Clean & Green

Hamilton, known as the “Waterfall Capital of the World,” offers over 100 stunning waterfalls, 3,500 acres of parkland, and 49 kilometers of trails, providing ample opportunities for outdoor exploration. According to the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA), visitors to Hamilton’s greenspaces soared from  80,000 in 2012  to  1.7 million in 2024.  This surge, however, has led to increased waste, noise pollution, overcrowded parks, and damaged equipment, threatening the beauty and accessibility of these spaces.

As Hamilton's population grows, preserving greenspaces is crucial for future generations. Overcrowding can disrupt the tranquility of natural areas, while heavy foot traffic compacts soil, reducing its nutrient absorption and plant growth. Community members highlight parking shortages near greenspaces, deterring visitors. Additionally, the HCA notes increased maintenance costs due to more frequent clean-up operations and repairs.

Proper etiquette is vital for preserving the environment and ensuring a pleasant experience for all visitors. Trails help protect plant and animal species by directing foot traffic, yet many visitors create their own paths, damaging vegetation and disturbing wildlife habitats. Community members report frequent removal of native plants, which can promote invasive species and diminish the natural beauty for others.

Littering has also become a significant concern, affecting the visual appeal and health of the environment. Non-biodegradable materials can leach harmful components into the soil, and animals often mistake litter for food, leading to organ damage or death. Despite accessible garbage bins and signage, litter and plant removal persist. To protect Hamilton's natural spaces, a balance must be found between promoting visitation and preserving these fragile ecosystems. Improving park etiquette is essential to achieving this balance.

• Enhance signage and information boards in natural areas to reduce litter and prevent the removal of native plants.

• Design strategies to limit off-trail exploration and protect fragile ecosystems.

• Create durable, cost-effective infrastructure that suits park environments and encourages respectful visitor behaviour.

• Sasuke lives in a busy area with heavy traffic. On Sunday, he went to a conservation area to unwind but found the parking lot full. Demotivated, he went home instead.

• Billy works at a Hamilton greenspace. Excited to see the flowers he planted blooming, he arrived at work only to find someone had plucked them, leaving just petals on the ground.

• Angela walked 10 kilometers in a park and stopped to eat a snack. Feeling lazy, she left the empty bag on the ground instead of using the nearby trash can. Later, a squirrel mistook the bag for food and took it to her children.

 Appalachian Trail Conservancy 

 Leave No Trace 

 Hamilton Conservation Authority Annual Reports 

 The City of Hamilton Parks Master Plan 

 Parks & Trails in Hamilton 

In 2022, the City of Hamilton discovered a leak in a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) tank, which resulted in over 337 million liters of sewage flowing into Hamilton Harbour since 1996. Over the years, the accumulation of pollution, agriculture runoff, invasive species, and sewage waste from diverse sources has increased water contamination in the Harbour. As a result, Hamilton Harbour has been ranked as one of the most polluted bodies of water in the Great Lakes. This is a major concern for native aquatic species because the degraded water quality can lead to habitat loss, reduced oxygen levels, and ingestion of toxic material, all of which threaten their survival.

Hamilton Harbour houses various aquatic species, including the Spotted Gar, which is considered at risk, as well as several mussel species that are also at risk. While fish such as the redside dace, trout, walleye, and pike are present in the region, only the Spotted Gar and certain mussel species are recognized as endangered or at risk. These native species are threatened by invasive species such as goldfish and carp. Goldfish often wind up in the Harbour due to pet owners disposing of their unwanted fish. The polluted water of Hamilton Harbour is an ideal place for these species to thrive. While invasive species like goldfish can reproduce rapidly and outnumber native species, contributing to competition for resources, the decline in native fish populations is likely due to a combination of factors, including habitat loss, pollution, and other environmental pressures.

Plastic pollution from sources such as cigarette butts, small plastic pellets, laundry (synthetic clothing), plastic film and other litter has significantly contributed to the decline of aquatic species in the Harbour, though demonstrating a direct link between specific types of plastic and declines can be challenging. Cigarette butts, made of cellulose acetate, leach toxic particles into the water when not properly disposed of, directly impacting the health of aquatic species. The ingestion of small plastic pieces, or microplastics, can cause diseases, decrease food intake, and internally damage aquatic animals, leading to both sub-lethal effects on their health and behavior and, in some cases, death. Large pieces of plastic can entangle aquatic species, making them vulnerable to predators and reducing their ability to find food. Additionally, agricultural runoff containing pollutants such as pesticides and fertilizers leads to eutrophication in the harbour. This results in excessive algal growth and depleted oxygen levels, forcing fish to leave their native habitats in search of more suitable environments.

The contamination in the Harbour presents a significant problem. The native species that inhabit the Harbour are crucial for supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance through roles as predator and prey. Hamilton Harbour is a valuable resource for tourism, recreation, and transportation. Ensuring the harbour remains free from contamination is key to protecting public health, the environment, and the aquatic species that live there. Therefore, addressing contamination in Hamilton Harbour is necessary to secure a vibrant and healthier future for both the ecosystem and the community surrounding it.

• Develop methods to control harmful algal blooms resulting from eutrophication, while also considering the goal of increasing submerged aquatic vegetation where water clarity limits its growth. 

• Design technologies to filter or treat contaminants or reduce the use and/or release of contaminants before they reach the Harbour.

• Reduce plastic and microplastic production and inputs to the Harbour and explore purification techniques.

 A Greener Future: Nurdle Hunts 

 Chicago, USA: Green Alley Program 

 Copenhagen, Denmark: Cloudburst Management Plan 

 The City of Hamilton: Our Harbour 

 Hamilton Harbour: Area of Concern 

 Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan 

In an era where environmental stewardship is increasingly critical, universities like McMaster face the dual challenge and opportunity of leading by example in sustainability. While home-scale practices—such as using energy-efficient appliances, reducing water consumption, and harvesting rainwater—play a crucial role in reducing environmental impact, scaling these practices to a university setting introduces complexities. McMaster, already noted for its green initiatives, stands at a pivotal moment where it can transform these individual efforts into comprehensive, large-scale sustainability strategies. By focusing on enhancing practices such as composting, integrating rain gardens, and adopting energy-efficient technologies, the university can make a significant impact on its sustainability goals.

Permaculture, which involves designing systems to mimic natural ecosystems, offers valuable insights for achieving large-scale sustainability. Techniques like rainwater harvesting not only conserve water but also provide practical solutions for campus needs.  McMaster’s 2021 annual report highlights progress with rainwater collectors saving 648 cubic meters of water annually . The same report, however, reveals a discrepancy in water usage, with the fish research room alone consuming 40,000 cubic meters. This highlights the need for broader and more effective water conservation strategies across campus to address such imbalances and promote sustainability.

Waste management presents another significant challenge for McMaster University. Despite ongoing efforts, the university struggles with low recycling rates and inefficient waste management practices.  The 2022 Solid Non-Hazardous Waste Audit report indicates that only 53% of total waste is diverted from landfills , whereas  other institutions achieve rates up to 71% . With over 377 acres of campus but only 12 operational compost bins, there is a clear need to enhance waste management infrastructure. Increasing the availability of composting facilities for students and improving waste diversion practices are crucial steps towards reducing organic waste and advancing McMaster's sustainability objectives.

Energy consumption at McMaster University also represents a critical area for improvement.  In 2022, the university used over 295 million kWh of energy—equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 11,000 households in Ontario . Alarmingly,  only 21% of this energy came from renewable sources such as solar panels and geothermal energy . The remaining energy, derived from natural gas, contributes to the university’s carbon footprint and exacerbates climate change. To address this, McMaster must invest more in low carbon energy sources and implement measures to reduce overall consumption. Additionally, expanding green spaces, both on rooftops and within buildings, could enhance campus aesthetics and environmental benefits. By addressing these areas—water and waste management, energy consumption, and green space expansion—McMaster can lead the way in creating a net-zero campus and inspire future generations towards a more sustainable future.

• Find ways to incorporate sustainability techniques throughout university buildings and campus grounds. 
• Explore permaculture techniques such as rooftop gardens to be implemented on campus
• Assist in finding ways to ensure that students properly use the Garbage, Recycling, and Compost bins to minimize waste in the landfills
• Assist in developing strategies that align with McMaster’s waste management policies to ensure students effectively use garbage, recycling, and compost bins, minimizing landfill waste and addressing systemic material flow challenges.  

• Shelly, a McMaster residence student, had eggs for breakfast but, running late for class, tossed the eggshells in the garbage instead of composting them. 

• Miller, a McMaster student, finds peace in nature but has a packed schedule this semester, with classes from 8:30 am to 10 pm. As a result, he spends most of his time on his laptop with minimal interaction with nature.

 Stanford: Renewable Energy 

 University of British Columbia: Campus as a Living Lab 

 Arizona State University: Zero Waste 

 The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education 

 McMaster Sustainability Report 2022-2023 

 McMaster Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026 

The MacChangers program is inspired by Hamilton's  "Our Future Hamilton"  vision, a 25-year plan developed in collaboration with 55,000 community members. This guide introduces community-informed challenges aligned with this vision, emphasizing the importance of lived experiences. It serves to inspire and guide projects that address community needs, align with UN Sustainable Development Goals, and comply with City regulations.

If you have any questions about this guide or the MacChangers Program, feel free to reach out to changers@mcmaster.ca

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