UW Sustainability's blog

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.

UW Housing & Food Services, in partnership with Reuse Seattle, is evaluating options for expanding reusable products – including durable plastic cups – in several food service facilities to reduce waste at UW. They have a survey available to understand the UW community’s awareness of and attitudes toward reusables so that they can more effectively implement these services.

Students interested in learning more about the UW's Energy Transformation strategy to decarbonize the Seattle campus energy system are invited to attend Student Energy Transformation Task Force meetings every other month.

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.

Seattle Public Utilities is looking for ideas to reduce waste in our community. This contest is open to everyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Seattle, and prizes are available. The deadline to enter is November 14, 2023.

The Faculty Council on Campus Planning and Stewardship hosted this panel discussion on the UW’s efforts to decarbonize our operations and address climate change. The event was recorded on October 25, 2023.

Join Front and Centered, Latino Community Fund, People’s Economy Lab, and other organizations across Washington State in the Just Hack: A Just Transition Challenge, on November 17-18 in Seattle or Yakima Valley to co-create solutions to address social, environmental, and climate justice issues.

The Faculty Council on Campus Planning and Stewardship is hosting a panel discussion on the UW’s efforts to decarbonize our operations and address climate change. The discussion will touch on existing plans, prospects for envisioning and funding decarbonization efforts, and the potential for the UW to be a leader in climate change response.

Boe Zhou is the Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) Grant and Project Coordinator, working with students who have received CSF grants and those in the application process. Boe is pursuing a double degree in Computer Science and Environmental Studies at UW. He is enthusiastic about utilizing AI and data to create impartial and accessible solutions for environmental and societal challenges. Boe perceives CSF as the central hub for student engagement in all things sustainability, serving as the catalyst for building a resilient UW community.

BB Denton (they/them) is a senior at UW in the Jackson School pursuing a degree in International Studies, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies. This year they will be working as the Outreach and Events Intern with UW Sustainability. BB is especially interested in the intersections of sustainability with social justice and equity, and the role of community in sustainable development.