Washington University in St. Louis is fully committed to being a national leader in sustainability, a core priority that runs through all aspects of our community, our operations, and our work as a leading teaching and research institution. Explore how we are addressing climate change and environmental degradation.

What we’re doing

We’ve invested in significantly reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices on our campuses and beyond.

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What you can do

From joining an organization to changing everyday behaviors, you can join WashU in protecting environmental and public health.

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Share Our Stuff

Share Our Stuff is WashU’s annual move-out collections drive, this year from April 15 to May 20. This collaborative effort makes it easy for students to donate their unwanted items at move-out in a way that benefits our community and keeps usable goods out of the landfill.

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Green Office Program

The Green Office program has been developed as a framework and library of resources to support WashU’s offices, units, and departments in reducing the environmental impact of the university community’s daily work operations.

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Community Supported Agriculture

CSA programs provide a convenient and affordable way for community members to access fresh, healthy and seasonal food while supporting and connecting with local farmers. WashU’s CSA program is managed by HOSCO.

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News

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WashU Transportation Survey Opens

October 24, 2024
WashU Transportation Survey Opens
WashU requests your participation in an institution-wide transportation survey. Data gathered from this survey will provide campus planners key information about the transportation behaviors and preferences of the WashU community and will assist in identifying additional ways to support the different modes that students and employees take to get to and from campuses. The survey […]

The Hidden Costs of AI

October 10, 2024
The Hidden Costs of AI
Written by Office of Sustainability student associate, Meghan Jachna, Class of 2027. Generative AI (artificial intelligence) tools such as ChatGPT and other Large Language Models have had a significant impact in almost every facet of society, but in education and university settings especially, generative AI is transforming the way that students and professors conduct their […]

Focal Pointe awarded Local Sustainable Business Award

October 10, 2024
Focal Pointe awarded Local Sustainable Business Award
WashU’s Grounds Service contractor, Focal Pointe Outdoor Solutions, was awarded the Ralph Wafer Environmentally Sustainable Business Award at the Missouri Coalition for the Environment (MCE) luncheon in September.   This award honors business leaders and entrepreneurs whose innovation and dedication drive the economy towards environmental respect and inclusion. It is named for Ralph Wafer, a distinguished […]
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Want to exercise your artistic skills while soaking up the beauty of WashU’s beloved ginkgo allee? Join the WashU Arboretum and Sam Fox School’s MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture program on Thursday, November 7 at 4 pm. There will be some basic drawing materials available as well as warm cider. After the election, bring your *corrugated plastic* yard signs for special recycling collection to the 2nd level entrance of the parking garage at West Campus or the basement level (P2) Schnuck Pavilion entrance of the East End Garage. There are also limited drop-off hours at the Circularity Center on North Campus on 11/6 and 11/8. There are also a number of regional drop-off locations. Please note that these signs are not accepted in your home or university recycling bin. Visit the link in our bio for more information. 🚍🌱 Tell Us How You Get to and from Campus! 🌱🚲 Check out the Circularity Center’s Halloween sale the last two Fridays of October! Come shop for Halloween, or donate your old items. Please have your WashU ID ready to present at the door. In October's newsletter, read about the hidden costs of AI, WashU's landscapers, and lots of upcoming events including a career expo and Active Transportation Month (it's Mystery Shuttle Week!). All that and more at the link in our bio. Celebrate Active Transportation Month with WashU Parking & Transportation and Sustainability! Ride the WashU Shuttles this week and enter to win prizes up to $50 in value! Increase your chances of winning by riding these shuttles: The Delmar Loop Shuttle, The DeBaliviere Place Shuttle, and The South Campus Shuttle. As winners of this year’s College Transit Challenge, let’s take a look at some places that WashU students took transit! Join us Tuesday for a foraging tour of the Danforth Campus. Registration is required to attend, so please visit the link in our bio for more information and to sign up. This event is in partnership with Environmental Studies and the Center for the Environment. Congratulations, WashU! We are the winners of the 2024 College Transit Challenge! The challenge may be over, but you can keep exploring the many places you can get to via transit.