Student Teams Honoured for Tackling Environmental Issues in the 2016 Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge
Saint Mary's University and Memorial University of Newfoundland Will Move On to the National Competition in Toronto
HALIFAX, NS, February 29, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Two post-secondary student teams have been named 2016 Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge Regional Champions by Enactus Canada, the country's largest student leadership development organization 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 the program began in 2010, 5,116 students have helped conserve over 4,000,000 litres of water, diverted over 2,000,000 pounds of waste and introduced 1,254 businesses to green business practices.
"Congratulations to Saint Mary's University and Memorial University of Newfoundland and all of the teams for their incredible work on the Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge. The talent and drive of these students continues to inspire us," said Gordon Brost, District Vice President, South West Nova Scotia District, Scotiabank. "Scotiabank is proud to support the challenge as part of our commitment to environmental awareness and supporting a greener future, which we do through our Scotiabank EcoLiving program. I want to wish the regional winners the best of luck in the national competition in Toronto."
The following Enactus student teams from Saint Mary's University and Memorial University of Newfoundland stood out to the judges at the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition - Atlantic Canada on February 26 because of their dedication to tackling local environmental issues:
Enactus Saint Mary's University created a cooperative business upcycling used furniture, which diverts waste from landfills while providing those in need with basic household items. This year alone, Project Reach diverted 2,370 lbs of waste from landfills and reduced CO2 emissions by 43.04 tonnes through waste diversion.
Enactus Memorial created a hydroponic system to address the overwhelming need for fresh affordable produce in Newfoundland and Labrador. Through Project Sucseed, Enactus Memorial impacted 134 people by implementing five hydroponic systems in Rigolet, Labrador, and there are 100 additional systems currently in production.
"These teams are making a real impact on the long-term sustainability of their communities through their environmental education projects," said Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. "They are a perfect example of how Enactus' socially-conscious student leaders are building a greener Canada."
These teams will now move on to the national level of competition taking place May 2-4 at the 2015 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto, Ontario.
ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, this country's largest student leadership development organization, is shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,650 entrepreneurial post-secondary students led 288 community empowerment projects and business ventures this past year in communities coast-to-coast. As a global network of 36 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
About Scotiabank
Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities around the world.
Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. Follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.
About Scotiabank EcoLiving
Scotiabank EcoLiving, which launched in 2010, is a unique program focused on educating Canadians on the shared benefits of home energy efficiency and green home improvements. With its emphasis on demonstrating how people can save money by saving energy, and at the same time reduce their impact on climate change, Scotiabank's EcoLiving program communicates the advantages of energy efficiency and sustainable practices. To learn more, visit ecoliving.scotiabank.com.
Jody Lundrigan
Director of Communications
Enactus Canada
E: jody@enactus.ca
M: 416.346.0131
Diana Hart
Public, Corporate and Government Affairs
Scotiabank
E: diana.hart@scotiabank.com
P: 416.866.7238
