In Our Nature

You may have read about China’s changing views on recyclable plastic in the news recently. Are you and your colleagues confused about recycling and composting at the University of Washington? Have you heard rumors that it doesn’t really matter what you do — that it all ends up in the trash anyway? Or do you feel like your efforts as an individual won’t make a difference?

Yikes! Hold up!

The truth is the UW Recycling team — of Building Services Department — collects sorted recycling, compost and landfill materials...

I am excited to join UW Sustainability this year as the Green Certifications Program Coordinator. Currently, I am a junior in the University of Washington’s Environmental Studies major, as well as the Fundraising and Business Coordinator for EcoReps and a member of the Campus Sustainability Fund Committee. My interest in sustainability is rooted in my experience with waste – both at the family dinner table and through my work with my high school’s composting program – but has since grown beyond that to include the social and economic aspects of sustainability. My other interests include...

Hello! My name is Christina, and I am the new UW Sustainability Projects Assistant. I'll be going into my sophomore year at UW this fall, and I am pursuing a double-degree in Environmental Studies and Environmental Science & Terrestrial Resource Management. I'm also the Membership & Service-Learning Coordinator for EcoReps, so I can answer any EcoReps related questions! I enjoy hiking, photography, and taking care of plants. My passion for environmental sustainability stems from my family’s annual camping trips to national parks that have...

Guest post from UW student Kartik Arora

Trash-It is an app to that uses machine learning to classify if an item goes in the compost, recycle, or landfill. Much of the trash humans currently produce is being thrown into landfills, including many items that could be recyclable or compostable. One way we can cut down on waste in our region is to make sure we properly sort our trash. When people aren't sure which trash can their waste goes into, they often choose the safest option which is landfill. This is the issue my app was made to tackle.

Being an international...

This Earth Day, one green-minded club geared up for a big weekend of recycling clothes. For the first time ever, UW EcoReps partnered with Crossroads Trading Company for a fundraiser honoring Earth Day. Members of the local community were encouraged to stop by Crossroads' University Way and NE 43rd St location. If they sold an article of clothing and mentioned EcoReps, $5 was donated to the club's charity of choice.

Staying in line with their mission to "work with peers, faculty, and staff to make the University of Washington a more...

Sustainability in the arts, greening health sciences, and certifications for student groups. Selling succulents for sustainability, greening the Greek community, and leading local markets. The students of UW EcoReps work on sustainability initiatives that have an impact on many different aspects of the University of Washington.

This year, the EcoReps student group was recognized for its hard work promoting sustainability on and off campus with a Husky Green Award. These prizes are awarded to members of the UW community who act as positive change makers by...

The latest episode of the "In Our Nature" podcast features Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) coordinator Kyle McDermott. The CSF provides grants to student-driven sustainability projects at UW, and has granted more than $2.2 million to over 100 projects since it started in 2010.

On this podcast episode, Kyle talks about some of the projects around campus that were funded by the CSF, how students can make their own idea a reality by using CSF grants, and other ways for students to get involved.

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The University of Washington Department of Athletics was one of two university winners of the 2018 Environmental Innovators of the Year awards by the Green Sports Alliance. 

UW earned the distinction for the Husky Athletics Green Team's efforts to work with students and encourage fans at football games and other events to increase waste diversion. The Green Team hosted a "green game" during the season for each UW-sponsored...

The Society for Ecological Restoration-UW Chapter (SER-UW) native plant nursery is seeking student interns for the summer quarter. Interns are expected to devote an average of 9 hours a week to nursery projects. In conjunction with the manager, interns will develop learning objectives based on individual interests and strengths, receiving credit for ESRM 399 or their school’s equivalent. The interns' time will be split between routine plant maintenance, integrated pest management, nursery infrastructure projects, helping...

It’s Sunday afternoon, and you’re stuck next to the spinach bags in the produce aisle at the grocery store. You can’t move, and you realize: you aren’t the only UW student meal prepping on a sunday night. You resolve to discover new ways of acquiring your bananas and spinach, but luckily for you, we’ve already done the work for you!

Listed alphabetically in no order of preference, we’ve compiled a catalog of various resources including CSA boxes, home-delivered ‘ugly’ produce packages, and campus store resources! Please email us at ...