Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22. In honor of this milestone, we want to recognize and appreciate the work FOD does to support our resource stewardship initiatives on campus.
From caring for our buildings and grounds to supporting responsible resource use, our efforts are essential to strengthen Ohio State’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
This work is enhanced through strong collaborations across departments such as Student Life, Athletics, the Sustainability Institute, and other campus departments, further strengthening the work and creating a greater shared impact on campus.
National Sustainability Ranking
Ohio State ranked 28th nationally on The Princeton Review’s Top 50 Green Colleges. This marks the first time the University and Wexner Medical Center have achieved this distinction and represents the highest placement in the Big Ten, reinforcing our strong institutional momentum in sustainability excellence.
See additional awards and recognition here.
Tree Campus USA
Ohio State has been recognized for the 14th consecutive year as a Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Wexner Medical Center has also earned the Tree Campus Healthcare recognition, with the most recent award in 2025 for the fifth year in a row.
Anyone looking to get involved has an opportunity on Friday, April 24, at 10 a.m., when the Chadwick Arboretum and the Tree Advisory Committee hold the 2026 Arbor Day celebration.
University Hospital Sustainability Efforts
Built from the ground up with sustainability in mind, the new University Hospital shows how smart design and behind‑the‑scenes systems support more efficient, resilient care every day. Read more about our sustainability efforts here.
Ohio Stadium Zero Waste Program
The program achieved a 92.73% diversion rate, keeping more than 250,000 pounds of material out of the landfill this football season, continuing a pattern of diversion performance that consistently outpaces peer institutions, including Michigan. For the fourth year in a row, Ohio State has earned the Play to Zero Waste Champion Award from the Green Sports Alliance.
Student Engagement
Ohio State continues to serve as a living laboratory, where students gain hands-on experience advancing sustainability solutions. Explore the work and impact of our dedicated resource stewardship interns.
Ohio State Recycling Enhancement Project
Since receiving an Ohio EPA grant, FOD RRS has assisted with over 50 office cleanouts and successfully recycled over 7,000 pounds of end-of-life books and other recyclables. The team launched the university’s ninth compost drop-off site at Northwood-High Building.
If your team is planning spring cleaning in offices, labs, or storage spaces, please reach out to recycle@osu.edu for assistance with recycling and waste services. The RRS team can also help update waste signage and identify opportunities to improve waste operations in your space.
Get Involved
Get involved through the Green Buckeye Certification (GBC) program or the Green Team ERG, a group of Ohio State employees who are dedicated to improving environmental health in our communities through action and education.