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
The 10-Year Challenge (IE University)
- Instituto de Empresa SL
The 10-Year Challenge is a transformative initiative launched by the IE University Sustainability Office in 2020. Its primary aim is to address sustainability challenges annually by focusing on a specific …
- 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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Sustainability Vision 2036: an Inclusive Process for Strategic Planning
- Emory University (GA)
Since Emory adopted sustainability as a guiding principle in its 2005 Strategic Plan, the enterprise has published two Sustainability Vision and Strategic Plans. These documents have guided Emory through two …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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Sorting it Out: A People-Centered Perspective on a Stadium Zero Waste Program
- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NC)
In 2022, the Office of Sustainability at UNC Charlotte took responsibility for an existing football stadium zero waste program. This shift in leadership, along with other changes to equipment, supplies, …
- 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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Wi-Fi Inferred Occupancy Count for Air Conditioning Optimisation
- Nanyang Technological University
An effective strategy to reduce building energy consumption is to optimise building controls using occupancy information. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) is trialling an innovative method for determining occupant counts …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC) - Mandatory Sustainability Education for all Undergraduate Students
- Nanyang Technological University
In 2021, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) introduced the Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC) as a mandatory component of its undergraduate curriculum. This initiative aims to equip students with essential transferable …
- 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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Fostering Action Through Campus-Wide Engagement: A Case Study of NYU’s 2040 Now Campaign
- New York University (NY)
This case study provides an overview of New York University’s (NYU) campus engagement campaign aimed at promoting sustainability actions. Initiated in 2023, 2040 Now brought together students, faculty, and staff …
- 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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University of the Immaculate Conception - Sustainable Education for Culinary Professionals
- University of the Immaculate Conception
Developed by Worldchefs in collaboration with an esteemed panel of culinary experts, educators, and scientists, the Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals curriculum offers a transformative learning experience for chefs and …
- Posted Jan. 22, 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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Multi-modal Commute Matching to Build Community and Reduce Scope 3 Emissions
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Provide Cal State Fullerton students, faculty, and staff with a way to find each other according to commute point of origin, schedule, and travel mode in order to form carpools, …
- Posted Jan. 14, 2025
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The ASU Eco Reps Program
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Coca-Cola (GA)
The Eco Reps program is a student sustainability engagement joint initiative between Coca-Cola and University Sustainability Practices with additional funding from internal units. Spring 2025 marks the sixth semester of …
- Posted Jan. 14, 2025
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Student Education for Environmental Development (SEED)
- McGill University (QC)
Student Education for Environmental Development, or SEED, is an initiative that brings free, interactive environmental education lessons to schools in Canada and the US with a focus on underprivileged students. …
- Posted Jan. 7, 2025
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CSU Faculty Learning Community in Teaching Climate Change and Resilience 2024
- California State University, Chico (CA)
In the Spring of 2024, 210 faculty from twenty-one California State University campuses and three California Community College campuses participated in the second CSU Faculty Learning Community in Teaching Climate …
- Posted Dec. 2, 2024
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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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UC San Diego Seventh College Synthesis Program Decarbonization Living Laboratory
- University of California San Diego (CA)
Beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year, faculty from the Seventh College Synthesis Program have partnered with staff from Operations Management and Capital Programs to develop living laboratory, project-based courses for …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2024
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Embracing Plastic-Free: Reusable Takeout at Carleton College That is Actually Reused
- Carleton College (MN)
- USEFULL (MA)
College campuses have an opportunity to positively impact the waste stream with reusable container programs in campus dining. Bon Appétit at Carleton College partnered with USEFULL to offer tech-enabled reusable …
- Posted May 31, 2024
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Composting at EMU Dining's Facilities
- Eastern Michigan University (MI)
- Chartwells Higher Education (NY)
Currently, three of EMU’s dining facilities are a part of a program that diverts pre and post consumer food waste from landfill. Our teams have a contract with a local …
- Posted April 23, 2024
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University of Rochester’s Analysis of WexWindows
- University of Rochester (NY)
A pilot study was conducted at the Medical Center G7011 area to evaluate the effectiveness of WexWindows as a potential retrofit solution for University of Rochester’s aging and underperforming windows. …
- Posted Jan. 10, 2024
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BEACON® SaaS Makes Water Visible at UC Merced
- University of California, Merced (CA)
- Badger Meter (WI)
A group of staff and students form the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) in Central Valley California joined forces to dramatically cut water, energy and gas usage per student …
- Posted Jan. 10, 2024
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It’s Really Free! Patriot Packout Expands to Support George Mason University Community Members’ Basic Needs
- George Mason University (VA)
This case study focuses on George Mason University’s sustainable move-out initiative, Patriot Packout (PPO) 2023. Existing in some form (unofficial and official) since 2003, the PPO initiative was expanded in …
- Posted Dec. 7, 2023
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Aligning with Place: A case study in xeriscaping at Gonzaga University's Office of Sustainability.
- Gonzaga University (WA)
This project's goal was to xeriscape the front lawn of the Office of Sustainability, transforming it from a grass lawn into a lawn with mulch and drought-tolerant plants. The xeriscape …
- Posted July 17, 2023
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Student Led Composting in Residence Halls
- Drake University (IA)
In 2021, a student recognized the opportunity to reduce waste landfilled from residence halls. Working with Facilities, Residence Life, and Community Engaged Learning, a grant was applied for and received …
- Posted June 7, 2023
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Ohio State's Composting Expansion
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Ohio State’s Compost Program Expansion led by Facilities, Operations, and Development (FOD), in collaboration with Student Life, Athletics, Wexner Medical Center, the Sustainability Institute, and many student groups, enabled the …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Kaié:ri Nikawerà:ke Indigenous Bridging Program
- Concordia University (QC)
We are proud to offer the Kaié:ri Nikawerà:ke Indigenous Bridging Program as a pathway for eligible First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who don’t meet Concordia’s traditional admission requirements.
For …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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FRESH to Table: A Homegrown Dining Initiative
- Boston College (MA)
Boston College (BC) seeks to foster the ethical and personal formation of its students to prepare them for citizenship, service, and leadership in a global society. In addition, as a …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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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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Boston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences
- Boston University (MA)
Boston University’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences is the University’s largest [academic building] addition to the Charles River Campus in 50 years and its most sustainable building to date. …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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OwlSwap– A Social Equity and Environmental Sustainability Textiles and Apparel Initiative at Kennesaw State University
- Kennesaw State University (GA)
Clothing production is one of the most polluting, resource-intensive industrial processes on the planet. On average, over 80 lbs of textile waste per person ends up in landfills every year, …
- 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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Sustainable Lab Community Engagement Campaign
- McGill University (QC)
McGill University is working toward two ambitious sustainability targets: to become zero-waste by 2035 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. As one of the top research universities in Canada …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Duke University Climate Commitment
- Duke University (NC)
As Duke University enters its second century, President Vincent Price has directed the University to marshal its collective resources and capabilities to address the climate crisis. Stemming from President Price’s …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Food Waste to Energy: From Pilot Scale Biogas to Grid Tied CHP on a Campus Farm
- Dickinson College (PA)
The Dickinson College Farm is culminating a multi-year project to convert campus food waste to sustainable energy through a grid-connected biogas system. Biogas is a carbon neutral, renewable alternative to …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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USC’s Single-use Plastics Elimination – Beverage Bottles Policy
- University of Southern California (CA)
The University of Southern California (USC) established the Single-use Plastics Elimination – Beverage Bottles Policy in July 2022, prohibiting the purchase or use of single-use plastic beverage products across the …
- 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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Brandeis University’s Year of Climate Action
- Brandeis University (MA)
In 2019, a task force set out to write a new climate action plan for the university. Among its recommendations was to dedicate an entire year to catalyzing and deepening …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Addressing Climate Anxiety through Resilience and Community Building
- Portland Community College (OR)
Sustainability and climate work require resilience to fend off burnout and avoidance. While our college does good work promoting sustainability through our Climate Action Plan and curricular and co-curricular environmental …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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University of Cincinnati Utilities Water Reclamation Project
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
This is a water reclamation project from the on campus utility plant. Wastewater collection piping was installed running through the power plant, a catch basin for the collected water including …
- 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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Bottle Filling Stations at UCI 2023
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
UCI Facilities Management in collaboration with the Campus as a Living Lab class brought together interns to embark on the revitalization of the bottle filling stations program. The pandemic halted …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Equity and Justice Working Group- Tufts Eco Reps
- Tufts University (MA)
I implemented an Equity and Justice Working Group (EJWG) within the Tufts Eco Rep program Fall 2022 with the goal to integrate DEIJ principles into the core of the Eco …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Yale Undergrad Confronts the Emanating Climate Threat of Refrigerant Leaks through the Yale Refrigerants Initiative (YRI)
- Yale University (CT)
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many (if not all) universities’ sustainability offices had to reimagine what engaging with their communities looked like and how they’d meet campus sustainability …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Waste Management Education and Procedural Improvements at a Residential Dining Facility
- Wake Forest University (NC)
- Harvest Table Culinary Group (PA)
Sustainability features are only as effective as their operators. While the second largest dining facility at Wake Forest hosts several sustainability features, the compost program was lacking in strength due …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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