Washington University in St. Louis is committed to reducing the impact it and others have on the environment through its operational and research initiatives. To become a truly sustainable community, WashU needs help from you — the students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners.

Sustainability Pledge

Energy

Food

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 96 billion pounds of food goes to waste every year in the United States. This requires energy to create wasted food, and it requires additional fossil fuels for transportation and disposal.

Water

When using the hot setting on the average washing machine, a single load of laundry uses the same amount of energy as driving a car 9 miles.

According to Water Use It Wisely, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can save up to 25 gallons of water each month. For more water-saving tips, visit wateruseitwisely.com.

Transportation

Waste

According to the Clean Air Council, Americans throw out enough forks, spoons, paper, and plastic cups each year to circle the equator 300 times.

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