In Our Nature

The University of Washington has released a new Greenhouse Gas Inventory, capturing the full scope of the University’s emissions for the first time.

This marks the UW’s first comprehensive inventory of its direct emissions since 2005 and the first time ever the University has quantified the emissions connected to our purchased goods and services. The report provides a new understanding of the full picture of the UW’s emissions, and will inform the University’s actions as it works toward emission reduction...

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are known for our rainy weather, so it can feel like we have an unlimited supply of water year round. However, even our local water supply is under pressure from climate change - in the warmer months we rely on a strong snowpack to keep reservoirs full, and that snowpack will reduce as weather warms. To ensure that our water is being protected, we must use it consciously now.  

In the United States alone, the average household uses more than 300 gallons of water per day! By using water...

Have you ever wondered how you can live sustainably to help our global environment flourish? Well look no further! UW Sustainability, with the help of our mascot Sqwatch, will be sharing some tips and tricks on how to reduce your daily environmental impact regularly here on our blog. 

As a sasquatch, it’s important for Sqwatch to take steps to protect the environment that houses and nourishes him. He is excited to share with the UW community the steps that he takes to reduce his impact. If even a bigfoot like Sqwatch can have a small environmental footprint,...

The Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA), a statewide nonprofit committed to promoting and advancing waste reduction practices and policies in the Northwest and beyond, is now accepting applications for a scholarship to attend its annual conference. The conference will be May 14-17, 2024, in Vancouver, Wash.

The scholarship covers the cost of hotel accommodations during the conference, educational sessions and networking opportunities, connection with a professional in the industry, and WSRA membership dues for the remainder of 2024. Assistance with transportation to the...

UW Recycling is now accepting entries for the 2024 Trash Art Contest! Participants must create an art piece from items normally thought of as waste or a literary piece about waste.

Categories include: 2D art, 3D art, Textile art and Literature. This contest is open to all UW students, faculty and staff. Submissions are due March 22, 2024 at 4 p.m. PST. Winners for each category will receive $100 or $50 gift cards to a low waste store.

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Campus Race to Zero Waste (CRZW) starts this week at the University of Washington! The UW will participate in the friendly recycling and waste reduction competition between colleges and universities for the twelfth year. As part of CRZW, UW Recycling is organizing activities to focus on good waste sorting practices. Here are some ways you can get involved.

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The 2024 Washington & Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHESC) will feature a Makers Market for the first time. 

The Market will be Tuesday, March 5 from 1 - 6:30 p.m. during the conference held at Western Washington University in Bellingham. Artists and crafters of all types focused on sustainability are welcome. As part of the market, makers are welcome to sell products and wares. (Please note: All payment processing is the sole responsibility of participating makers).

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This last year has been one of hard work! We rolled up our sleeves to kick off multiple university-wide projects, all of which are foundational for the UW to make progress on our sustainability goals.

Over the past several months, we’ve been working with a consultant team to conduct a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for the UW. This is the university’s first comprehensive GHG inventory since 2005, and is the first time that UW has ever included emissions associated with the goods and services the university purchases. We expect to release the full inventory and...

The University of Washington was recognized among the national leaders in higher education sustainability by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

AASHE’s 2023 Sustainable Campus Index recognizes the UW’s Seattle campus as a top performer in Purchasing (No. 2 overall) and Transportation (No. 9). UW Bothell shared the top overall spot for Grounds with Cascadia College (the two schools share the Bothell campus), and was tied for No. 2 overall in the Water category....

At the recent UW Decarbonization Town Hall, one of the major questions posed from the audience was, "How can I get involved and help decarbonize our campuses?"

There are many different ways students, staff and faculty can get involved at the UW. We've put together just a few here. You can also email sustainability@uw.edu with questions or for information on other options.

Students

The most direct way to get involved with the UW's work is to join the...