Sustainability at Notre Dame Convent in Waterdown!

BECOMING “PROTECTORS OF CREATION”
BY SISTER VIRGINIA
STASIUM

The Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home was released by Pope Francis on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2015.  Joining the immediate global response of affirmation and enthusiasm from peoples of all faiths and walks of life, the Sisters of Notre Dame Convent, in November 2015, gifted with the leadership of S. Rose Mary Sander, began to pray and reflect together twice a month on themes or sections of Laudato Si’.  This led to the question:  What can we do to respond? . . . daily and personally, as individuals and as a community?  The Sisters offered recommendations.  With complete cooperation of the administration and coordinators of departments, NDC initiated several ways to live into our deepened awareness.

The Sisters and staff are committed to working together for the care of creation and a sustainable environment for all.  As we become more aware, we become more concerned, more committed.  

Pope Francis has drawn our attention to the urgent need to undergo “an ‘ecological conversion,’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience” (#217, Laudato Si’).

  • A power point in-service was presented to the NDC staff so that they could understand the initiatives which resulted from the Sisters’ prayerful study of Laudato Si’.  In addition, monthly bulletin boards introduced and displayed these topics, as well as aspects of the AM Province commitments: W.I.T.H.
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  • Without causing any noticeable limitation, Maintenance staff removed 145 light bulbs from lights to lessen energy drain.  Ballasts in non-florescent lights in hallways were removed, and as bulbs needed replacement, LED bulbs were used.  LED bulbs have been installed in the Chapel and bedrooms.  Florescent bulbs are replaced with eco-friendly, energy-saving fluorescent tubes.  As the market produces a greater variety of LED lights, bulbs in smaller lamps are being replaced by them.
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  • Other changes provided by Maintenance are: purchasing eco-friendly trash bags; replacing worn copper pipes with longer lasting plastic pipes which resist the corrosion caused by the hard water of our area; using plastic toilet fill valves which adjust the water fill rate and amount, and purchasing energy efficient small machines, e.g. vacuum cleaners.
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  • Sisters and staff are all responsible for recycling.  Sensitivity toward recycling and reducing waste is undoubtedly the area of our greatest growth.  Paper and plastic have been eliminated, except for emergencies, such as power outages.  The Activities/PDIC Department purchased basic white (to match any décor) dinner & salad plates, bowls and cutlery for events . . . even beer glasses for Octoberfest and St. Patrick’s Day! Any plastic that might be used is biodegradable. Colored napkins that are used are compostable.
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  • In the recent past, Halton Area began collecting Green Carts (compostable materials) from residences.  A member of the Activities/PDIC Staff contacted Halton Regional Services to inquire as to whether NDC qualified for Green Cart collection.  A Halton representative visited, toured and approved NDC for Green Cart pick-up. The Halton representative returned and gave separate in-service presentations to both the Sisters and the Staff, reviewed blue (recyclables) and green cart acceptable and non-acceptable items answered any questions and informed us how to receive information for future questions.  With food items and paper products being compostable, this has reduced garbage/trash close to 50%.
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  • The use of Blue and Green bins is just the beginning.  After the Maintenance Department collects all trash and recyclables from all areas (twice a week), the various recycling materials are subdivided into 14 categories - all bagged separately, except for corrugated cardboard which is cut and tied in bundles.
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  • Maintenance and Housekeeping work together to order and utilize only green chemicals for cleaning.  Detergent and rinse for the dishwasher are eco-friendly, as is the detergent for Laundry.
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  • All washing machines are water and energy efficient.  Also, the Housekeeping Department uses a microfiber mopping system which reduces the amount of water and chemicals, while being more sanitary due to limits of single-use per room.  In the main Laundry, the commercial dryers are run on gas to conserve energy.  Housekeeping creatively uses worn cloth items by re-purposing them.  Cloth items have a long life and very long journey to the landfill.
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  • A water bottle filling station recently has been installed in an attempt to assist with our commitment to become a Blue Community and eliminate plastic water bottles.  On 13 September 2018 NDC celebrated Staff Appreciation Day.  During the celebration, every staff member received a metal water bottle with a logo which expresses our working together in oneness of mind and heart.
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  • At the Sisters’ request, the Dietary Staff has made some significant changes:  Fair Trade coffee was introduced three years ago.  In order to reduce the carbon footprint, fish is served twice a week at the main meal.  Friday is a totally meatless day.  When it is possible, food grown or produced locally is purchased.  The amount of food preparation has been reduced to avoid waste; leftovers are repurposed.
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  • The HealthCare Department has its own recycling process for Drug disposal (and sharps – e.g. needles/syringes/lancets/suture scissors).  All of this is done through a company that supplies bins which are taken off-site for proper disposal.  No meds are ever discarded via sinks or toilets.  They are disposed of by ‘Stericycle.’  If Infection Control procedures need to be put in place, paper plates and cups must be used; all gowns/gloves etc. are considered infected and are double bagged for disposal.  HealthCare is researching a better method of disposal.  
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  • Since hydration is sometimes forgotten, especially among the elderly, Hydration Stations are located at the Centre Lounges on 3rd and 4th floors.
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  • The Technology coordinator works with other staff members and volunteers for electronic recycling.  Recycled electronic items are used for parts, are re-built, or are used for metal scrap by charitable organizations or non-profit fundraising.  It is a priority of the Technology coordinator not to overstock supplies so that products are not outdated before they are used.   
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  • Items of all kinds that are re-usable are donated to charitable organizations, such as The Good Shepherd Ministries, the Salvation Army, Drummond House (a transitional home for women and children), and special requests from Dr. Simone (founder of CFFC, Canadian Food For Children), e.g. shoes for men, women and children in the Third World to protect them from infection and wounds.  The Staff joins the Sisters in responding to these organizations.

The Sisters and staff are committed to working together for the care of creation and a sustainable environment for all.  As we become more aware, we become more concerned, more committed.

Pope Francis has drawn our attention to the urgent need to undergo “an ‘ecological conversion,’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience” (#217, Laudato Si’).
 

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