Terroir Local Source Catering uses local and organic ingredients when-
ever possible. Email Sean Gallagher at localsource@gmail.com.
• SunRoot Farms operates a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) part-
Add your comments and suggestions
on our website at www.campusgreenguide.ca

25
nership between producers and consumers. CSA is part of a growing
social movement that encourages urban and rural citizens to share
responsibility for where and how their food is grown. To become a mem-
ber—which involves food delivery—or to learn more, check out their
website: www3.ns.sympatico.ca/sunroot
• The Herbal Association of Nova Scotia promotes the proper use of
herbs for medicine and consumption. www.herbalns.org
For the freshest in-season foods, check out the roadside markets in HRM:
• Farmer Clem’s, 389 Bedford Highway, 902-443-4391
• Avery’s is on Kearny Lake Road before Highway 102, 902-457-3770
MORE LOCAL INFORMATION
• Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN) exists as a
non-profit co-op to “enhance the viability and growth of the Atlantic
Canadian agricultural community.” www.acornorganic.org
RESTAURANTS AROUND HALIFAX
Student
Discount?
Meal
Prices
Vegetarian
Options?
Local
Ingred?
Organic
Ingred?
Heartwood Bakery & Café
• 902-425-2808
10%
Pay by
weight;
around $9
All Most Most
Satisfaction Feast
• 902-422-3540
• 1581 Grafton Street
15%
$3 - $8 /
$7 - $12
All Some Some
Wooden Monkey
• 902-444-3844
• 1685 Argyle Street
No
$4 - $9/
$9 - $21
Some Most Some
Fresh (The Grad House)
• 902-412-1717
• 6154 University Ave
No $4 - $9 All All Most
Dio Mio Gelato
• 902-492-3467
• 5670 Spring Garden Rd.
ISIC
$7
Combos
Half Some
Not a
priority
Sandbar Café
• 902-425-3474
• 1820 Hollis Street
For
regulars
$3.25 -
$7.25
Half
Daily
Special
Not a
priority
Big Life Cafe
• 902-444-3830
• Halifax Farmer’s Market
No $5 - $10 All Most Most
Bob & Lori’s Food Emporium
• 902-422-3150
• 2179 Gottingen Street
No $5 - $8 Most Most
Not a
priority
Chives Canadian Bistro
• 902-420-9626
No
$7 - $10/
$16 - $30
Some Most Most
Subject to change; Using local ingredients varies widely with the season.
Make sure to ask question

26
• NSPIRG’s Responsible Eating: a Guide to Good Food in Halifax is a
well researched, informative and helpful guide to food in Halifax. It has
good recipes, nutritional info and interviews.
• The EAC’s Food Action Committee is a great supporter of local farm-
ers and sellers. Help out and learn more at www.ecologyaction.ca. They
have also produced a Seasonal Recipes book which you can buy from
www.hgof.ns.ca or at the EAC.
• Heliotrust is an EAC project mandated to conserve organic farmland and
to promote a healthy rural-urban
connection. www.heliotrust.ca
• Take Seafood Action by leaving
wallet-sized cards at restaurants
which ask retailers to consider
serving hook and line caught
seafood. These cards are available
from Sadie Beaton at seafood@ecologyaction.ca.
“YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT”
- ANONYMOUS
CAFES AROUND HALIFAX
Coffee Prices Meal Prices Fair Trade
Coffee?
Organic
Coffee?
Pyramid Café
• 902-422-1768
• 2196 Windsor Street
$1.49 $6-$10 All coffee All coffee
Carlito’s
• 902-444-7555
$1.50 - $4.00 $1 - $4.50 All coffee
All but
Espresso
Steve-O-Reno’s
• 902-429-3034
• 1536 Brunswick Street
$1.25 - $3.50 $4 - $6 Most coffee Most coffee
Paper Chase Café
• 902-423-0750
• 5228 Blowers Street
$1.00 - $3.50 $6 - $8 All coffee All coffee
Just Us!
• 902-422-5651
$1.50 - $3.75
Light organic
lunches
All coffee All coffee
Coburg Coffee House
• 902-429-2326
• 6085 Coburg Road
$1.75 - $3.50 $3 - $5 Over half Over half
Java Blend
• 902-423-6944
• 6027 North Street
$1.00 - $4.00 N/A Over half Over half
The Grad House
• 902-494-3816
• 6154 University Ave
$1.25 - $1.75
$2 - $5
snacks
All coffee All coffee
One World Café
• 902-404-7278
• 2412 Agricola Street
$1.50 $2.25 - $5 All coffee All coffee
Subject to change; Note that neither Tim Horton’s nor The Second Cup
offer any fair trade or organic coffee choices at the time of printing.

27
• The Sustainable Table is a site from the US with great information about
food and sustainability. It breaks down complex issues into understand-
able material with good evidence. www.sustainabletable.org
GMO AND ORGANIC FOODS
• Greenpeace’s online (and PDF) guide lets you know which products and
companies use GMOs in their foods. www.greenpeace.ca/shoppersguide
• The Certified Organic Association of British Columbia has some
interesting statistics on organic farms across the whole country, including
Nova Scotia. www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca
• The Eco-Labels site—by the Consumers Union, an independent, nonprof-
it testing and information organization serving only consumers—helps us
make sense of all the labels on the (US) market. www.eco-labels.org
• The Organic Consumers Association (US) is a non-profit public inter-
est organization interested in sustainability. It has great info on organic
standards, fair trade, health, and they keep their eyes on a few corporate
enemies. www.organicconsumers.org
• The Ban Terminator Campaign seeks to promote government bans on
Terminator technology at the national and international levels, and sup-
ports the efforts of civil society, farmers, Indigenous peoples and social
movements to campaign against it. www.banterminator.org
MORE USEFUL WEBSITES
• Everything you want to know about sprouts and sprouting can be found
at www.sprouts.com. You can get sprout seeds at the Grainery Food Co-
Op and other places around Halifax.
• The Government of Canada suggests
that you eat well and be active. Here
is how to find out more: www.eatwell-
beactive.gc.ca.
• Fair Trade is an environmental
issue. Find out how at www.make-
tradefair.com
• Have a laugh learning about factory
farms on these award-winning sites,
www.themeatrix.com and www.the-
meatrix2.com
GARDENING
• North End Community Gardening Association has been planting and
organizing community gardens all over Halifax since 1998. Become a
member today. http://necga.chebucto.org
• Seymour Green Community Organic Garden. NSPIRG’s garden is locat-
ed at 1443 Seymour Street. info@nspirg.org
• The EAC’s Food Action Committee’s Urban Garden Mentors Project
matches people who have gardening experience with interested gardeners.
EATING A VEGETARIAN DIET
USES 98% LESS FOSSIL FUELS
AND SPARES HALF A HECTARE OF
TREES EVERY YEAR THAN COM-
PARED TO A MEAT-CENTRED DIET.

28
WWHHYY
Living systems work in con-
tinuous cycles of life and death.
One organism’s death makes
another’s life possible. Only in
invented systems do we pretend
that there is a beginning and an
end. The human system of take,
make, waste, and send to the
landfill is not sustainable.
The “out of sight, out of
mind” philosophy might save us
from our conscience, but it does
not save the planet from pollu-
tion. Landfills are filling up
faster every year, and regular
garbage decomposes extremely
slowly due to the manner in
which it is stored. Sometimes,
municipalities incinerate their
garbage which reduces its vol-
ume, but diverts the toxins into
the air.
The best solution is to
reduce. If we align our systems
with the Earth’s system of
cycles—not production-use-dis-
posal—then it will be much eas-
ier to achieve sustainability. The
famous 3 Rs (along with their
cousins “Refuse” and “Reject”)
provide us with a simple way to
act within these cycles.
There is also an important
order to the 3 Rs. Many people
think that recycling is the main
way to act sustainably.
In fact, recycling is only a
fraction of what can be done.
Yes, recycling saves resources
and energy. It reduces our
Ecological Footprint, it helps
Canada meet its Kyoto (green-
house gas) commitments, and it
lessens the need for raw materi-
als. It contributes millions of
dollars to the local economy.
Yet, compared to the other two
Rs, recycling is a distant third in
importance.
Recycling requires waste
products to be transported, bro-
ken down, and reformed. These
processes consume resources
such as fossil fuels, electricity
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
WASTE DISPOSAL ACCOUNTS
FOR 3.4% OF CANADA’S
GHG EMISSIONS. 95% PERCENT OF
THESE GHGS COME FROM LAND-
FILLS, NOT INCLUDING TRANS-
PORTATION.1

29
and water.
Nova Scotia has increased
its waste diversion capability to
a large extent in the last 10
years. However, more recetly,
this progression towards
improved waste diversion has
slowed. Successful reductions
in waste can be improved by
increasing education about
existing programmes, and by
introducing waste reduction
policies such as the “pay-as-
you-throw” systems that have
become successful in parts of
the US and Europe.
Reducing is the best way to
both conceptualize and actu-
alize a sustainable relation-
ship with the Earth.
HHOOWW
REDUCE
• Buy less stuff. Ask yourself questions like:
• Can I make do without this?
• Is it worth the lifetime environmental cost?
• Look for items that are:
• long-lasting and reusable
• minimally packaged
• biodegradable
• made of recycled/reused materials
• simple and require few resources to make
• locally produced, to boost local economy and use less fossil
fuels in transport
• Reduce, Refuse and Reject:
• Polystyrene (Styrofoam) takes thousands of years to biode-
grade and is almost never reusable.
• Avoid hazardous chemicals whenever possible. The average
Canadian household creates 20 to 40 litres of hazardous waste
each year.2
Batteries, motor oil, pharmaceuticals and cleaning
supplies make up a large portion of these wastes. Dispose of
them properly by taking them to the correct facility.
• Borrow, lend and share.
REUSE
• Join Halifax LETS at www.halifaxlets.com. They are a non-
profit, member-organized Local Exchange Trading System
(LETS). They use a local currency called “Salties” that can be
used to trade, buy and sell local goods and services.
• Join HRM Freecycle, a local mailing list where you can get rid
of items you don’t want. There’s no selling or trading, just free
give-aways. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hrm_freecycle and
www.freecycle.org
• Mend broken items whenever possible. Or get them fixed by a
This section is related to Products, Paper, and Energy.

30
pro. Three examples: re-upholster furniture, service appliances,
and resole shoes.
• Bring a refillable mug to campus or work.
• Refuse plastic bags at the grocery store. Bring your own back-
pack or cloth bags. This action can save you a few pennies at
some stores. MEC uses biodegradable bags (www.biobags.ca)
that are corn-derived rather
than petroleum-derived. If
you refuse a bag at MEC the
co-op donates 5 cents to an
environmental cause.
• Buy rechargeable batteries.
• Disposable batteries are very
harmful to the planet. They
leach into the ground, even in
landfills.
• Find out how to dispose of
them properly from the Resource Recovery Fund Board,
www.rrfb.com or call 902-490-4000. Also, MEC recycles the
batteries they sell you. You can often find places to recycle your
batteries in your student union office or in your university’s sci-
ence departments. Just ask around.
• Rechargeable batteries have gotten much better in the last few
years and are readily available. You will start saving money in
only a short time once you
switch. Also, rechargeable
batteries, including cell phone
batteries, can be recycled.
There are lots of places in
Halifax to drop these off. Find
out where at
www.call2recycle.org.
• Hold a “Stuff Swap” in your
community. People bring in
books, clothes and anything else they don’t need anymore, and
pick up “new” things from other people. Take the leftovers to a
charity.
• Use reusable food containers to pack your lunch. You will save
money and save the planet from unnecessary waste.
• Rent instead of buy! It goes way past videos. You can rent
almost anything these days.
• The Halifax Scavenger Society is a loosely-knit group of artists
and activists who meet every other Monday on garbage night in
the North End at the One World Café, located at 2412 Agricola
1998:CANADA GENER-
ATES 29,600,000
TONNES OF NON-HAZARDOUS
SOLID WASTE, ABOUT .7
TONNES/CANADIAN, 67% OF
WHICH IS BURIED IN LANDFILLS.2
“KNOWING IS NOT
ENOUGH; WE MUST
APPLY. WILLING IS NOT ENOUGH;
WE MUST DO.”
- GOETHE
REUSE (continued)
Check out the Campus Green Guide
online at www.campusgreenguide.ca

31
Street, at 8 p.m., to then scavenge by bicycle. They seek to pro-
mote a culture of social justice and environmental responsibili-
ty. Bring a bike (if you’ve got one), mittens, backpacks, and a
flashlight. http://halifaxscavengersociety.wikispaces.com, or e-
mail via halifaxscavengersociety@gmail.com
RECYCLE
• Divide up bottles, cans and papers properly at home and on
campus. Recycling inefficiency comes from improper separa-
tion. Look in any bin on campus and note people’s confusion.
Fifty-three per cent of the waste that ends up in regular residen-
tial garbage should either be going in the green bin, the recy-
cling container or separated as Household Hazardous Waste.
Institutional waste separation is even worse— 68 percent is
improperly disposed of. The following information comes from
www.halifax.ca/wrms.
• If you are unsure how to separate your waste properly find out
from HRM’s What Goes Where document that can be down-
loaded in PDF format from their website. There are different
requirements for houses, condos and apartments. The following
list attempts to fix common errors:
• Organics Green Cart:
• All food and yard waste including bones, oils and fats,
boxboard, soiled paper, napkins.
• Do Not Put In: ashes, wax paper, rocks, logs.
• Recycling Programme:
• Containers: tin cans, aluminum cans, plastic or glass bot-
tles , jars, milk containers, juice containers.
• Most beverage containers are redeemable in Nova Scotia
for five cents per container. Take these back to your local
Enviro-Depot. Go to www.rrfb.com or call 1-877-313-7732 for
a list of locations and for a complete list of what is redeemable

32
and what isn’t.
• Plastic #1 and #2, plastic bags. Put all plastic bags includ-
ing bubble wrap in one bag. Remove items like paper and caps.
• Paper: All dry and clean paper including glossy magazines,
envelopes, and phonebooks.
• Corrugated Cardboard: Fold boxes flat and place separately.
• Regular Trash
• Non-recyclable and non-compostable waste including:
coffee cups, cold ashes, broken glass (wrapped), frozen juice
cans, light bulbs, motor oil containers, non-recyclable packag-
ing and plastics, potato chip bags, Styrofoam, toothpaste tubes,
vacuum cleaner bags, and wallpaper.
• HHW - Household Hazardous Waste
• Batteries of all types, leftover corrosive cleaners, pesti-
cides and herbicides, gasoline, fuel oil, solvents and thinners,
pharmaceuticals, aerosol cans containing hazardous substances,
leftover liquid paint, BBQ
propane tanks, small
propane cylinders (e.g.
camp fuel).
• Special Notes: HHW
materials are not collected
at the curbside. Left over
liquid paint should be
returned to the Enviro-
Depot in your neighbour-
hood.
• Composting. There are
so many ways to do it. In the winter, the easiest option is proba-
bly still HRM’s Green Cart, but there is vermicomposting (worm
composting: easy, indoor, and non-smelly), or the traditional
backyard compost that’s hard to beat whether you’re a gardener
or just want to put you apple core right back into a living cycle.
• Sell. Instead of throwing things out, make them useful to
someone else. Yardsales, classified ads, second hand dealers and
the Internet are your best options.
• Don’t forget that donating items also works.
• Printer cartridges and mobile phones can be recycled at
many places across the city including many Atlantic Superstores
and Rogers Video Outlets, Sobey’s locations and at several
libraries. Find complete lists and locations at
www.think-food.com.
• Sometimes recycling simply means keeping things out of land-
fills. This often requires that you go out of your way or pay a lit-
tle. It makes a difference, though. Pickups can be arranged. This
includes: Paint, Tires, Electronics, Derelict Vehicles,
“ANY FOOL CAN MAKE
THINGS BIGGER, MORE
COMPLEX, AND MORE VIOLENT. IT
TAKES A TOUCH OF GENIUS - AND A
LOT OF COURAGE - TO MOVE IN
THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.”
- ALBERT EINSTEIN

33
Batteries, Syringes, and Hazardous Wastes.
• Used Motor Oil is accepted at any place it is sold.
• About 4,500 tonnes of electronic waste was thrown out in Nova
Scotia in 2003. Electronic waste contains toxic materials includ-
ing: toxic metals (lead, mercury, and cadmium) andbrominated
flame retardants in circuit boards. Proposed legislation would
require producers of electronics for sale in NS to: reduce, reuse
and recycle to the maximum extent possible; demonstrate that
the recycling facilities meet or exceed the Department of
Environment and Labour standards; develop a plan to design
systems that strive to reduce hazardous materials in electronics
and to increase the ease of disassembly. NS Department of
Environment and Labour website:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/waste/docs/electronicwaste-back-
grounder.pdf Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition website:
http://www.svtc.org/cleancc/pubs/sayno.htm
• 7th Avenue Boutique * §
1819 Granville Street, Ste. 100,
902-422-8827
Donations go to Dress for
Success.
• Dressed In Time
5670 Spring Garden Road
902-463-3444
• Allie’s *
1272 Barrington Street
902-420-1070
“Trendy”
• Elsie’s *
1530 Queen Street
902-425-2599
• Encore Enterprises *
1528 Queen Street
902-429-8788 (Ladies)
• Value Village §
www.valuevillage.com
Dartmouth: 902-463-4054
Halifax: 902-450-5134
• Formerly Yours Boutique *
1629 Cunard Street
902-492-3523
• This & That Recycled Fashion*
6188 Quinpool Road
902-444-7757 (Ladies)
• Frenchy’s:
2882 Gottigen Street
902-444-3434
16 Dentith Road, South Ctr Mall
902-477-2437
• Junk + Foibles
902-422-7985
• Salvation Army:
5280 Green Street,
902-425-7684
3667 Strawberry Hill
902-477-4359
• Second Hand Rose * §
1272 Hollis Street
902-423-0617 (Ladies)
• B'dazzle Formal Apparel
7001 Mumford Road
902-482-6000
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters
have used clothing drop boxes
around the city. Find them online
at www.callbigbrothers.ca
USED CLOTHING STORES AROUND HALIFAX
* Does consignment § Accepts donations

34
WWHHEERREE
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY WASTE, RECYCLING AND
COMPOSTING SITE: www.halifax.ca/wrms/index.html
• Also look on their Alternatives to Landfill page
www.halifax.ca/wrms/alternatives.html
• Call HRM at 902-490-4000 to get a new green cart if your property
doesn’t have one.
GOODS & SERVICES SWAPPING AND SELLING/BUYING
• MEC’s online outdoor gear swap: www.outdoorgearswap.com
• Trade anything and everything locally at www.nsmaterials.com
• Free classifieds online: http://halifax.kijiji.ca; “Kijiji” means “village” in
Swahili.
• www,usedhalifax.com Buy and
sell used stuff online, for free.
• http://halifax.craigslist.org
Browse or post for goods services
and more.
• www.u-exchange.com This is an
international barter site that is free
and has NS members.
• Before tossing it out, see if it has any resale value on ebay.ca.
• www.dumpandrun.org Dump and Run is a waste prevention technique that
was developed in university campuses in the US and has come to Halifax
at Dalhousie University. Check it out at http://cesr.dsu.dal.ca. Keep your
ears open every April for this event that raises money for charities while
reducing waste. Donate your stuff, do your shopping and volunteer.
• This year, Waste Reduction Week is in mid-October. Check online to see
how you can help. www.wrwcanada.com
• See our PAPER section for information on buying and selling used books
and textbooks.
USED CLOTHING STORES
There are many used clothing stores in Halifax. Most of them work on
consignment, which means that customers can sell their old clothes at the
store and receive a percentage of the sale price. Every store does this differ-
ently so it’s worth shopping around.
DONATING, REPAIRING AND RECYCLING
• Award-winning Nova Scotia Resource Recovery Fund Board.
www.rrfb.com
• Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation. www.rbrc.org Find out
where to drop off your rechargeable batteries for recycling in the HRM.
www.call2recycle.com
• Dress for Success is an organization that accepts quality clothing to help
low-income women become self-sufficient by getting and keeping jobs.
Contact Halifax program coordinator Maria Tendencia to help or donate.
www.dressforsuccess.org, 493-7377, halifax@dressforsuccess.org
THE AVERAGE CANADIAN PRO-
DUCES 1.7 KILOGRAMS OF SOLID
WASTE PER DAY IN THEIR HOMES.
THAT’S ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF A
LARGE LIVE LOBSTER.3

• Eyeglasses: Every major eyeglass retailer in Halifax accepts used eye-
glasses to be donated to people in need. Many go to the Canadian
National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Alliance Club, or the Orbis
Organization to be donated to people in developing countries.
• Donate your furniture to:
• Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank. It is a Halifax volunteer
organization working to overcome racism, poverty and injustice.
2415 Maynard Street, 902-453-4886, http://parkerstreet.org
• Metro Furniture Bank at 5280 Green Street, 902-492-2300.
• Sports Equipment: Play It Again Sports, Dartmouth, 902-434-7979
• Quinpool Shoe Repair 6424 Quinpool Road 902-423-6592
• Empire Shoe Rebuilders 5881 Almon Street, 902-455-3143
COMPOSTING
• The EAC gives workshops on vermicomposting and backyard compost-
ing, in addition to selling worms; www.ecologyaction.ca. Another
resource is www.wormfirm.ns.ca.
• Bins can be purchased at most hardware stores, or instructions for simple
backyard composters can be found on the Internet. Find bin designs and
more information about vermicomposting from the Compost Council of
Canada, Visit their site at www.compost.org.
• HRM’s compost site is www.halifax.ca/wrms/backyardcompost.html.
• Get your green bin cleaned and buy compostable liners from Glow Clean
Ltd., 865-7965, or The Bin Doctor, www.bindoctor.com, 462-7468.
ELECTRONICS
• Nova Knowledge Technology Recycling, Halifax, 424-5229.
• Raylands Computer Services, raylands@gmail.com, 435-5188. This
service in Dartmouth collects all com-
puters and electronic equipment for a
minimal fee.
• Any kind of office equipment
can be recycled at Lake City
Employment Services. 902-465-5000
o r
www.lakecityemployment.com/techre-
cycling.html
• Ebay.ca has a whole section
for selling, recycling and donating your used electronics.
• reBOOT Canada will accept your used electronic equipment, refurbish
it and donate it to a Canadian organization or school. This costs a small
amount for recycling and pick-up, but it is easy as click-click-click.
www.rebootcanada.ca
• Donate your used computer to the Government of Canada’s “Computers
for Schools” programme. Fill out the form online at
http://cfs-ope.ic.gc.ca
35
MORE THAN 140,000 TONNES OF
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ACCUMULATES IN CANADIAN LAND-
FILLS EVERY YEAR, POTENTIALLY
LEACHING LEAD, CADMIUM AND MER-
CURY INTO OUR ENVIRONMENT.

DDOOWWNNTTOOWWNNDDOOWWNNTTOOWWNN
HHAALLIIFFAAXXHHAALLIIFFAAXX
.
42
42
39
63 66
41
40
13
30
62
32
3
12 36 44
45 46 59
10 29 37
20 33
35 49
17 27
50 57
19 54
8
48
51
61
55
9
26
60
15
18
31 23
58
47
14
34
11
5
4
64
21
38
56
22 28 5216
24
2
25
7
1
65
6
3
43 531. Dal–Studley Campus
2. Dal–Carlton Campus
3. Dal–Sexton Campus
4. MSVU
5. NSCAD
6. SMU
7. King’s
8. Clean Nova Scotia
9. Ecology Action Centre
10. NSPIRG
11. Oxfam
12. Credit Union Atlantic
13. MEC
14. Turnstyle Pottery
15. Bikes By Dave
16. Cyclesmith
17. Ideal Bikes
18. Jack Nauss Bike Shop
19. Alderney Landing Market
20. Halifax Farmer’s Market
21. Home Grown Organic
22. Planet Organic
23. The Grainery Food Co-op
24. Coburg Coffee
25. Pyramid Café
26. Java Blend
27. Just Us!
28. Carlito’s
29. Gradhouse
30. Paper Chase
31. One World Café
32. Steve-O-Renos
33. Big Life Café
34. Bob & Lori's
35. Chives Canadian Bistro
36. Diomio's
37. Fresh
38. Heartwood Bakery &
Café
39. Sandbar Café
40. Satisfaction Feast
41. Wooden Monkey
42. 7th Avenue Boutique
43. Allie’s
44. Dressed In Time
45. Elsie’s
46. Encore Enterprises
47. Formerly Yours Boutique
48. Frenchy’s
49. Junk & Foibles
50. Salvation Army
• Green St.
51. Salvation Army
• Strawberry Hill
52. This & That Recycled
Fashions
53. Second Hand Rose
54. Value Village
55. Empire Shoe Rebuilders
56. Quinpool Shoe Repair
57. Metro Furniture Bank
58. Parker Street Food &
Furniture Bank
59. Back Pages
60. Books R’ Us
61. Cavalier Book Shop
62. Dust Jacket Books and
Treasures
63. John W. Doull Bookseller
64. Last Word Bookstore
65. Schooner Books
66. United Book Exchange
ADAPTED FROM
RALF ROGGENBAUER’S ORIGINAL ART.

38
WWHHYY
Everything we bring into our
lives, every object that sur-
rounds us, has a beginning and
an end. Let’s look
at the stuff in our
lives from a “cra-
dle to grave” per-
spective. Has it been
grown, excavated,
and transported in a
sustainable way? Will it
be around us for a long
time, or will it be dis-
posed of after one use?
When it leaves us,
where will it go? Will
it easily re-enter the
biosphere or will it
take thousands of years
to breakdown. Our
lives are filled with
countless things: objects from
the minuscule to the gigantic,
from the disposable to the
reusable. Learning about the
objects around us helps us judge
their genuine value and their
environmental conse-
quences.
P e t r o l e u m
derived products are
very common in the
m a r k e t p l a c e .
Petrochemicals come
from fossil fuels and
are found in most
plastics and deter-
gents.
Read labels to
help find out what
products are made
of and how they
affect our health
and the planet’s.
PRODUCTS
HHOOWW
PRACTICE CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION
• As with food purchases, buying local and organic ensures a
reduced ecological footprint.
• Choose recycled products, and avoid materials that require high-
ly intensive extraction and processing methods.
• Avoid packaging whenever possible.
• Pass up products tested on or taken from animals.
• Buy second hand. “Recycle” by bringing it back into fashion.
• Health and environment are closely linked when it comes to
personal care and home care products.
• Make it yourself. Learn a skill like sewing, knitting or pottery.
• Pesticides for urban gardens don’t make sense. They are haz-
ardous to the health of all people especially children, and are
unnecessary. HRM has banned them.

39
• When giving gifts, try certificates for a massage, music lessons
or gardening. Give edibles and growables to keep the clutter
down. Try antiques and used gifts. For more tips go to
http://eartheasy.com.
• Alternative materials are easily found in stores around Halifax.
Knowing what to look for requires some research. For example
ceramics are made from clay, whereas plastics are made from
fossil fuels.
• Clean your spaces with non-toxic materials. Many cleaning
products are made with hazardous chemicals that can have dam-
aging effects on our bodies and environment. Here are some
tips to ensure your clean space is a safe space.
CHEMICALS TO AVOID
• Ammonia:
Respiratory and eye irritant, can damage liver and kidneys.
• Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach):
Respiratory and eye irritant, may be a neurotoxin; toxic to the
liver.
• Phosphoric acid, phosphates and phosphorous: Dangerous
for skin and eyes. May be toxic to the central nervous system.
Found in detergents, polishes and bathroom cleaners. Also
harms aquatic ecosystems.
A wide selection of non-toxic, all
natural cleaning products are sold
at local stores. Also try letting
your creative juices flow by pur-
chasing a few basic, naturally
cleansing ingredients and com-
bine them to make your own
effective and safe cleaning prod-
ucts.
SEVEN SAFE CLEANERS
1. Baking Soda (bicarbonate of soda).
A fantastic cleaner that works without scratching. Perfect for
absorbing odours. It is also a mild disinfectant.
2. White Vinegar:
A grease dissolver that deodorizes and disinfects.
3. Lemon Juice:
Not only tasty in lemonade! Lemon juice deodorizes and acts as
a mild disinfectant.
4. Pure Soap:
Soap made from 100% biodegradable cleaners can be bought as
a bar, liquid or in flakes.
AROUND 54000 TONNES OF
GENERAL-PURPOSE CLEAN-
ERS ARE USED IN CANADIAN
HOMES EACH YEAR.
- WWW.EARTHDAY.CA
This section is related to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Water

40
5. Borax:
A naturally occurring mineral that cleans, disinfects, deodorizes
and bleaches. Borax is hazardous if consumed internally and
may irritate skin and eyes, so wear gloves.
6. Washing Soda:
Cuts grease, disinfects, softens water and removes stains and
odours. May be irritating to skin, so it’s always a good idea to
wear gloves.
7. Oils and Essences:
Tea Tree Oil is a cleanser and a healer that disinfects. It is an
effective antifungal oil. Eucalyptus removes fat, grease and
stickiness. It is great for relieving colds and flus.
FUN CLEANING RECIPES
• General purpose cleaner:
Mix 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp.
of soap, and a squeeze of
lemon in 1 cup of water. This
is great for counter tops.
• General Disinfectant:
Mix 1/4 cup borax, 1/4 cup
white vinegar, and half a
lemon in hot water.
• Floor Cleaner:
Mix 1 part (try 1/4 cup) bak-
ing soda, and 2 parts vinegar in a bucket with warm water and
fragrant oil.
WWHHEERREE
SEE OUR FOOD SECTION FOR PLACES TO BUY EARTH-SAFE CLEANERS
NON-TOXIC
• Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia is a non-
profit organization that promotes awareness and prevention of
environmental health hazards. They have produced an informa-
tive website that educates on how to avoid all kinds of chemi-
cals: www.lesstoxicguide.ca.
• HolistiClean is a Halifax-based cleaning service, offering envi-
ronmentally sound home cleaning. They even travel to your
home or business by bike or public transportation.
www.holisticlean.com.
• Dandy Lion Eco-interior Painting offers a socially and envi-
ronmentally responsible solution to home improvement proj-
ects. They offer hypo-allergenic alternatives. Call or email for a
free consultation. 902-404-1742, dandylionecopaint@yahoo.ca
“ALL THINGS ARE CON-
NECTED. WHATEVER
BEFALLS THE EARTH, BEFALLS THE
CHILDREN OF THE EARTH."
- CHIEF SEATTLE

• Bebbington has three lines of cleaners for various sized jobs. The
most well-known and available for home use is their Down East
cleansers and detergents. www.bebbingtonindustries.com
• Nature Clean is a Canadian brand of alternative cleaning sup-
plies. They are biodegradable, non-toxic, low on packaging, not
tested on animals, hypoaller-
genic and affordable. You can
buy them in stores or online at
www.franktross.com/nature or
www.shopnontoxic.com
• Earth Easy is an
extremely resourceful website
with a vast collection of infor-
mation and an extensive section on non-toxic home cleaning. Visit
them online at: http://eartheasy.covm/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
• The Healthy Living Serious web site has great and simple clean-
ing solutions at
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/14
PRODUCTS
• Grassroots is a Canadian company that operates several stores
and a quality online site where you can buy many safe cleaning
supplies; www.grassrootsstore.com
• MEC has a great line of organic cotton clothing; www.mec.ca
GIFTS
• CanadaHelps is a website that
makes it easy to donate to your
favorite Canadian charities
online. They have gift cards to
make it easy to donate in a
friend’s name.
www.canadahelps.org
• Oxfam is an organization that works towards a safe, fair and sus-
tainable world. Give a gift in someone else’s name online at
www.oxfam.ca/what_you_can_do.
MAKE IT YOURSELF
• Turnstile Pottery Co-op is a cooperatively managed, fully
equipped, pottery studio on Gottingen Street, available to clay
artists through monthly membership and to the general public
through community classes. www.turnstilepottery.com
• Kreative Knits and Designs has everything from the beginner to
the expert. Visit them at www.kreativeknitsanddesigns.com.
41
“LIVE SIMPLY, SO THAT ALL
MAY SIMPLY LIVE.”
- ELIZABETH ANN SETON
“SIMPLICITY IS THE ULTI-
MATE SOPHISTICATION.”
- LEONARDO DAVINCI
Find more green tips online
at www.campusgreenguide.ca

42
HEALTH & WELLNESS
WWHHYY
Undoubtedly, there is a con-
nection between the environ-
ment and our health. It is
through the air, the water, the
land and the objects that sur-
round us that our pollution
comes back to pollute our bod-
ies. A healthy relationship with
the Earth can mean health and
longevity for everyone.
Wellness establishes an
encompassing idea of the inter-
action between mind, body and
spirit and recognizes the body’s
connection to the surrounding
environment. Rather than solv-
ing health concerns as they
arise, a wellness approach
emphasizes maintaining a
healthy lifestyle to prevent ill-
ness.
HHOOWW
THE WELLNESS APPROACH:
1. Good nutrition means eating foods low in animal fats and
high in fiber.

43
2. Exercise is vital to maintaining wellness.
3. Meditation can help us reflect on our inner self and spiritual
nature and can provide clarity to our lives. This helps in reduc-
ing stress and maintaining wellbeing.
Alternative health practices can be good for your body and the
Earth. Alternative and Complementary Therapies either com-
bine with the treatment you can
get from your doctor or can
replace it. Some doctors now offer
multiple kinds of therapies.
Just as you would with your doc-
tor, find a properly-trained health
care professional to match your
particular health needs. Here are a
few suggestions:
• Acupuncture manipulates how energy (qi) flows throughout
the body’s major pathways. These pathways are obstructed by
things such as bad diet or stress. Acupuncture can resolve illness
by stimulating one of the acupuncture points, which alter or
restore energy flow and health.
• Aromatherapy is the application of essential oils for therapeu-
tic purposes. Essential oils are commonly administered by
inhalation since the nose has the most direct route to the part of
the brain that controls heart rate, blood pressure, breathing,
stress levels and hormone balance.
• Homeopathy strives to stimu-
late healing symptoms with natu-
ral substances to achieve balance,
or homeostasis, in the body.
Homeopathy evokes symptoms of
the disease in order to aid the body
in healing itself.
• Massage Therapy works on
the soft tissue of the body, mostly
the muscles and ligaments, and
aims to provide a sense of relax-
ation.
• Naturopathy is based on the idea of the body as a self-healing
organism, and is the practice of treating the person rather than
the disease or illness.
• Reflexology works toward healing internal organs through cor-
responding reflex points at the body’s surface. Massage tech-
niques applied to the appropriate areas allow healing effects.
Most university health plans will aid in alternative health options if
you can get a reference from your doctor for the ailment. Check
your own policy to be sure.
“EVERYONE ON THE PLANET
LIVES DOWNSTREAM FROM
SOMEONE ELSE.”
- ANONYMOUS
This section is related to Products & Chemicals, Food, and others.
“WATER AND AIR, THE TWO
ESSENTIAL FLUIDS ON
WHICH ALL LIFE DEPENDS, HAVE
BECOME GLOBAL GARBAGE CANS."
- JACQUES COUSTEAU

44
ALTERNATIVE BIRTH-CONTROL OPTIONS
One birth control alternative to condoms or the birth control pill
is known as Natural Family Planning. It is 75% to 95% effective
if used correctly. With this alternative you come to know your body
and your unique fertility cycle.
For more information about Natural Family Planning, contact
Savayda Jarone, Medical Herbalist and Fertility Awareness
Educator, at 902-431-4105 or wildoats@ns.sympatico.ca.
ALTERNATIVE MENSTRUATION OPTIONS
There are over 11.3 billion tampons and pads per year disposed
into land fill sites. It takes approximately 500 years for one dispos-
able menstrual pad to biodegrade.1
There are also harmful chemicals
in non-organic tampons and pads including dioxin, which have been
linked to breast cancer.2
• Some alternatives include the Keeper or Diva Cup which col-
lects menstrual flow and is reusable. Cotton Reusable Pads are
also washed and reused. Find out how to make your own online
at http://pacificcoast.net/~manymoons/howto.html.
• Organic Tampons and Pads: These alternative options are
made from chlorine-free, natural cellulose materials and are
over 95% percent biodegradable.
WHERE
Venus Envy sells alternative men-
struation options. 1598 Barrington
Street, www.venusenvy.ca/halifax,
902-422-0004.
The Source is a local alternative
health magazine which is a good link
to local alternative health profession-
als. It is available for free around the
city and on online:
http://home.ca.inter.net/~source/the-
sourcemagazine
The Nova Scotia Health Directory
is a free publication and is
available online at
www.healthhelp.ca.

45
WWHHYY
QUANTITY
There is more freshwater in
Canada than in any other country on
Earth which might explain why we
use so much of it. Each Canadian on
average uses 335 litres of water for
domestic purposes everyday.1
It is
clear we take our water for granted.
Let’s keep a few things in mind
when using water so that we do not
overuse it.
Water is connected to industry
and agriculture. In developed coun-
tries like Canada, 90 percent of the
fresh water used is in industries and
in agriculture. That does not mean
turning off your tap and fixing leaks
aren’t important, but it does
mean we can
reduce our
water con-
sumption by making choices like
eating organic food, and reducing
our paper use.
Water and energy are insepa-
rable. It takes energy to clean water
and bring it to your tap or toilet. In
1996, 44.6 billion m3 of water was
extracted in Canada for human uses.
Thermal power generation used 64
percent of this total for cooling and
steam production in conventional
and nuclear power plants.2
Therefore
a reduction in water use cuts our
dependence on fossil fuels, and a
reduction in energy use is a conser-
vation of precious water resources.
Moreover, global climate change is
affecting weather patterns, which
will increase precipitation in some
regions and decrease it in others. In
this way, our use of fossil fuels and
associated emissions of GHGs
will affect future distribution of
freshwater resources.3
QUALITY
We share our nat-
ural water sources
with non-human life.
If you agree that humans
are not the only liv-
ing beings with
value, then reconsid-
ering water use is
a great way to pre-
serve life on the
planet.
Consider both
intake and output.
Reducing water use is
of primary concern to pre-
This section is related to Energy, Products & Chemicals, Food and Health.
WATER

46
HHOOWW
REDUCE WATER USE:
In General:
• Use cold water in the bath-
room, kitchen and laundry
room whenever possible to
save energy.
• Don’t let taps run unnecessar-
ily.
• Buy dishwashers, washing
machines, and other appli-
ances that use less water than
other comparable models.
• Install flow regulators or aer-
ating devices on taps. These
are inexpensive and can reduce water flow by 50 percent.
• The production of bottled water is resource intensive. It costs
more to process, transport and recycle than tap water. Moreover,
less that 15 percent of the bottles get recycled (US figure),
which means those bottles end up in the dump or as litter.
Simple solution: drink tap water. Consider filtering it at home if
you are concerned about its quality.
Fix leaks and drips:
• Dripping faucets and leaking toilets account for as much as 14
percent of all indoor water use, equivalent to 38 litres per per-
son of water loss per day.
• Check for leaks by shutting off all water-using appliances and
faucets, reading your water meter, and waiting half an hour. If
the dial has moved, you have a leak.
• The most common source of leaks is the toilet. Check toilets for
leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If after
fifteen minutes the dye shows up in the bowl, the toilet has a
leak. Leaky toilets can usually be repaired inexpensively by
replacing the flapper.
• Leaks in your sink and bathtub faucets can often be repaired by
replacing the rubber O-ring or washer inside the valve.
In the bathroom:
• Install a water-saving showerhead. It can save almost half the
water (and energy used to heat the water) for each shower. Look
for a showerhead that uses 9.5 litres per minute or better.
“WE OURSELVES FEEL
THAT WHAT WE ARE
DOING IS JUST A DROP IN THE
OCEAN. BUT THE OCEAN WOULD
BE LESS BECAUSE OF THAT MISS-
ING DROP.”
- MOTHER THERESA
serve the quantity of our water, but
its quality lies in how much we pol-
lute. Consult our other sections to
find out how the food we eat pollutes
our water with chemical fertilizers
and synthetic pesticides. Find out
which home cleaning products are
safe. Don’t just pour those chemicals
down the drain. Learn how to dis-
pose of them properly.
We're greening the 'net at www.campusgreenguide.ca

47
• Take a shower, not a
bath, and keep it as short
as possible.
• Don’t run the water while you shave or
brush your teeth. Use a cup or bowl.
• Invest in an ulta-low-flush (ULF) or dual-flush toilet. Toilets
older than around 15 years use around 18 litres per flush where
new toilets and ULFs can use between three and six litres per
flush.
• Toilet flush regulators are contraptions you can add to a regular
toilet to convert it into a dual-flush system.
• Improvise. Try putting a plastic bottle filled with pebbles or
water inside the toilet tank. The volume that this takes up
reduces your water use each time
you flush.
• Consider a composting toilet.
They use no water and produce
humus for your garden.
• If you’re feeling radical try this
motto: “If it’s yellow let it mel-
low; if it’s brown, flush it down.”
In the laundry:
• Wash only full loads.
• Use the machine according to specifications. Maintain your
machine by have it serviced periodically and by cleaning the fil-
ter.
• When considering a new washing machine, get a front-loader,
not a top-loader. You will save almost twice as much water,
energy and detergent which can amount to thousands of dollars
over its lifetime (about $955 in energy costs, and $200 in deter-
gent costs per year).
In the kitchen
• Washing dishes by hand usually saves water if you fill up two
sinks (one for washing, and one for rinsing), and is generally
more energy and water efficient than a dishwasher, depending
on the model. Use a basin if you have only one sink.
8% OF NOVA SCOTIA’S DRINK-
ING WATER IS TAKEN FROM
GROUNDWATER SOURCES.4

48
• Don’t defrost with hot water. Think ahead and leave food to
thaw overnight in the refridgerator or sink.
• Wash veggies and fruit in a bowl or basin and use the water for
houseplants.
Safe down the drain:
• Eliminate detergents that contain phosphates.
• Do not dispose of garbage and compost in the toilet. Our munic-
ipal sewage system is not designed to break these things down.
• Don’t flush feminine hygiene products. Put them in the garbage.
• Sink strainers are available for all drain sizes and are cheap and
practical.
• Unclog the drain with a
plunger, a “snake,” or put
1/4 cup of baking soda
down the drain, then add
1/2 cup of vinegar, cover
with a rag, wait up to 30
minutes and wash down
with boiling water.
• Put fats, oils and milk products in a disposable container instead
of flushing them down the drain. This lightens the load on waste
water treatment facilitiesand saves energy, too.
Why is smoking an environmental issue?
• Other than the huge amount of resources it takes to grow, pre-
pare, package, and transport tobacco products, there are pollu-
tion issues as well. Cigarette butts are made of plastics, leftover
paper, tar and toxic nicotine. It takes about five years for a butt
to biodegrade. In Halifax, most small pieces of litter eventually
get washed into sewers that go straight into the harbour.
WWHHEERREE
• The HRM is interested in reducing pollution and has a website
with tips on how to reduce pollution at:
www.halifax.ca/pollutionprevention
• Peggy’s Cove. Forget the lighthouse; visit the composting toi-
lets. The Government Washroom, operated by Tourism Nova
Scotia is the first totally recycling public washroom in Canada!
www.cityfarmer.org/comptoilet64.html
• Tips from Environment Canada for reducing domestic water
use: http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/manage/effic/e_retro.htm
• Humanure is a way to compost your wastes. The Humanure
Handbook by Joseph Jenkins is a useful handbook that can be pur-
chased or read entirely online. Check out:
www.weblife.org/humanure/default.html or www.joseph-jenkins.com
HALIFAX HARBOUR IS POL-
LUTED BY OVER
181,000,000 LITRES PER DAY OF
BOTH UNTREATED SANITARY AND
STORM WASTEWATERS.5

49
WWHHYY
Paper is not just another
thing in our lives. It’s a medium
to help us study, record, share,
wrap and clean.
Most paper is made from
trees, which are the lungs of the
Earth and are an integral part of
many ecosystems. Forests act as
a carbon sink—reducing atmos-
pheric CO2 levels—thus reduc-
ing the effects of
global warming.
Paper production accounts
for about one-fifth of the wood
harvest worldwide.1
Therefore,
if we care about preserving the
environment, we must reduce
the amount of paper we use.
In general, our universities
rely on an unsustainable system
of paper use. Short-term aca-
demic needs take priority over
the long-term well-being of
wilderness spaces. Reducing
paper can be done on an individ-
ual and institutional basis.
Using less paper improves air
quality, slows climate change,
and maintains the ecosystems
that sustain life.
The process of turning trees
into paper consumes huge
amounts of chemicals, energy
and water. “The worldwide pulp
and paper industry is the fifth
largest industrial consumer of
energy and uses more water to
produce one tonne of product
than any other industry.” So cut-
ting back on paper is a great
way to save natural resources.
Non-tree papers are avail-
able. In fact, it is only within the
last century that paper has been
made from trees. Papyrus, cot-
ton, and hemp were the original
sources for paper fibre.
Returns to fast-grow-
ing crops
like hemp rep-
resent an emerg-
ing portion of the
paper industry.
PAPER & FORESTS
This section relates to Water, Transportation, and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

50
Hemp yields more pulp per acre than
forest or tree farms.
The state of our local Acadian
Forest is very grim. Most of the land
in Nova Scotia is privately owned
and vast sections are logged by large
US paper companies. Much of Nova
Scotia’s crown land is also licensed
to these companies to be cut, with
little set aside for watercourse pro-
tection and wildlife. Also, Nova
Scotia forest, when harvested, is
almost always clearcut. Because
forests, governments and environ-
mental organization are so dynamic,
so are their figures on clearcutting,
total area harvested, and their effect
on wildlife. Check the statistics out
for yourself in the links below.
HHOOWW
Part of our paper predicament is systemic, namely, one-sided
copiers and printers, inadequate instruction in their proper use, and
the higher prices for recycled paper. The other facet is individual.
Let us re-evaluate how we use paper:
• Use tree-free or 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled
paper products wherever possible.
• Read newspapers in the library, at coffee shops or online.
• Insist that your university gets double-sided printers and copiers
and installs instructions for their proper use.
• Classes can be structured with online readers, articles and
WebCT., reducing excessive handouts, readers and textbooks.
• Double side all research papers and assignments.
• Print documents on used paper yourself, or at accommodating
copy shops; always ask for assistance before manually printing
or copying a second time on used paper to minimize damage to
the copier or printer.
• Instead of buying notebooks and blank paper, find useable paper
in recycle bins and staple yourself your own one-side-good pads
for notes.
Junk Mail
An estimated 13 billion pieces of junk mail are delivered to
Canadians each year. Solutions:
• Put a “No Junk Mail” sticker from the EAC on your mailbox.
• Recycle junk mail.
• If junk mail comes with a return envelope, just put it all in and
send it back labelled “Return to Sender”.
• Get your name removed from marketing lists online at:
https://cornerstonewebmedia.com/cma/submit.asp
USING RECYCLED CONTENT
RATHER THAN VIRGIN FIBRES
CREATES 74 % LESS AIR POLLUTION
AND 35 % LESS WATER POLLUTION.2
The Campus Green Guide is also
online: www.campusgreenguide.ca

51
• Or remove your name from registererd direct marketing by
sending a letter with your name, address, and phone number to:
Do Not Mail Service
c/o Canadian Direct
Marketing Association
1 Concord Gate, Suite 607
Don Mills, Ontario
M3C 3N6
TISSUE PAPER AND NAPKINS
• Use Seventh Generation or Cascade products for toilet paper,
paper towels, facial tissue, and feminine napkins. Or find other
companies that don’t use bleach and make their products from
100 percent post-consumer waste.
• See the Food section for a list of supermarkets where you can
buy these products.
• Use cloths, rags and handker-
chiefs whenever possible instead
of tissues. They can be washed
and reused.
• As for toilet paper, use only
what’s required and not more.
SPEAK UP!
• Paper use is one of those environmental issues that can be
changed with gentle pressure. Concordia University’s Recto-
Verso Campaign has been successful in collecting campus paper
information, spreading awareness on waste and more efficient
use of paper. They have made
recommendations to the adminis-
tration and the student union
about purchasing products with
higher recycled content. This pro-
gramme is for all university-relat-
ed documents such as mail, read-
ers, student handbooks and agen-
das.
• Write the Premier of Nova Scotia, premier@gov.ns.ca, and the
Minister of Natural Resources, min_dnr@gov.ns.ca, to share
your views on our dwindling Acadian Forests.
• Ask local paper and wood supply stores to carry Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) products.
WHAT TO BUY
• Try to purchase locally-grown products that will keep your
money in the community. Buying FSC certified wood products
ensure the highest level of proper forest management.
IN CANADA, WE CUT AN AREA OF
FOREST EQUAL TO VANCOUVER
ISLAND EVERY FOUR YEARS.3
“ACIVILIZATION FLOURISHES
WHEN PEOPLE PLANT TREES
UNDER WHICH THEY WILL NEVER SIT.”
- GREEK PROVERB

• Back Pages
1526 Queen Street
902-423-2750
• Book Worm
www.book-worm.ca
716 Old Sackville Road
902-252-9697
• Books ‘R Us
6050 Almon Street
902-455-7832
• Cavalier Book Shop
6243 Almon Street
902-453-4995
• Dust Jacket Books
902-492-0666
• John W. Doull Bookseller
www.doullbooks.com
902-429-1652
• Last Word Bookstore
2160 Windsor Street
902-423-2932
• Schooner Books
www.schoonerbooks.com
5378 Inglis Street
902-423-8419
• United Book Exchange
902-423-6980
USED BOOK STORES AROUND HALIFAX
52
WHERE
Concepts worth considering:
• Get “good-one-side” paper in bins near photocopiers and printers in
libraries and offices. Free paper bins are everywhere; just keep your
eyes open and dig for the good stuff.
• Dalhousie students interested in printing on “good-one-side” can go to
the basement of the Killam Library and ask for manual assistance, or at
Campus Copy in the basement of the Student Union Building.
• Greenpeace has organized a successful awareness campaign on person-
al tissue paper use, including toilet paper. They promote 100 percent
recycled paper tissue products to save trees. According to their website,
Canadians use 45 pounds per person per year of Canadian forest simply
for tissue. www.greenpeace.ca/tissue
• Buy Domtar’s Sandpiper, 100 percent post-consumer waste paper at
P’lovers. They are located in Park Lane Mall on Spring Garden Road;
www.plovers.net
• The Forest Stewardship Council is an international network with local
ties that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. They
bring people together to find solutions to the problems created by bad
forestry practices and to reward good forest management. The FSC only
certifies the best paper and forestry management procedures. More infor-
mation at both www.fsc.org and www.fsccanada.org/Maritimes.htm.
Used Text Books Online:
• Dal/King’s Students can buy and sell second hand books online.
http://tigerbooks.ca
• SMU students, go to www.smusa.ca/books.asp
• Also check out http://books4exchange.com
Local Forest:
• Act now to preserve Nova Scotia’s dwindling forests. The EAC has two

53
websites in its forest campaign to encourage action on our forests. Visit
www.clearcutnovascotia.ca to learn about the damage, and www.novas-
cotiaforests.ca to learn about what is being done, how you can help and
to sign up for Forest Alert! e-mails.
• The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (NS Chapter) aims to
protect the biological diversity of public and private lands, and promote
preservation; www.cpawsns.org
• Read about the latest stats on the harvesting of Atlantic forests at Natural
Resources Canada’s Forest Service website; www.atl.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca
Tree Planting
• The EAC has a “Native Tree Spree Fundraiser” where you can purchase
trees endemic to Nova Scotia that require much less energy, water, fertil-
izer and pesticides. They also provide a home for local wildlife and can
improve local air quality. A properly planted tree can remove 60,000
pounds of air pollution, help you save on home energy costs and increase
property value. Contact the EAC for more information. 902-429-2202.
• Conservatree is an active (US) non-profit organization that has consid-
erable industry experience. It offers a consulting service, does research,
and lobbies companies to use 100 percent recy-
cled paper. Read more online at:
www.conservatree.org.
•Tree Canada is a non-profit
that encourages Canadians to
plant and care for trees. Donate
or buy trees online
www.treecanada.ca.
• Tree Givers and other
organizations plant
tress in your name;
online at
treegivers.com
COMPARED TO NON-RECYCLED PAPER,
ONE TONNE OF 100 PERCENT RECYCLED PAPER:
… saves 29,000 litres of water,
… keeps more than 30 kg of pollution out of the air,
… saves 2.8 m3 of landfill space,
… saves approximately 18 average-sized trees,
… and saves 4,520 kWh of energy; enough to power
an average home for six months.5

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