AASHE Campus Sustainability Hub

Fair Trade Fair at Seattle University

• Seattle University (WA)

In 2015, Seattle University was the first University in the Pacific Northwest to be designated as a Fair Trade University, building awareness about Fair Trade and getting Fair Trade products ...

• Posted Aug. 3, 2018
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EPA's Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

With over 450 ecolabels in the marketplace today, each claiming to validate environmental and human health benefits, it can become very difficult and time consuming for purchasers to identify which ...

• Posted Aug. 1, 2018
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Real Food Standards 2.1

• Real Food Challenge (MA)

The Real Food Standards are a set of criteria and certifications that define Real Food. The purpose of these Standards is to incentivize purchasing from food producers who reflect the ...

• Posted Aug. 1, 2018
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Emory University supports local community project and skilled job training with commitment to purchase lettuce

• Emory University (GA)

Emory University and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta partnered on a project to create green jobs in a low-income area of Atlanta and help Emory achieve its 75% local ...

• Posted July 31, 2018
• Photographs
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Emory University adopted a Pollinator Protection Policy in 2014

• Emory University (GA)

Emory University adopted a comprehensive Pollinator Protection Policy in 2014, a first of its kind policy at U.S. colleges and universities that bans neonicotinoid application, plants pre-treated with neonicotinoids ...

• Posted July 31, 2018
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Portland State University Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council award for Viking Pavilion Miller Paint work

• Portland State University (OR)

Portland State University’s design standards and sustainable procurement policy commit PSU to using sustainable products, with a preference for materials with low embodied emissions. In response to PSU's ...

• Posted July 31, 2018
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UConn ECOCoin Program

• University of Connecticut (CT)

In 2017, the University of Connecticut bookstore rolled out its ECOCoin initiative, through which customers are given an ECOCoin each time they forfeit a plastic bag at the register. The ...

• Posted July 31, 2018
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Good Food Calculator

• Meal Exchange (ON)

The Good Food Calculator is an auditing tool, run by students with support from food service staff, used to track food purchases that qualify as Good Food over time. The ...

• Posted July 13, 2018
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ANSI/LEO-4000, The American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture

• Leonardo Academy (WI)

The ANSI/LEO-4000 American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture empowers the entire agricultural supply chain, from producers to consumers, to decisively advance sustainability in agriculture. It is a benchmarking standard ...

• Posted June 18, 2018
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Stanford R&DE Student Housing Innovation in Cleaning

• Stanford University (CA)

Stanford’s R&DE Student Housing Operations (SHO) adopted a green cleaning standard that has reduced chemical usage in residences by over 90%. The system engineer's water by infusing it ...

• Posted May 21, 2018
• Case Studies
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E-Book on Ethical Sourcing

• Fairware Promotional Products Ltd (BC)

A starter's guide to assessing your supply chain and will serve to start you down the path of finding suppliers that share your social and environmental goals.

• Posted May 18, 2018
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Purchasing Carbon Offsets 101

• Second Nature (MA)

"Join this webinar for an introduction to purchasing carbon offsets through the voluntary carbon market. The webinar will cover how schools can use verified carbon offsets to meet emissions reduction ...

• Posted May 8, 2018
• Videos & Webinars
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Learning and Teaching Sustainability: The contribution of Ecological Footprint calculators

• Global Footprint Network (CA)
• Cardiff University
• University of Siena

Consumption habits imply responsibility. Progressive awareness of the scale of materials, energy, goods and services consumed on a daily basis and knowledge of the implications of consumption choices are prerequisites ...

• Posted April 25, 2018
• Publications
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University of Vermont Eco-Reps "Curb Your Consumerism" Campaign

• University of Vermont (VT)

While the consumption of goods and services is a crucial component of modern economic systems, the culture of consumerism contributes to waste, resource depletion, pollution, and social and economic inequities ...

• Posted April 23, 2018
• Case Studies
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Pass Up Plastic Challenge

• University of New Hampshire (NH)

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd, the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire coordinated a Pass up Plastic Challenge. Students, faculty, and staff collected single-use plastics ...

• Posted April 23, 2018
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Sourcing “Less Meat, Better Meat” Through Foodservice Contracts

• Farm Forward (OR)

Choosing a foodservice company is one of the most important sustainability decisions that a school, university, or business makes. Requests for proposals (RFPs) and contracts can be used to articulate ...

• Posted April 11, 2018
• Publications
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Example RFP and Scorecard for Procurement/Advisory Services for Large Scale Renewable Energy

• AASHE (PA)

This is an example RFP for a professional services firm to provide renewable energy procurement services that include the development and execution of an integrated strategy to procure renewable energy ...

• Posted April 6, 2018
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Organizational life cycle assessment: suitability for higher education institutions with environmental management systems

• Polytechnic University of Valencia (Valencia)

The purpose of this study is to analyze the suitability of organizational life cycle assessments (O-LCAs) for higher education institutions (HEIs) with special attention to the benefits and particularities of ...

• Posted March 22, 2018
• Publications
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Putting “Reduce” to Work: Getting Rid of Plastic Bags on Michigan State University’s Campus

• Michigan State University (MI)

In order to mitigate the effects of plastic bags on the environment and to fulfill Michigan State University's commitment to sustainability, we pioneered a two part initiative to reduce ...

• Posted March 19, 2018
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The Impact of Sustainable Purchasing Decisions

• Interface Global (GA)
• University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
• Delta College (MI)
• National Association of Educational Procurement (TX)
• Ray C Anderson Foundation (GA)
• AASHE (PA)

This is the 4th and final webinar in the Sustainable Consumption: Sustainable Campus (SC2) series by AASHE supported by the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. The webinar will address the impact ...

• Posted March 12, 2018
• Videos & Webinars
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Contributing to Campus Sustainability Culture through Purchasing, STARS

• Green Seal (DC)
• AASHE (PA)
• EPEAT/Green Electronics Council (OR)
• Forest Stewardship Council (MN)

In partnership with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, AASHE explores how sustainable procurement can transform campuses and the economy in this webinar series, Sustainable Campus: Sustainable Consumption (SC2).

Participants in ...

• Posted March 9, 2018
• Videos & Webinars
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Empowering Procurement to Transform Your Campus and the Economy

• American University (DC)
• Emory University (GA)
• AASHE (PA)
• Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (DC)

Learn how campuses spend money and how they can develop practices and policies that make spending a positive contribution to sustainability. Attendees will gain insight from sustainability officers, campus procurement ...

• Posted March 9, 2018
• Videos & Webinars
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Green Interview: Kimberly Smith, Director of Conferences and Events, AASHE

• AASHE (PA)

When Kimberly Smith began as director of conferences and events at the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), she already thought she was doing her part ...

• Posted Feb. 28, 2018
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Flame Retardant Chemicals in College Dormitories: Flammability Standards Influence Dust Concentrations

• Harvard University (MA)
• University of New Hampshire (NH)
• Silent Spring Institute (MA)
• University of Antwerp

Furniture flammability standards are typically met with chemical flame retardants (FRs). FRs can migrate out of products into dust and are linked to cancer, neurological impairment, and endocrine disruption. We ...

• Posted Feb. 28, 2018
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University of Regina's Print Optimization Program

• University of Regina (SK)

The Print Optimization Program originally started as the University's attempt to manage the number of print devices that we had on campus. Almost every faculty and staff member had ...

• Posted Feb. 28, 2018
• Case Studies
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Building a Strong Local Foods Program for Your Campus

• Smith College (MA)
• Towson University (MD)
• Farm to Institution New England (VT)
• Seattle Central College (WA)
• University of Vermont (VT)
• AASHE (PA)

Food systems have become an increasingly important element of campus sustainability efforts and planning, with varying levels of commitment and institutionalization across campuses. This topic has a variety of focus ...

• Posted Dec. 14, 2017
• Videos & Webinars
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College Students' Emissions “Foodprint”: Can Eco-Labels Shift Diet Types?

• University of California, Berkeley (CA)

Due to the higher greenhouse gas emissions from livestock food production compared to plant-based food production, it is imperative that consumers shift their diets away from meat. One possible method ...

• Posted Dec. 12, 2017
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Sustainable procurement: human rights and greenhouse gas emissions

• University of Leeds (West Yorkshire)

This paper reports on research based on the University of Leeds' supply chain as part of its sustainable development programme. The research examines the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in ...

• Posted Dec. 11, 2017
• Publications
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Corrugated Pallets: How Campus Procurement Policies Can Drive National Change to Reduce Emissions, Advance Zero Waste, and Protect Employees

• Change the Pallet (OR)

Change the Pallet is a national non-profit dedicated to reducing carbon emissions massively through education and advocacy with respect to the tremendous environmental benefits of corrugated paper pallets vs. traditional ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
• Conference Presentations
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A New Way to Benchmark Your Sustainable Purchasing Program

• Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (DC)

The members of the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council have collaborated to produce a Benchmarking System for evaluating the maturity of Sustainable Purchasing Programs. The new tool is being used by ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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What Paper Manufacturers Know About Environmental Impact that Customers Aren't Asking About

• Kimberly-Clark Professional (GA)

In this session we will examine some key environmental considerations that are often overlooked during procurement decisions. Specifically, we will focus on the manufacturing and waste footprint created by consumable ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainable Food Systems: Increasing Local Food Procurement on Campus

• Mohawk College (ON)

Increasing local food procurement represents an opportunity for post-secondary institutions to enhance campus sustainability, improve the student experience, and have a greater positive impact on the regional economy. Mohawk College ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
• Conference Presentations
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CURC Campus Recycling & Materials Management Survey

• Keep America Beautiful (CT)

The College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC) is conducting a national survey to document recycling and sustainable materials management (SMM) trends and practices at North American colleges and universities. The ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Developing a Green Office Program at your Institution

• Harvey Mudd College (CA)

Much of our work as sustainability officers is to encourage the campus community to embrace and live an environmentally sustainable lifestyle, While oftentimes initiatives will target students, eco-conscious purchasing and ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Social Sustainability: University Procurement and Ethical Labor Standards

• Harvard University (MA)

Universities are the center of thought leadership, training global leaders and world citizens. Their business practices should reflect the same core values. Expanding on the anti-sweatshop movement that reformed licensed ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainability in the World of Print and Mail

• Messiah College (PA)

Dwayne Magee, President of IPMA, is also the Director for Print and Mail at Messiah College near Harrisburg, PA. Messiah College and other CCCU schools spend about $15 million every ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Light Up With LED

• The Ohio State University (OH)

Light Up With LED was a semester long, student-led project at the Ohio State University to educate our off-campus student population about energy efficient behaviors. Sponsored by a Coca-cola Sustainability ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Student Governments and the Power Purchase Agreement: A Tool for Financial Sustainability

• Southern Oregon University (OR)

Students at Southern Oregon University are exploring the potential for their student government to invest in solar panels and sell the resulting electricity back to the university, cutting the university ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Interactive Workshop: Simple Choices in Sustainable Purchasing? Beware the Pitfalls

• Green Seal (DC)

What's the simple answer for selecting a sustainable product?' Many purchasers ask this when seeking environmentally-responsible choices. Many of these simple answers may seem to be the correct ones ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Real Food Challenge: Making Real Food a Reality on Campus

• Real Food Challenge (MA)

Across the country, more than 80 institutions of higher education have made individual or system-wide pledges to increase their procurement of real food, increase institutional transparency of campus food purchasing ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Beyond Policy: Sustainable Catering at an Institutional Level

• Emory University (GA)
• America To Go (NY)

How many sustainable catering policies, goals, and guidelines are hard-fought and won, but face the challenge of ubiquitous adoption across the institution? Goals for landfill diversion, waste reduction, and sustainable ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Designing Menus for the Future: Sustainable Food Purchasing, Student Activism and Food Footprints

• University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
• Friends of the Earth (DC)

This interactive discussion explores real world strategies for shifting school menus toward food that is healthy, local and sustainable, including methods for evaluating environmental impacts of food choices. With on ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Refillable water bottles, reusable bags, and bicycle lights: Is sustainability swag sustainable?

• University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

When students arrive on your campus, perhaps they find a refillable water bottle in their residence hall room. Or at new student orientation, perhaps they receive a reusable bag with ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Tackling the Supply Chain-Proven Strategies to Source More Sustainable Food

• University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
• Sodexo (FL)
• Farm Forward (OR)

Colleges and universities play an important role supporting the development of sustainable food systems. Historically, sustainable dining programs have focused on sourcing local and organic produce. Increasingly universities are playing ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Fishing for Solutions: How Sourcing Sustainable and Affordable Seafood Fits into Your Campus Foodservice and Sustainability Programs

• University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
• Monterey Bay Aquarium (CA)
• Sea to Table (NY)
• Changing Tastes (MA)

What's for dinner? Fish! And a chance to promote ocean conservation, increase seafood consumption on campus, and engage students in sustainability. Chefs, nutritionists and food activists have advised an ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Food Service Companies and Campuses Innovating to Source More Local Food

• Grand Valley State University (MI)
• University of Vermont (VT)
• Aramark Higher Education (PA)
• Sodexo (FL)

This session will focus on increasing local food purchasing through stakeholder engagement at universities in Arizona, Maine, Michigan and Vermont. GVSU continues to expand its sustainable agriculture educational opportunities and ...

• Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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The Key to Sustainable Purchasing - Radical Supply Chain Transparency

• Georgetown University (DC)
• Harvard University (MA)
• AASHE (PA)
• Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (DC)

By definition, you can’t really know what is happening in your institution’s supply chain if you don’t even know where your supply chain is. Yet, few purchasers ...

• Posted Nov. 7, 2017
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Purchasing - University of Calgary

• University of Calgary (AB)

University of Calgary has demonstrated leadership for sustainable purchasing in all aspects of its campus operations. Supply Chain Management integrates sustainability into the purchasing processes by requiring preferred vendors to ...

• Posted Oct. 14, 2017
• Photographs
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NAU - Sustainable Campus Index - Bookstore Bag Pictures

• Northern Arizona University (AZ)

Northern Arizona University’s Bookstore (operated by Follett) is the latest concessionaire to stop handing out plastic bags for retail operations, opting instead for a more environmentally friendly paper bag ...

• Posted Oct. 11, 2017
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#EKULocal Festival

• Eastern Kentucky University (KY)

On September 7th, 2017, the Office of Sustainability at Eastern Kentucky University hosted its second annual #EKULocal Festival. The festival featured live music, fun activites, fresh produce, and a variety ...

• Posted Sept. 28, 2017
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