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Sustainability Awards

Ohio State is a recognized leader in evolving a culture of sustainability through collaborative teaching, pioneering research, comprehensive outreach, and innovative practices and policies. The university’s commitment to operational excellence, resource stewardship and leadership among peers has received awards and recognition from local and national organizations.

STARS award symbol

STARS

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System

Gold Award

Princeton Review Top 50 2026

The Princeton Review

Ohio State ranked 28th on the Princeton Review’s list of Top 50 Green Colleges

Campus Race to Zero Waste 2025 logo

Campus Race to Zero Waste

Awarded in 2025

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Encouraging Environmental Excellence Award

Received Platinum Achievement Award in 2024

Campus Race to Zero Waste Football Logo

Campus Race to Zero Waste – Game Day Zero Waste Touchdown Challenge

Awarded in 2024

Campus Race to Zero Waste Basketball

Campus Race to Zero Waste - Game Day Basketball Diversion

Awarded in 2023

SWANA Ohio Buckeye Chapter

Solid Waste Association of North America Buckeye Chapter Michael D. Long Solid Waste Operator of the Year

Awarded in 2023

Green Sports Alliance logo

Green Sports Alliance

Waste Champion

Awarded to Ohio State Athletics since 2023

National Recycling Coalition Logo

National Recycling Coalition Award

Awarded in 2022

Practice Greenhealth Circles of Excellence Award Logo

Practice Greenhealth

Sustainable Procurement

Awarded to The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center

2025 Practice Greenhealth Emerald Award

Practice Greenhealth

Awarded to The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center since 2019 in various categories. 

Tree Campus Healthcare Logo

Tree Campus Healthcare

Recognized Campus since 2020

Tree Campus Higher Education Logo

Tree Campus Higher Education

Recognized Campus since 2012

League of American Bicyclists Logo

Bicycle Friendly University

Member Since 2011

Silver Award

News

  • The Ohio State University Earns 2025 Tree Campus Recognition from Arbor Day Foundation

    bartholomew.185@osu.edu | February 10, 2026
    The Arbor Day Foundation recognized The Ohio State University as a 2025 Tree Campus for its dedication to enhancing community well-being through tree education, investment and community engagement. “Being recognized as a Tree Campus reflects the long-term care and intention we put into our landscapes, said Stephen Schneider, landscape services planner for Facilities Operations and Developmen...
    Tree Campus Arbor Day Foundation Logo

  • Scarlet, Gray, and Green: Ohio State’s Race to Zero Waste Is On

    bartholomew.185@osu.edu | February 4, 2026
    The Campus Race to Zero Waste is underway, and Ohio State is once again stepping up to compete with colleges and universities across the country. Over the next eight weeks, Buckeyes will work together to increase our landfill diversion rate and prove that sustainability is a team sport.This competition isn’t just about numbers. It’s about everyday actions adding up to real impact. Whether you’re ...
    Campus Race to Zero Waste 2026 logo

  • Ohio State ranked 28th on the Princeton Review’s list of Top 50 Green Colleges

    rahe.21@osu.edu | October 30, 2025
    Ohio State has been ranked 28th on the Princeton Review’s list of Top 50 Green Colleges. This is the first time Ohio State has been recognized for this distinction and is the highest ranked school in the Big Ten.More than 25 survey data points were analyzed to tally Green Rating scores. The rating was developed to provide a measure of a school's performance as an environmentally aware and p...
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