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.

Learn how we’re helping

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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SPARK

SPARK: Sustainability Leadership Training Program brings together environmentally-minded students to learn and network. It will take place August 16-24 and includes an overnight retreat, guest lectures, volunteer work, and day trips to local organizations.

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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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October is Active Transportation Month

September 10, 2024
October is Active Transportation Month
October is the first of two Active Transportation Months (ATM) at WashU hosted by Parking & Transportation, Office of Sustainability, and WUSM Operations & Facilities Management. The goal of ATM is to motivate staff, faculty and students to kick the car habit and try active, low-carbon means of transportation.  If you cannot imagine going car-free, […]

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 […]

The “Share Our Stuff” Cycle

September 12, 2024
The “Share Our Stuff” Cycle
For over a decade, April has started an annual cycle of circularity at WashU: students living on and off campus purge thousands of items – clothing, shoes, books, furniture, shower caddies, trash bins, and more – which are collected for redistribution and reuse through the Share Our Stuff program. To find the highest and best […]
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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. Sign up for the College Transit Challenge happening this Friday! 🚃🚇🚃🚇 We just dropped the first Sustainability newsletter of the school year! Featuring stories about the SPARK program, Share Our Stuff, supporting local organizations through food recovery, and (approximately) a million upcoming events! Go to the link in our bio to check it out. Looking for an internship? Plenty of Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change program positions are open! Swipe through and visit the link in our bio for more information about positions. Happy first day of classes, WashU! As your schedule starts to pick up and you need to take meals to go, remember that you can get your food in a convenient and sustainable reusable container!