CALGARY (March 11, 2013) – University of Calgary and Okanagan College Enactus teams have been named 2013 Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge Regional Champions by national charitable 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, 1,857 students have helped conserve 3,866,643 litres of water, diverted 1,928,733 pounds of waste and introduced 354 businesses to green business practices.
“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.”
The following Enactus student teams from University of Calgary and Okanagan College stood out to the judges at the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition – Western Canada on March 8th because of their dedication to tackling local environmental issues:
Calgary University partnered with Alberta Clean Technologies Ltd to create Eco Dine, which provides restaurants with strategic initiatives to green their business and offers a five level certification program. Thus far, the projects has generated $2.6 million in economy activity, diverted 1.9 million kilograms of waste, introduced 618 organizations to green culture and impacted 9,908 lives.
Okanagan College is helping future generations of Albertans make an environmental impact through a global enterprise called Instill Life. This project engages youth in the Okanagan through a microlending initiative that empowers agricultural entrepreneurs in developing countries. To date, 270 elementary students have impacted 141 entrepreneurs in 36 developing countries.
“These teams are making a real impact on the long term sustainability of communities through their environmental education projects,” says Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. “These are perfect examples of how our Enactus teams are transforming lives through innovative green initiatives.”
These teams will now move on to the national level of competition taking place May 6-8th at the 2013 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto, Ontario.
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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada is a community of student, academic and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,300 student leaders create and implement over 350 community empowerment projects and business ventures every year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 39 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
Media Inquiries: Jody Lundrigan Director of Communications Enactus Canada E: jody@enactus.ca P: 416.304.1566 x 222 M: 416.346.0131