How can you be more sustainable? Student group’s tips for green living in York University Heights
THE GREEN LINE
ORIGINAL STORY
How can you be more sustainable? Student group's tips for green living in York University Heights
The Green Line team visited Regenesis, a student-run environmental nonprofit at York University, to learn how it helps build an eco-conscious mindset.
Emilia Kolodko, 22, co-program coordinator at Regenesis York Chapter, stands by a wall of free clothes and accessories at the Free Store inside York University.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.
Amanda Seraphina James Rajakumar
Indian immigrant with a post-grad in journalism from Centennial College. Now living in Grange Park, meeting new people, and hearing different stories. Has four names, so it’s a pick-your-player situation.
Feb. 7, 2025
Through all the exams and stress, it can be hard to remember everything that’s taught in college or university — but some lessons learned stay with you throughout your life.
That’s why one group at York University is encouraging sustainable behaviour at postsecondary schools by fostering an eco-conscious mindset among students.
Nonprofit Regenesis is empowering students to make environmental change. From selling fresh produce at affordable prices to offering free donated clothes, these student-run initiatives are open to all students, staff and locals on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Shirin Chugh, a second-year student at York University, started volunteering at YUM Market after first becoming “obsessed” as a customer. She describes the market, which takes place every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on York University’s Keele campus, as both “progressive” and wallet-friendly.
At YUM Market, fresh fruit and vegetables produced by farmers across Toronto and Ontario are available at wholesale prices.
Shirin Chugh, a second-year student at York University, stands by YUM market, a fresh-produce market run by Regenesis at York University.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.
“I would say it's so much [more] affordable than Walmart and so much [more] accessible,” Chugh, 20, explains. “I just have to walk on campus during my class and just grab my veggies and I'm good for the week.”
“So, it has actually changed me a bit in some ways; it has made me more aware about sustainability."
In 2024, there were more than 80 volunteers, like Chugh, across all Regenesis campuses.
Regenesis’ Free Store at York University offers free clothes and accessories to students, staff and locals on a first-come, first-serve basis.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.
Regenesis’s initiatives tackle these different facets of sustainability:
- Building a circular economy through its borrowing centre, which offers tools, sporting equipment, video gear and more to curb consumerist behaviour, as well as through its Free Store, which offers donated clothes and accessories at no cost.
- Advancing food justice through YUM Market, which sells locally sourced produce at wholesale prices.
- Encouraging sustainable transportation through the Cycle York Community Bike Centre, a hub that repairs and sells budget-friendly bikes. The centre also offers a five-week program that teaches participants to repair a bike that they get to take home for free.
- Habitat restoration through summertime programs that host tree plantings and clean-ups organized by students.
Emilia Kolodko, co-program coordinator at Regenesis York Chapter says that unlike big-box retailers, Regenesis has a community-centric approach. When people walk into its stores, staff have conversations about what they want or would like to see, which helps them curate items according to the community’s needs.
"We can actually talk to people and implement those changes, which is something that the stores that care about profit don't have time to do,” Kolodko explains.
Regenesis’ Cycle York Community Bike Centre at York University is a bike hub that repairs and sells low-cost bikes.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.
Regenesis first launched in 2009 as a student environment club at York University’s Keele campus and the University of Toronto’s St. George campus.
Today, its network includes five universities across Toronto, plus one in Mississauga. Regenesis is currently expanding across Ontario and recently, B.C. Each chapter is run by students who come up with programs that fit their university's needs.
“Higher education, universities and colleges really play a role in addressing some of our global challenges,” says Nicole Arsenault, program director for sustainability at York. “Defining ways of doing things on campus within our local communities is really powerful.”
Students shop for fresh produce at YUM Market where Shirin Chugh, a second-year student at York University, volunteers.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.
Arsenault adds that community-led, student-engagement initiatives like Regenesis help empower students to become agents of change. Kolodko, for example, began as a Regenesis volunteer when they were studying at York. Today, they help run programs.
“There can be so much more Regenesis everywhere. We can care about the environment and care about equity,” they say.
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