Solar Photovoltaic Energy

At is opening in 2017, the Arnold Massey '55 Athletic Centre became home to TCS’s first renewable energy project: a 48kW AC solar array comprised of 192 photovoltaic panels. This array was capable of generating 2% of our annual campus electricity needs and lowering our carbon footprint by 11.5 tonnes C02e. This was the equivalent of taking two cars off the road or planting two acres of trees. The solar panel project has continued to expand and is currently 166kW, producing as much as 12% of campus energy.

Living Wall

This Visual Arts Wing was designed with sustainability in mind. The building envelope is insulated well beyond minimum code requirements. There are substantial windows to allow for natural lighting and occupancy sensors to reduce electricity consumption. Most interestingly, there is a living wall including a rain water harvester for watering the plants and a storage system to provide other grey water usage.

Local Food

The TCS kitchen is a leader in environmentally sustainable practices. Depending on the time of year, between 45% to 55% of the food consumed in Osler Hall comes directly from local farms. This includes nearly 100% of the meat, cheese and honey.

Even closer, the kitchen is a proud supporter of the student gardening programs in both the Junior and Senior Schools. Tomatoes, onions, apples, carrots, corn, potatoes, squash, melons, pumpkins and herbs are started from seed by students and grown through to harvest right here on campus before being delivered up to the kitchen. These practices support the local community, allow the TCS community to eat healthier food and reduce the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions related to putting food on our tables.

Efforts are made to minimize both pre-consumer and post-consumer food waste, and what is produced is composted.

Waste Management

TCS consistently works to decrease our waste footprint and increase the diversion of products away from landfills. We are currently diverting approximately 50% of our waste through the local recycling program, organics collection through a private company and other specialized recycling programs for metal, e-waste, etc. Students and staff are coached on how to sort their waste correctly throughout an annual “Bin it Better” Challenge and by providing recycle coaches at waste stations at large events.

Tree Replacement Policy

TCS is blessed with over 100 acres of beautiful campus and hundreds of mature trees. To value this natural heritage and do our part for climate change, we have a tree replacement matrix that ensures that any tree lost on campus is replaced at more than a 1:1 ratio based on its age. For example, a tree of over 50 years old will be replaced with five suitable native trees. Tree-planting occurs every fall with students planting hundreds of trees over the last several years at annual Big Tree Plant event.

Pollinator Paradise

In order to restore a landfill area on the south part of campus, Grade 7 students researched, planned and created a meadow ecosystem using native wildflower and grass seeds. This area will provide habitat for pollinators while ensuring a non-forest ecosystem is allowed to flourish under the hydro lines.

TCS Apiary

Half a dozen honey bee hives are stewarded on a small plot of lawn adjacent to the health centre and the Pollinator Paradise. The Apiary Club tends the hives, collecting honey each fall which is then enjoyed in Osler Hall and given as gifts to visitors to the School.

Endangered Species

The TCS campus is host to a small population of Chimney Swifts, a tiny boomerang-shaped bird, which roosts in several of our chimneys during summer months and forages on insects over the buildings. To ensure their protection, these chimneys are being carefully restored to remain open and accessible to the birds with specially designed canopy structures to keep out rain.

Idle Free Zones

TCS promotes shutting off engines while waiting on campus driveways. The Municipality of Port Hope has an “anti-idling” bylaw in effect with fines for idling over three minutes. Research shows that idling longer than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more C02 than shutting off the engine. It is a myth that it is bad for the engine to shut off and then start again.