Discover what Washington University is doing to improve sustainability on campus, in St. Louis, and internationally.

New Electric Vehicles Zip around Medical Campus

New Electric Vehicles Zip around Medical Campus
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly more common on the road. You can now even find them on the School of Medicine campus! In 2022, the School of Medicine has taken big steps in transitioning to a more fuel-efficient fleet. Two Ford E-transits, which are fully electric vehicles, were added to the Operations and Facilities […]

Learning and Applying Grassroots Organizing Skills

Learning and Applying Grassroots Organizing Skills
Since Spring 2019, Environmental Studies’ Impact Internship program has been partnering with Missouri Sierra Club to provide meaningful opportunities and skills for WashU students to help address real environmental issues in Missouri. One of the Spring 2022 Impact Interns with Missouri Sierra Club, Brooke Bergman, shares her experience as a Grassroots Organizing Intern below.  I […]

Move-out Collections Promote Circularity at WashU 

Move-out Collections Promote Circularity at WashU 
Written by Office of Sustainability Student Associate, Anna Haudrich, Class of 2023. This past month, hordes of WashU students excitedly gathered in the Share Our Stuff (SOS) warehouse for a sustainable shopping spree. While the temperatures were high, the affordable furniture and other items seemed to be selling just as hot.   As many students […]

WashU Branded SWAG Exchange

WashU Branded SWAG Exchange
WashU departments and student groups are encouraged to share surplus WashU-branded giveaways (“SWAG”). Events and outreach campaigns often end up with extra stuff – sometimes boxes and sometimes just a handful. No one likes to throw away brand new items, so these are often stuffed into closets to gather dust. Circulate your extra SWAG to […]

Groundbreaking Commencement Showcases St. Louis & Sustainability

Groundbreaking Commencement Showcases St. Louis & Sustainability
There was nothing but smiles on the morning of May 20, 2022: graduates posed for photos in front of the giant “2022” blocks, families clutched floral bouquets for their graduates, and a man in a bowler hat walked around campus on stilts. Yes, stilts! We’ll get to that in a moment.  Washington University in St. […]

Invasive Honeysuckle: Not so Sweet

Invasive Honeysuckle: Not so Sweet
This article was written by Jarea Fang, a Communications & Marketing intern at OOS. Along with several other students and staff, they participated in the ESCC Internship’s Spring 2022 volunteering activity, a honeysuckle removal event at Tyson Research Center.   Bush honeysuckle, also known as Amur honeysuckle, is one of the most destructive invasive species in […]

WashUReuse Surplus Property Program

WashUReuse Surplus Property Program
Does your office, lab, or dorm room have a stockpile of items that are still functional but you no longer want or need? If so, sounds like you could use WashUReuse. Washington University in St. Louis has signed up for an exciting software platform through Rheaply AxM that facilitates the internal recirculation of unneeded furniture, […]

Student Leadership Opportunities

Student Leadership Opportunities
For the upcoming summer and Fall semester, there are a number of opportunities for students to engage in sustainability leadership events and programming. We have compiled some of these opportunities below. Apply to the SPARK student leadership program SPARK: Sustainability Leadership Training Program is a program hosted by the Office of Sustainability. The second cohort will […]

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
April and May are always busy times at the Office of Sustainability. Its also a great time for folks to get involved to help support outreach events and “green event” operations. Take a look at the opportunities below and sign up to offer your support. St. Louis Earth Day Festival, April 23-24, 11a – 5p […]

Lights Out Pledge Protects Migrating Birds

Lights Out Pledge Protects Migrating Birds
Each year, billions of birds pass through the United States on their way to seasonal destinations. And each year, these birds are among the 600,000 birds that die after colliding with buildings. Cities like St. Louis pose a disproportionate risk to birds, as the geography, developmental spread and glow of night time lights converge to […]

Landscape Solutions Transform Problem Area on S40

Landscape Solutions Transform Problem Area on S40
Students making the journey to pick up packages from the Hitzeman Hall mailroom on the S40 may have noticed some subtle changes as they cut across the newly-laid flagstone. The campus grounds team has transformed the space over a two-phase project. Unlike the quick visual impact of a new building, new landscape takes a bit […]

Green Dining Celebrates Community

Green Dining Celebrates Community
Written by Office of Sustainability Student Associate, Jarea Fang, Class of 2022  As the daffodils, cherry blossoms, and tulips start to bloom on the Danforth campus, the WashU community is once again reminded of our world’s beauty. WashU’s Earth Week has already passed, but campus is still buzzing with activity as students and staff alike […]