AASHE Campus Sustainability Hub

The Real Food Challenge at Lehigh University

• Lehigh University (PA)

The Real Food Challenge (RFC) is a national student run campaign to encourage campuses to increase the ratio of food purchased from “conventional” to “real food”. At Lehigh, the Office ...

• Posted June 2, 2016
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The Sustainable Bookstore: Giving New Life to Discarded University Library Books

• Appalachian State University (NC)

When the Appalachian State University library culled its stacks, close to 80,000 books were slated to be recycled. Many of these books, some dating back to the late 1800s ...

• Posted June 1, 2016
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NC State University Students Leverage Partnerships To Eliminate Plastic Bags on Campus

• North Carolina State University (NC)

Over a three-year period, the NC State Stewards collaborated with the university’s Campus Enterprises division to move toward the elimination of single-use plastic bags in the most wasteful locations ...

• Posted May 31, 2016
• Case Studies
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The Merits of Fair Trade - Fair Trade Colleges & Universities

• Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)

Fair Trade Colleges & Universities presents: The Merits of Fair Trade.

Fair Trade is a market-based approach to alleviating poverty in ways that improve lives, empower communities, and protect the ...

• Posted April 15, 2016
• Videos & Webinars
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College Students Starting To Demand 'Living Wage' Sportswear

This article explores how students can impact campus purchasing decisions. It provides insight into the difference between “fair trade” and “living wage” companies, and what students can do to promote ...

• Posted April 12, 2016
• Publications
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Guidance for Leadership in Sustainable Purchasing

• Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (DC)

The Guidance for Leadership in Sustainable Purchasing Version is intended to help organizations improve the environmental, social, and economic performance within their supply chains—across the entirety of product and ...

• Posted March 30, 2016
• Tools
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Challenge the Label

• ISEAL Alliance

Sustainability claims have become widespread in the modern marketplace, and with it greenwashing has expanded. The practice of making empty, unfounded or exaggerated sustainability claims risks alienating buyers committed to ...

• Posted March 30, 2016
• Tools
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BuyingPoultry

• Farm Forward (OR)

BuyingPoultry is a free independent buying guide that cuts through labels and marketing claims and makes it easy to find the highest-welfare products near you.

• Posted March 25, 2016
• Tools
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Real Food Calculator

• Real Food Challenge (MA)

The Real Food Calculator is a tool for tracking institutional purchasing over time. College and University students in the U.S. use the Real Food Calculator as a platform for ...

• Posted March 3, 2016
• Tools
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Michigan State University Sustainable Food Procurement Guide

• Michigan State University (MI)

This guide will clarify to existing and potential new supply chain partners what is important

to MSU as we strive to make increasingly responsible choices in food service sourcing, and ...

• Posted March 3, 2016
• Publications
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Banning Bottled Water on Campus; Beyond Excuses

• Pacific Lutheran University (WA)

Over 100 colleges and universities across the US and Canada have enacted a policy of responsible water sales in their purchasing. Such a drastic change for an institution is made ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Smart Print: Using the Cloud to Identify Waste & Excess Energy Consumption

• University of Illinois at Chicago (IL)
• Pharos Systems International (NY)

The University of Illinois at Chicago has deployed a new, cloud-based tool to deliver a campus-wide view of their printer fleet, their users who print and the documents they print ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Impact Advocacy - Fair Trade in Your Life and on Campus

• Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)

Fair Trade empowers farmers and workers and promotes economic development, social justice, and environmental stewardship. The world of Fair Trade includes a wide range of groups and interests; businesses, non-profits ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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PHOENIX lifestyle: Consumerism with Conscience

• University of Massachusetts Amherst (NY)

A student-led initiative at UMass Amherst that strives to bring awareness to the issue of consumerism in the apparel industry and give students, faculty, and others a unique opportunity to ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Sustainable and Ethical Purchasing: Fair Trade Procurement Policies and Practices

• Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)

Over the last two years Fair Trade Colleges & Universities has developed and piloted policies to help institutions purchase sustainable and responsible goods. Leveraging the purchasing power of higher education ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Spearfish Local: Improving Community Health Through Collaboration

• Black Hills State University (SD)

Black Hills State University (BHSU) and community partners are seeking to create a culture that supports and values our local food economy and other aspects of healthy communities. Located in ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Do you want your receipt? How simple changes to bookstore operations reduce use of BPA and related chemicals.

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MN)

What if even the simplest transaction at your campus bookstore could be better for employees and our environment? If your campus uses thermal paper receipts in its bookstore, library or ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Incorporating Life Cycle Analysis into Campus Dining

• University of Missouri (MO)

The environmental impacts associated with food production have been well-documented through Life cycle analyses (LCA). LCA of food products have focused largely on individual food items. However, very little work ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Appalachian State University/Scale Free Systems Project

• Appalachian State University (NC)

Scale Free Systems is a chemical free solution to scaling as well as corrosion and bacterial control in heat transfer equipment. The Scale Free System has been proven to prevent ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Understanding Why Product Lifecycles are Critical to Supporting Campus Sustainability Initiatives

• University of Denver (CO)
• Staples Business Advantage (MA)
• Kimberly-Clark Professional (GA)

Sustainability is an integral part of a university's environmental commitment and recruiting efforts. Universities need to embrace sustainable practices and be transparent when communicating measures being adopted to satisfy ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Real Food, Real Communities: Mobilizing Students, Community Members and Staff to reform College Food Procurement Policies

• Carleton College (MN)
• Bon Appétit Management Company

Where our food comes from and how it is produced is question that is becoming extremely important to students and administrators alike. Carleton College has demonstrated a commitment to answering ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Making Green Cleaning Stick: The Journey to Green Seal Standards

• Muskegon Community College (MI)
• Western Michigan University (MI)

LEED V4 now recognizes custodial programs certified under one of the following: Green Seal's Environmental Standard for Commercial Cleaning Services (GS-42); or International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Cleaning Industry ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cooperative Education: Promoting Sustainability in Procurement & Education

• Portland Community College (OR)

This presentation will share highlights from projects which seek to support instructors in the development and implementation of sustainability curriculum thereby increasing student engagement and improving their knowledge, skills and ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Local Purchasing 101: we'll debunk the price myth, talk through other obstacles to local purchasing and how to overcome them

• Denison University (OH)

With every college trying to buy more and more local food these days, many are struggling with how to do this but still meet their budget. I'll explain how ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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PROCUREMENT GONE GREEN!

• National Joint Powers Alliance

The ability to procure the specific Green products you desire, to meet your agencies unique Green initiatives, and without wasting time, money or unnecessary effort is at the core of ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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More Than Fair: Developing Ethical & Sustainable Guidelines for Purchasing

• Oregon State University (OR)

Over the past two years, multiple organizations within Oregon State University have collaborated to develop a set of priorities and guidelines aimed at increasing ethical purchasing practices on campus. This ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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98% of the Clothes We Buy Are Made Overseas

• TS Designs (NC)

Eric Henry will discuss the impact that fashion moving overseas has had not only on the finished product we wear but also on the world. Eric breaks down why a ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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UC Berkeley Plastic Disclosure Project

• University of California, Berkeley (CA)

The Plastic Disclosure Project (PDP) at UC Berkeley discloses the campus' plastic footprint, making it the first University to publicly reveal this information. The objectives of PDP is to measure ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Beyond Excuses: Banning Bottled Water on Your Campus (2014)

• Pacific Lutheran University (WA)

Over 90 universities across the US and Canada have enacted a policy of responsible water sales in their purchasing. They have each banned the sale of bottled water at their ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Teach by Example with Environmentally Preferable Electronics

• American University (DC)
• EPEAT/Green Electronics Council (OR)

Electronic products are everywhere on university campuses – from computers and monitors in labs and libraries, to copiers and printers in every academic office, to TVs in student dorms. IT equipment ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Integrating FSC into Your University: A Case Study of Berea College

• Berea College (KY)
• Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects (MO)
• Forest Stewardship Council (MN)

How we source and use forest products like wood and paper can have a significant impact on the environment. At academic institutions, where people use such significant quantities of wood ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Green Cleaning in the Real World: What Works and How Much Does it Cost?

• Lane Community College (OR)

Somewhere between cleaning products and equipment that simply don’t work and the greenwashed products that merely re-label toxic options lies the real world of green cleaning undertaken by a ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Buy Less, Buy Better: Defining Success in Green Purchasing

• University of Arizona (AZ)
• Office Depot, Inc. (TX)

In 2012, the University of Arizona enacted a Green Purchasing Policy directing that equal consideration be given to environmental and social factors as is given to typical purchasing considerations such ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Make a difference with a commitment to certified sustainable seafood

• Marine Stewardship Council (WA)

Higher Education is playing an increasingly important role in fostering sustainable practices, including food service and seafood. With increasing pressure on global fisheries to feed a growing population, the need ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Is Your Institution Ready for the Future of Sustainable Procurement?

• Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (DC)

Leading organizations in government, industry, academia and the non-profit sector came together in 2013 to launch the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) in an effort to solve the biggest obstacle ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Steps to Sustainable Procurement: Reducing Our Supply Chain Footprint

• Portland Community College (OR)
• Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)

As a leader in higher education sustainability, Portland Community College (PCC) completes an extensive greenhouse gas inventory annually, which includes calculating Scope III supply chain emissions from all purchases district-wide ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Changing how Macalester writes: implementing reusable dry erase

• Macalester College (MN)

Traditional dry erase markers contradict numerous of the Macalester College’s sustainability goals, including zero waste by 2020. Disposable markers are designed to be single-use and, consequently, wasteful. In 2013 ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Collaboration & Compromise: Alternatives to a Bottled Water Ban

• Portland State University (OR)

The call to ban bottled water sales on college and university campuses is growing stronger across the country, with 24 institutions listed by AASHE as having a ban in place ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Sponsored Theater Presentation: Elkay

• ELKAY (IL)

Elkay, a name known for pioneering the most innovative clean water delivery methods, will showcase its latest technology in Water Bottle Filling Stations. Looking to offer a more sustainable solution ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Bio-Based Desktop Printing, It’s time to educate ourselves.

• Environment First Printing (NH)

Bio-Based Printing was introduced to the main stream in 2009. Since then, bio-based content has been increased, usage has increased, and companies all over the world have adopted a new ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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AASHE Panel Discussion: Behavior Catalyzing Sustainable Change

• Kimberly-Clark Professional (GA)

Furthering sustainability on campus and across the globe requires a team effort at shaking up the process, perceptions and habits to consider a new, more sustainable path. This panel will ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Plenary Session 3: Driving Innovations Simultaneously at the Economy, Community and Campus Scale

• Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (DC)

In this plenary, strategist and social entrepreneur Jason Pearson, Executive Director of the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, founder of TRUTHstudio, and creator of Economy Map, will highlight the role of ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Environmental Life Cycle Analysis of Food at University of Washington

• University of Washington, Seattle (WA)

In spring 2014, twenty-five students in the class Sustainability Studio (in the undergraduate Environmental Studies program) partnered with University of Washington Housing and Food Services to assess the environmental impacts ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Power of Ethical Sourcing and Ecolabels: Perspectives from Fair Trade USA, Marine Stewardship Council and the Forest Steward

• Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)

With thousands of products on shelves and hundreds of ecolabels, making purchasing decisions that provide positive benefits to the environment and society can be confusing for professionals and consumers. The ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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On-site Power Purchase Agreements 101: What you really need to know

• Yale University (CT)
• Community Energy, Inc. (PA)
• Second Nature (MA)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

In an effort to address climate change universities across the nation have made formal commitments and set targets to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions. They are now grappling with how ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Purchasing: Developing a "LEED for Purchasing"

• American University (DC)
• AASHE (PA)

The potential for purchasing to positively influence supply chains has yet to be realized at scale, due largely to the lack of an overall sustainable purchasing framework. Lacking a coherent ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Farm to Institution New England: Successes & Lessons Learned in Institutional Local Food Procurement

• Skidmore College (NY)
• Farm to Institution New England (VT)

After several years of farm to institution projects and initiatives in the northeast, there have been many successes and many important lessons learned. This panel will highlight the ways that ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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Off-site Power Purchase Agreements: How Long-term Contracts Can Reduce Emissions and Energy Costs

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
• ERG Consulting Firm (MA)

Colleges and universities are committing to aggressive emission reduction goals as part of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprints and meet their commitments under the ACUPCC. Electricity use commonly ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Paper Sourcing: Easy Wins on Campus, Huge Impacts in the Forest

• Forest Stewardship Council (MN)
• World Wildlife Fund (DC)

Overall paper consumption globally is on the rise. In the US alone we consume 500 lbs. of paper per capita, which is more than any other country. 40% of the ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Opportunities for Wind and Solar Technology Education: Stabilize Energy Costs

• MV Green Power LLC (TX)

The presenters will also describe methods of incorporating the latest information on renewable energy technologies, solar and wind, into college course curricula. We also discuss ways of integrating these renewable ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
• Conference Presentations
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