Case Studies
Introduction
AASHE’s case study library contains hundreds of detailed case studies on a wide variety of higher education sustainability initiatives from faculty development programs to whole campus energy retrofits to community partnerships. All case studies are entered in the annual AASHE Awards Program.
At a Glance
Total Resources
Organizations
Countries
U.S. States & Territories
Canadian Provinces
Bars in graphs can be clicked to view resources that align with a particular category. Because a resource may be listed under multiple topics and disciplines, graph data may include higher total counts than what is indicated in total resources above.
New Resources
Binghamton 2 Degrees: Building Community Resilience Through Collaborative Action
- Binghamton University (NY)
Binghamton 2 Degrees is a transformative initiative uniting Binghamton University and the greater Binghamton community to envision a resilient future under the looming threat of two degrees of warming. Through …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
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B.Y.O. Campaign and Romeoville Repair Cafe: Reducing Waste by Promoting a Circular Economy through Single Use Waste Reduction and Product Repair
- Joliet Junior College (IL)
American throwaway culture is rapidly expanding garbage landfill around the world; majorly, it’s caused by planned or perceived obsolesces and daily disposables. Many people unknowingly throw away items that could …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
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Cat Trax Bike Share Program
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
Cat Trax bike share is a collaborative program between the town of Durham, NH and the UNH Sustainability Institute. We manage and maintain a fleet of 30 bikes that are …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
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Design for Vulnerables
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Monterrey (Nuevo Leon)
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Chihuahua (Chihuahua)
Design for “Vulnerables – Technology Challenge” is a project idealized and created in Tecnológico de Monterrey, Chihuahua Campus, it aims to understand how design processes can facilitate the introduction …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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ACG’s Commitment to Reducing Food Waste On Campus and the Broader Community
- The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)
ACG is dedicated to reducing food waste both on campus and in the broader community through ongoing volunteer initiatives, awareness-raising events, and relevant research.
Since November 2018, The American College …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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The ACG Sustainability Leaders Student Organization
- The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)
The ACG Sustainability Leaders student organization is consistently making an impact both on and off the ACG campus through a variety of sustainability-related activities, including community contribution initiatives.
Established in …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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Northeastern's Climate Justice Action Plan
- Northeastern University (MA)
Northeastern University’s Climate Justice Action Plan (CJAP) is a comprehensive, forward-thinking initiative designed to integrate climate justice principles into the institution’s sustainability framework. At the heart of this plan is …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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IE University’s Sustainability Week
- Instituto de Empresa SL
Each year, the entire IE University community comes together to celebrate one of our most impactful flagship events – the Sustainability Week. This student-led initiative is driven by a collaborative …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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CSUN’s CA Climate Action Corps Workforce Development Service Program
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
The California State University, Northridge (CSUN) CA Climate Action Corps (CCAC) program is part of California’s statewide effort to address climate change through community-focused action. Launched in 2021, the program …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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From Waste to Resource: Building a Culture of Circularity and Engagement at ISU's Share Shop
- Illinois State University (IL)
Illinois State University (ISU) has developed and successfully implemented The Share Shop, a free secondhand store located inside the Office of Sustainability. The Share Shop has had a transformative impact …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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SUNY Student Assembly’s Sustainability Town Hall
- University at Albany (NY)
- University at Buffalo (NY)
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
- State University of New York System Office (NY)
On September 24th, 2024, I, Eden Gardner, hosted a virtual sustainability town hall on behalf of the SUNY Student Assembly, in coordination with the SUNY Office of Sustainability, and the …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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System-wide STARS completion for Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Monterrey (Nuevo Leon)
Tecnológico de Monterrey is a private, non-profit, independent institution with no political and religious affiliations. The work of Tecnológico de Monterrey and all its campuses is supported by civil associations …
- Posted Jan. 22, 2025
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Green For Good
- Nanyang Technological University
The Green For Good is the flagship initiative of Earthlink NTU, one of the largest student-led sustainability group in Singapore. Held in Nanyang Technological University Singapore, the one-month long sustainability …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2025
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Climate Action Clinic at UNH: Training Carbon Management Professionals in Collaboration with Community Organizations
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
The Climate Action Clinic is a high-impact learning opportunity that builds off UNH's decades-long role supporting carbon footprinting and climate action by other organizations--leveraging the expertise rooted in UNH’s own …
- Posted Oct. 24, 2024
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Resilience Cohort, Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
The Resilience Cohort (RC) is a program of the Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) at Indiana University (IU) that helps Indiana city, town, and county governments to measure and reduce local …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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The Community Action Center Project: Where Food Shelves Meet Carbon Offsets
- Carleton College (MN)
In the city of Northfield, MN, uneaten food typically ends up as waste in the landfill. As this food decomposes, it releases methane—a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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"Food Waste Prevention Week"
- University of California, Merced (CA)
The University of California, Merced's (UC Merced) Sustainable Food Programs is focused on and committed to surplus food recovery, food waste awareness and prevention, food security and more. UC Merced …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Sustainability into Action: Undergraduate Certificate Catalyzes Sustainability Progress
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
A generation of students faced with a sustainability crisis have the appetite to learn how to "do sustainability" and put their learning into action. We developed an innovative interdisciplinary program …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Earth Fest
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Earth Fest, a free and inclusive community celebration of the past, present, and future sustainability efforts in River Falls and the surrounding area. This family friendly event was held for …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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"Improv to Improve the Earth"
- University of California, Merced (CA)
The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) in partnership with Quarantine Improv (QI) hosted its second annual Earth Day event, "Improv to Improve the Earth". The goal was to bring …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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WSU Office of Campus Sustainability
- Wayne State University (MI)
The Office of Campus Sustainability holds around 25 engagement events throughout the year and reaches around 350 students and countless community members. Each of the student leaders within the Office …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Cities Need Trees
- Boston University (MA)
Over the past year, I have dedicated myself to promoting sustainability in Boston, Massachusetts by advocating for an increased urban forest to combat climate change and rising summer temperatures. The …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Eco Film and Media Arts Festival
- University of Southern California (CA)
The inaugural Eco Film and Media Arts Festival was designed to bring together student filmmakers and artists engaged in climate storytelling and activism. The festival featured 11 student films that …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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USC Trojan Shop Local Initiative
- University of Southern California (CA)
Certainly, since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and the pandemic years through recent months, the focus upon opportunities to close racial economic wealth gaps has heightened throughout Los …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Supplier Diversification program: Increasing procurement spending with diverse businesses
- Seattle University (WA)
Seattle University wants to lead a paradigm shift in how local, large institutions do business. The university specifically intends to address the gap between businesses in the local Black community …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Unanue Scholars Program: Improving College Access for Local Latina Students
- Catawba College (NC)
The Unanue Scholars Program serves junior Latina students from public high schools in Rowan County, North Carolina. Recipients of the scholarship are provided with a cost-free course at Catawba College …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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USC Urban Trees Initiative
- University of Southern California (CA)
The USC Urban Trees Initiative (USC Trees) brings together faculty, staff, and student researchers at the University of Southern California to help the City of Los Angeles and local nonprofits …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Air Travel Offset Program
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
In July 2021, the University of Pennsylvania enacted a University-wide travel sustainability policy that created the Climate Impact Offset (CLIO) charge to pay for projects that offset the carbon impacts …
- Posted May 23, 2023
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The Working Farms Fund: Partnership to Build a Sustainable Local Food System and Support a Diverse New Generation of Farmers
- Emory University (GA)
- The Conservation Fund (GA)
Emory University has partnering with the national non-profit The Conservation Fund (TCF) to support a diverse new generation of farmers in rural Georgia and help build the local food supply …
- Posted May 16, 2023
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Ava Brewer uses student-athletes as sustainability advocates for CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
Central Sustainability coordinator Ava Brewer created a video promoting sustainability at CMU using student-athletes as sustainability advocates. The video will play at football, men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball and …
- Posted May 15, 2023
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Central Sustainability, CMU Professor Hope May and Cora di Brazza Foundation lead Peace Flag Raising at CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
On April 21, 2023, Central Sustainability, Central Michigan University Professor Hope May and the Cora di Brazza Foundation collaborated to present CMU’s annual Peace Flag Raising ceremony. This year, CMU …
- Posted May 15, 2023
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Creation of a Pollinator Garden at Farmingdale State College
- State University of New York at Farmingdale (NY)
In the Spring of 2023 Farmingdale State College's Office for Sustainability partnered with the college's Horticulture department to design an on-campus pollinator garden. The site is currently a 100 square …
- Posted May 8, 2023
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Enhancing Students’ Environmental Skills Through A Solid Waste Sustainability Hub
- University of South Alabama (AL)
The objective of this project is to establish a solid waste sustainability hub that promotes environmental stewardship and education by focusing on waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and rethinking. A team …
- Posted May 2, 2023
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Endicott College's Environmental Justice Working Group
- Endicott College (MA)
The Environmental Justice Working Group at Endicott College was established in 2023 by Sophia Gosselin-Smoske, a student at Endicott College and a Fellow in the Office of Sustainability. The group …
- Posted April 27, 2023
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ReWear It Marquette
- Marquette University (WI)
Student-led monthly clothing swap organization on Marquette University's campus.
- Posted April 18, 2023
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WMGIC: Expanding Student Involvement in Sustainable Development
- College of William & Mary (VA)
The Global Innovation Challenge at William and Mary (WMGIC) encourages and facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and applied learning opportunities among students, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers by bringing innovative and sustainable perspectives …
- Posted May 23, 2022
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Mapping Concordia’s Sustainability Ecosystem, a system mapping experiment
- Concordia University (QC)
Tristan Harris, the founder of the Center for humane Technology, once said: "Our ability to meet the world's challenges depends on us making sense & coordinating together." It means that …
- Posted May 20, 2022
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Engaging with Indigenous Communities for Climate Action: The Bayano-McGill Reforestation Project
- McGill University (QC)
The Bayano-McGill Reforestation Project is an initiative that is at the leading edge of carbon offsetting projects in higher education. The multi-faceted initiative, financed by the University, provides benefits to …
- Posted May 20, 2022
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EchoWorks: An Electronics Recycling College-Community Partnership
- Western Dakota Technical College (SD)
There are more than a thousand toxic substances associated with electronic waste (e-waste), and improper disposal can lead to soil, water, food, and air contamination. E-waste is the fastest growing …
- Posted May 20, 2022
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Establishing and sustaining Indiana’s first higher education chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby at Purdue University
- Purdue University (IN)
- Citizens' Climate Lobby (CA)
In an effort to learn how to meaningfully engage with my community on the issue of climate change, I joined Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization which advances …
- Posted May 20, 2022
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Contactless Food Box Deliveries: Driving Down Food Insecurity
- University of California, Merced (CA)
The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) launched the Contactless Food Box Delivery Program in December 2020 which continues to this day. 5-10 boxes are delivered every week to those …
- Posted May 19, 2022
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Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue (ICAD): Community conversations for a sustainable and equitable future
- James Madison University (VA)
With a mission to “inspire dialogue and deliberation that shapes engaged and inclusive communities and informs sound policies,” the Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue (ICAD) at James Madison University …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Nebraska State Fair Sustainability Pavilion
- Central Community College (NE)
In partnership with the Nebraska State Fair, students are invited to develop sustainability projects and present them at the Sustainability Pavilion. 2021 student projects include a kayak made from mushroom …
- Posted May 5, 2022
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Pacific Northwest Just Futures Institute for Racial and Climate Justice
- University of Oregon (OR)
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Just Futures Institute is a transformational regional platform for racial and climate justice funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. We hold collaborations among the University …
- Posted May 4, 2022
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Launching the Emerging Environmental Leaders (EELs) Program in Minnesota
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
University of Minnesota campuses (Twin Cities and Morris) collaborated with the State of Minnesota to launch the Emerging Environmental Leaders (EELs) program in the spring of 2021. The program brought …
- Posted Jan. 3, 2022
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Place Setting: Enhancing sustainable approaches to food security & community engagement through design of space
- University of Kentucky (KY)
The Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky (CKUK) is a student-led service organization that is a partner agency of God’s Pantry Food Bank within the Feeding America’s network. Housed …
- Posted Jan. 3, 2022
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SCECon 21: Our World, Our Time, Our Voices
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
SCECon 2021: Our World, Our Time, Our Voices aims to recenter the environmental narrative around environmental justice by giving intentional space for students to learn about unique and intersectional environmental …
- Posted May 26, 2021
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SDG Undergraduate Research Group
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Launched Fall 2020, SURG (SDG Undergraduate Research Group) is an undergraduate research group affiliated with the UC Berkeley Office of Sustainability and guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We …
- Posted May 26, 2021
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Inclusive Sustainability: Collaborative Approaches through UC Santa Cruz’s People of Color Sustainability Collective
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
The People of Color Sustainability Collective (PoCSC) works to make the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) a leader in sustainability and environmental justice, in recognition of our changing demographics …
- Posted May 26, 2021
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Minnesota Student Sustainability Leadership Network
- St. Catherine University (MN)
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, students created theMinnesota Student Sustainability Leadership Network to bring together student leaders involved in sustainability from colleges and universities across the state of …
- Posted May 26, 2021
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