Story and photo by Guntas Kaur, Sustainability Engagement & Communications Coordinator, Campus and Community Planning
About Ben
Ben Thomas is a fourth-year undergraduate student, completing his Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism. As he wraps up his final courses, he is also gaining hands-on experience through his role as a Work Learn student with C+CP.
Currently serving as the Zero Waste Coordinator, Ben contributes to sustainability initiatives on campus by developing strategies to reduce waste, improve recycling systems, and engage the campus community in environmental stewardship.
Outside of his academic and professional commitments, Ben is deeply passionate about creative expression. He finds joy in both music and the visual arts, drawing inspiration from the intersection of design, and nature.
Life as a Student and Work Learn Employee
Ben’s passion for sustainability took root early, sparked by his parents’ lessons in mindful consumption and recycling. “I grew up recycling and I learned from my parents how to consume mindfully and be mindful about purchasing as well, distinguishing what I want versus what I really need... So those values, I think, led to a passion that really started to manifest when I started working” he recalls. “I often found myself pushing for waste diversion despite resistance.”
In 2023, while looking for an “office experience,” Ben came across the Zero Waste Coordinator job posting. What caught his attention was the opportunity to create real-world impact while earning an income. “And I thought that was such a wonderful thing. In all the previous jobs that I worked, it was never about that. It was always about following procedure, doing the same thing over and over… This was like an ideal job.”
That initial interest soon grew into something more. “Over time, it became so much more than that,” Ben says. “The type of work kept me engaged, and my supervisor, Bud Fraser (Senior Planning & Sustainability Engineer with C+CP), is really nice, really friendly, and really encouraging. I was given a lot of freedom and autonomy in this role, which I think is quite unique. I don’t get the sense that many other positions have the same amount of trust. That was really nice and allowed me to work on things I was interested in and do the best I could to make change.”
“I grew up recycling and I learned from my parents how to consume mindfully and be mindful about purchasing as well, distinguishing what I want versus what I really need... So those values, I think, led to a passion that really started to manifest when I started working” he recalls. “I often found myself pushing for waste diversion despite resistance.”
Bringing Design Skills into Sustainability Work
Ben’s academic training has been a major asset in his work. “I’ve definitely learned things in my program that were very useful for this job,” he explains. “I use a lot of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, as well as GIS tools and mapping software. That was a huge benefit because I ended up making a lot of poster designs, presentations, and reports in this role.”
One significant project involved updating UBC’s solid waste infrastructure guidelines, a policy that shapes how new campus buildings plan for waste management. “It requires them to make certain provisions for waste infrastructure… So that gave me an opportunity to think more spatially about waste, and how you plan for waste management from the start, not as an afterthought.”
Another highlight was designing a multi-building waste collection area aimed at making waste sorting intuitive and efficient. These projects, Ben says, mirrored his architectural interest in turning concepts into tangible solutions.
Memorable Projects
When asked about his most impactful experiences, Ben points to the Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy. This initiative had him visiting campus food businesses, explaining the strategy, and ensuring compliance. “Face-to-face engagement built strong relationships with business owners and staff,” he says, “and led to practical changes like reusable food ware options, compostable packaging, and better waste sorting.”
Lessons Learned
Working in sustainability has taught Ben the importance of balancing environmental goals with other priorities. “You’re negotiating between what you want to achieve and what’s practical for different stakeholders sometimes it’s revenue, sometimes it’s time,” he reflects. “It requires empathetic, adaptable communication and aiming for collaboration rather than conflict.”
With a department tackling big goals but limited in staff, Ben learned the value of focus. “Although I was given a lot of freedom, I was always thinking about that one goal (waste reduction). That really helped guide me.”
Looking Ahead
As Ben prepares to graduate in November, he’s both nervous and excited. “It’s definitely a bit of both,” he admits. “I’d like to keep working in waste reduction, ideally in a role where I can combine planning and design with sustainability.”
From learning the value of trust and autonomy in the workplace to applying his design skills to tangible environmental solutions, Ben’s time as a Zero Waste Coordinator has been more than just a job, it’s been a launchpad for his future in sustainable design.