Laurier’s Sustainable Hawk Fund named a Canada’s Clean50 Top Project for 2022

Nov. 17, 2021
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Wilfrid Laurier University’s Sustainable Hawk Fund has been named a 2022 Canada’s Clean50 Top Project from the Delta Management Group and the Canada's Clean50 organization, in recognition of the initiative’s measurable impacts, innovation and ability to inspire others.

The Sustainable Hawk Fund was one of 24 sustainability-oriented projects to receive awards at the Clean50 Summit 11.0, which was held in Toronto on Oct. 1. Sustainability leaders and emerging leaders were also recognized at the summit.

“The Sustainable Hawk Fund program provides the opportunity to build and maintain a culture of sustainability on Laurier campuses,” said Eric Meliton, manager of Laurier’s Sustainability Office. “The projects initiated through the Sustainable Hawk Fund program establish long-lasting relationships between faculties, local community groups, departmental staff and student groups with a collective dedication to sustainability. Overall, the investment pays out on campus and by establishing a positive influence with all who participate in the program.”

The Sustainable Hawk Fund provides up to $30,000 annually to support projects run by Laurier-affiliated groups or individuals that solve a sustainability challenge and benefit the community. Laurier’s Sustainability Office promotes the fund to students, faculty and staff and to the wider Laurier community and project pitches are reviewed and selected by the Sustainable Campus Committee.

Since 2015, the program has approved $117,000 in funding for 38 projects, with 27 projects already completed. The Sustainable Hawk Fund has supported, among other projects:

• EarthSuds, which was founded in 2017 by alumni Marissa Vettoretti and Daniel Moll to replace plastic toiletry bottles in hotels with single-use shampoo, body wash and conditioner tablets. The company has since sold hundreds of thousands of products to customers around the world.
• Sustainability Through an Inclusive Lens, founded by alumna Hillary Scanlon, which makes waste, recycling and compost receptacles accessible for people with vision loss through rubber floor signs.
• Last20, founded by business administration students Lauren and Lucas Barnes, which seeks innovative and sustainable ways to upcycle plastic waste, has developed a way to replace some of the bitumen, used as a binding agent in pavement, with waste plastic bags.
• The Climate is Life mural, painted by local artist Pamela Rojas, on the Waterloo campus.

“Delta’s criteria in determining project awards is to carefully consider a combination of actual measurable impact, demonstrated innovation and the project’s ability to inspire others to imitate it – and Wilfrid Laurier University’s Sustainable Hawk Fund is a terrific example,” said Gavin Pitchford, chief executive officer of Delta Management. 

About Wilfrid Laurier University

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to academic excellence. Laurier’s holistic approach to learning integrates innovative programming with hands-on experience outside the classroom to ensure Laurier graduates are not only ready for the future but​ are inspired to leave their mark on the world. Community is at the heart of all we do. Laurier inspires students to engage in campus life and the broader community, leading to high levels of student satisfaction and engaged alumni who carry the Laurier legacy throughout the world. As a community of researchers, leaders and educators, Laurier builds knowledge that serves society and creates connections that have a lasting impact. 

Learn more about Laurier’s 20,000+ students in nine faculties and federated university college throughout Waterloo, Brantford, Milton, Kitchener and Toronto at wlu.ca.                    

About Delta Management Group / Canada’s Clean50:

Leading ESG, sustainability and clean tech search firm Delta Management Group founded, and remains the steward of the Canada’s Clean50 awards, created in 2011 to annually identify, recognize and connect 50 sustainability leaders from every sector of Canadian endeavor, in order to facilitate understanding, collaboration and innovation in the fight to keep climate change impacts below 1.5 degrees C. Ancillary awards also recognize 20 Emerging Leaders and the Top Sustainability Projects of the year, as well as bestow Lifetime Achievement designations.