CALGARY, ALBERTA (March 3, 2014) – Two post-secondary student teams have been named 2014 Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge Regional Champions by this country’s largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, and proud program supporter, Scotiabank.
The Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge empowers post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that teach viable solutions to relevant environmental issues. Since 2010, 2,372 students have helped conserve 23,883,374 litres of water, diverted 2,047,578 pounds of waste and introduced 596 businesses to green business practices.
The following Enactus student teams from Okanagan College and Simon Fraser University stood out to the judges at the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition – Western Canada on February 28 because of their dedication to tackling local environmental issues: “We are proud to support this important educational initiative as part of our flagship environmental program, Scotiabank EcoLiving,” said Kaz Flinn, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Scotiabank. “Canadians are increasingly interested in reducing their impact on the environment and this challenge speaks to students’ eagerness to develop new and innovative ways to help them do just that. I would like to congratulate this year’s competitors for their efforts and their imaginative projects.”
Enactus Okanagan College is facilitating a buy local program called Farm Bag, which reduced 4.3 metric tonnes of CO2 this year through the establishment of 26 local sales and distribution centres, resulting in over 47,500lbs of produce from Okanagan staying local.
The Enactus team at Simon Fraser University prevented 29,632 pounds of C02 emissions through Banner Bags, an environmental education program that reused 537 promotional banners and scrap fabric to produce clothing and 1000 reusable tote bags.
“These teams are making a real impact on the long term sustainability of their communities through their environmental education projects,” says Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. “They are a perfect example of how our high impact, values-driven Enactus student leaders are building a greener Canada.”
These teams will now move on to the national level of competition taking place April 28-30 at the 2014 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Calgary, Alberta.
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Media Inquiries:
Jody Lundrigan
Director of Communications
Enactus Canada
E: jody@enactus.ca
P: 416.304.1566 ext.222
M: 416.346.0131