How one skilled trades instructor is turning scrap into student success
Sustainability and supporting students
What started as a simple recycling effort at NSCC's Shelburne Campus has evolved into an innovative sustainability initiative that's putting money directly back into students' pockets—one copper wire at a time.
Shawn MacAulay, an instructor for the College’s Electrical Construction and Industrial program since 2010, has been quietly transforming waste from shop materials used by students to complete their program outcomes into student awards, proving that even the smallest scraps can make a meaningful difference in students' lives.
From recycling to revenue
The story begins in 2010, when Shawn and the late William Nickerson, Shelburne Campus's facilities lead, started recycling shop waste metals. At the time, they split proceeds with the recycler, directing funds to the Student Association and emergency student support.
But when the recycler changed, so did the arrangement. The shared profit stopped, and the contribution to student emergency funds disappeared along with it.
"Taking action to control the recycling of the scrap wiring seemed to be a better use of the resource," Shawn explains.
This past spring, Program Assistant Phil Seaboyer took the initiative to reclaim value from these recyclables. With support from academic chair Duane Dakin, the campus purchased a wire-stripping machine that increased the value of copper wire by 400 per cent simply by removing the insulation. Phil volunteered to strip a significant pile of wire, and they both began returning materials to recyclers in Bridgewater and Dartmouth to get the best price per pound.
Since spring 2025, the initiative has generated $1,000, with all proceeds contributing to the William Nickerson Endowment, which funds the Building Trades Sustainability Award, honouring the late facilities lead who championed sustainability at Shelburne Campus. This year, they estimate an additional $2,500 contribution.
Building a greener future for trades students
The initiative has expanded beyond Shelburne Campus to include the Digby site, with all Electrical Construction and Industrial program deliveries now separating used wires for recycling. The Building Trades and Sustainability Award supports full-time and part-time students across Shelburne Campus, Burridge Campus and Digby Learning Centre in carpentry, electrical, refrigeration and welding programs.
Applicants are asked: "How do you or will you participate in and support green initiatives within the building trades?" Challenging the next generation of tradespeople to think critically about sustainability in their future careers.
A model for campus-wide change
Shawn’s vision extends beyond the trades. He has been reaching out to other campuses, faculty and academic chairs to identify how their program materials are recycled and whether they hold similar value.
"This activity is not limited to the trades programs," he emphasizes. "If there is value in the used or waste materials, take some time to discuss how that value can be returned to best support our students and sites."
Shawn notes that the recycling process itself required some adjustment, but the effort is worthwhile, as returning value to students supports the College’s community and builds accountability for sustainability.
Create an initiative to support students
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