Post-Secondary Students Across Canada Recognized Regionally for Climate Action Initiatives

(TORONTO, ON) March 15, 2022 – Square Roots Bundle service, started by students at Saint Mary’s University eliminates food waste by selling imperfect produce which would otherwise go to waste and using it to support those with limited access to produce through community champions.

Students at Enactus Lambton College created Project One Circle to address food security concerns in First Nations communities by implementing greenhouses, aquaponics facilities, and food forests!

Wilfrid Laurier University students have created 3 new projects that leverage the circular economy and aim to reduce the need for plastic in the daily routines of Canadians.

Enactus University of Ottawa students started Poly, which uses innovative small-scale plastic recycling systems to turn plastic waste into brand new products.

University of British Columbia - Vancouver students created Seeder to provide wholesome and nutritious meals to food-insecure students while preventing produce from going to waste.

Students from Okanagan College developed an innovative solution that prevents apple spoilage and helps feed their local community with Unusually Good Food Co.

Thanks to these initiatives, Enactus Saint Mary's University, Enactus Lambton College, Enactus Wilfrid Laurier University, Enactus University of Ottawa, Enactus University of British Columbia - Vancouver, and Enactus Okanagan College have been named 2022 Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge Regional Champions. The teams were chosen by Canada’s largest experiential learning platform, Enactus Canada, and program supporter Scotiabank.

“The creative solutions Enactus students developed and executed to tackle climate issues are truly inspiring,” said Nicole Almond, President of Enactus Canada. “They exhibit the forward-thinking business acumen our future leaders need to drive sustainable change.”

Enactus Saint Mary's University's Square Roots Bundle service has diverted over $135,000 in food waste from landfills. Project One Circle from Lambton College has diverted over 2.4 million litres of water. Wilfrid Laurier University's 3 new projects are revolutionizing the supply chain through the use of the circular economy. Poly, from Enactus University of Ottawa, has diverted 600 lbs. of CO2. Enactus University of British Columbia - Vancouver students have educated 115 individuals on climate action through Seeder. Unusually Good Food Co. from Enactus Okanagan College has diverted over $10,000 in apples and used them to help feed their community.

In addition to the above-mentioned Regional Champions, Enactus University of Alberta was named Pitch Competition Champion for their idea to turn glass waste into a sand-like material after competing in a national live pitch competition

“Congratulations to the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge Regional Champions and Pitch Competition Champions,” says Sandra Odendahl Vice President & Global Head, Sustainability at Scotiabank. “ “We are proud to support the Climate Action Challenge and congratulate all students and schools who entered with impressive submissions to help manage climate change.”

Enactus Saint Mary's University, Enactus Lambton College, Enactus Wilfrid Laurier University, Enactus University of Ottawa, Enactus University of British Columbia - Vancouver, and Enactus Okanagan College will now move on to the national level of competition taking place virtually in May 2022.

The Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge empowers post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that teach and empower others to tackle climate change and its impacts. Student teams from Western, Central and Atlantic Canada presented the impact of their climate projects through video-based presentations to panels of business executives serving as judges as part of the Enactus Canada Regional Competition. Since 2009, through this challenge, 12,489 Enactus students have helped conserve 641,860,671 litres of water, divert 251,008 tonnes of waste, and introduce 11,338 organizations to green business practices. The Scotiabank Climate Action Pitch Competition was launched last year in an effort to encourage the generation of new project ideas.

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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, a national charity and the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 3,000 post-secondary students led 232 community empowerment projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast, directly impacting over 21,000 lives.

As a global network of 35 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.

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