Tagged: Sustainability

The Ohio State University Columbus campus joined 2.7 million students, faculty and staff across the country in the 2024 Campus Race to Zero Waste competition. Over 30.7 million pounds of waste in total was donated, composed and recycled while 105 million single-use plastics were kept out of the landfill. That’s enough to prevent the release of 23,174 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equal to avoiding the annual emissions from 5,515 cars!

The Ohio State University was honored with the 2023 Tree Campus Higher Education recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. 

Monday, April 22 is Earth Day, a nationally recognized day set to inspire appreciation for the environment. The Green Team Employee Resource Group (ERG) is hosting virtual and in-person events to honor Earth Day. The Green Team ERG is a group of Ohio State employees who are dedicated to improving environmental health in our communities through action and education on why it’s important to work together to make change. Celebrate Earth Day by participating in activities throughout the month of April! 

Implement best sustainability practices in your campus office or laboratory and become Green Buckeye certified. Complete an online survey to let us know what you are doing to reduce your carbon footprint and minimize waste. Learn about tips to make your space more sustainable and get recognized for your commitment.

Learn more and submit the online survey.

As highlighted by Ohio State News, Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) interns Reva Baste-Bania, Lexi Capka, Logan Gould, Maya Hammond, Mackenzie Hebert and Karissa Mitchell are not only helping the university reduce waste and increase operational efficiency, they're learning skills that have helped them in their coursework and are preparing them to enter the workforce. 

Campus Race to Zero Waste has officially started! For the next eight weeks, Ohio State will be competing against other universities across the county to determine who has the highest landfill diversion rate! Students, faculty, and staff are asked to participate by recycling more, recycling right, and composting.

As highlighted by Columbus Monthly, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center continues to be a leader in utilizing more sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact of the hospital system.

“Some changes have been obvious,” said Lauren Koch, Wexner Medical Center sustainability program manager.  “One has been switching out old-style lightbulbs to LED bulbs that save energy and reduce maintenance because they can last a decade or more.”

The holidays are a great time to celebrate responsibly through small, but meaningful steps to reduce waste.

The Ohio State University has earned a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Gold rating. With more than 900 participants across 40 countries, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS program publicly reports comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance.  

Don’t let your pumpkins haunt the landfill. Green your Halloween and return nutrients to the soil by composting them!