In Our Nature

The Rabinovitch Lab was certified as a Gold Green Laboratory in October for their amazing green strategies. The Rabinovitch Lab focuses on pathology, and puts in great efforts to make sure their daily operations are sustainable.

Jeanne Fredrickson, laboratory manager of the Rabinovitch lab, is very enthusiastic and passionate about keeping her lab green. In 2008, when Jeanne first became lab manager, she had noticed the amount of Styrofoam her office was accumulating from different shipments and packages....

Christoph Strouse is working with our office helping with sustainability reporting and strategic planning. Christoph is studying Urban Planning and Public Policy to understand how cities can become innovative systems for transitioning toward a more equitable and sustainable society. He’s learning how campus sustainability master planning can be applied to district level community planning centered around public transportation and affordable housing. Professionally, his goal is to consult on sustainable international development, working at the intersection of the private sector, NGO’s,...

With the return of the Seattle grey, we're tempted to spend our time cozying up with a good book and a new Netflix show. And while that is a good option, this weather also provides the perfect opportunity to check out the sustainability events calendar! We've listed a few of the top options for this week below, and you can always check out our calendar for a comprehensive listing of events. You can even subscribe to get weekly emails to keep up to date on all the...

Guest post by Cailin Winston

Imagine living in a village where computer monitors and circuit boards line the streets, where the air creates a stinging sensation in your eyes and nose, where you dare not eat the rice that you grow because it is likely to be contaminated with heavy metals and toxins. This is Guiyu, China, one of the largest informal recycling operations for electronic waste in the world.

According to CNN, many tons of electronic waste - which includes...

Follow in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “the time is always right to do what is right”, and intentionally set aside next Monday to support your favorite organization and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.

The University of Washington is hosting a series of events through Jan. 18 to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy; honor the work of generations of everyday activists; and rededicate ourselves to creating a just and equitable future for all. Part of the celebration is the...

Winter quarter is underway, and the sustainability events calendar is full of lectures, student organization meetings, volunteer opportunities and more. We've listed a few of the top options this week below, and you can always check out our calendar for a comprehensive listing of events. You can even subscribe to get weekly emails letting you know about all the sustainability events happening around UW!

This week:

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In the dead heat of summer, Natalie Pearlman, a UW senior studying molecular biology, found herself standing along the Missouri River surrounded by buffalo and fireflies. She watched as the sun slowly dipped below the wildflowers and distant rolling hills, the deep pink sunburn and itchy bug bites that covered her body quickly fading from her mind. Sitting beside her were five other college students and two professors who were all from various universities across the U.S. Together, they were spending a week in the Midwest as part of the annual...

As the New Year approaches, there's a simple step UW employees can take to save time, energy and resources.

Opting to receive your tax forms digitally rather than on paper is more secure, and also means you can access them immediately when they are available. It also contributes to a more sustainable University of Washington. UW employees need to take action through Workday by Jan. 5, 2018 to go digital for the upcoming tax season.

Mailing tax forms requires more than 60,000 sheets of paper, along with about 49,000 envelopes (and nearly $24,000 worth of...

If you're scrambling for last-minute gift ideas, don't forget to think of the larger picture. Here are a few ways to shop sustainably this holiday season. 

1. Be mindful with your dollar: Put money back into your community by supporting local artists at holiday art fairs like the Holiday Craft & Gift Show at the Center for Urban Horticulture until Dec. 23 or at small local businesses, or find a favorite holiday piece on...

Guest post by Sustainability Game Jam organizer Lauren Kuehne.

Three math professors who always wanted to try building a game but never had the time. A graphic designer thinking about taking a digital game design program next year. A graduate student in statistics who is passionate about sustainable river management. These are just a few of the stories of the people who participated in the UW Sustainability Game Jam on Nov. 11-12. Their mission: to design a game that engaged a wider community on a topic or concept related to sustainability – all in one weekend.

The...