Office of Sustainability
Building a Sustainable Campus and a Greener Future.
![sustainability badges - empower, action, and sustain](https://sustainability.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2041/2023/10/Sustainability-badges-400x294.png)
![students plant a cherry tree together in the Storrs campus, Arbor Day 2021](https://sustainability.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2041/2021/12/arbor-day-2-1200x1027.jpg)
UConn Office of Sustainability
The UConn Office of Sustainability leads the way for campus sustainability efforts. We provide guidelines, direction and support for sustainability in all sectors, from infrastructure to student outreach, and create programs that enhance engagement and awareness around sustainable practices and behaviors at UConn and in the community.
Performance Dashboard
Sustainability Guiding Documents
- 2020 Vision Plan for Campus Sustainability and Climate Leadership
- Sustainability Framework Plan
- 2019-2021 Sustainability Progress Report
- President's Working Group on Sustainability and the Environment Report: Transforming UConn to a Zero Carbon Campus: A Path Forward
- Active Transportation Plan
- UConn Aims to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030
Sustainability News
News from the Office of Sustainability
EcoCaptain Interns (EIs) serve as paid sustainability champions and ambassadors for the Office of Sustainability. In collaboration with ResLife, this programs allows for EcoCaptains to lead sustainability related programming and educational activities in their residence halls. Keep an eye out for communications from your Residence Hall’s EcoCaptain Intern for more ways to get involved and learn about UConn’s sustainability initiatives! Below are some of responsibilities of an EcoCaptain Intern (EI):
Must be a UConn student living in an on campus residential hall. NEW! For Fall 2024/Spring 2025 we are also hiring at: The Oaks, Celeron and Carriage House
Work 5 hours per week ($15.69/hr to start)
Attend monthly EI meetings
Provide weekly updates to OS Staff and Interns
Participate in EI training and group activities
Participate and encourage student participation in Office of Sustainability led events and programming such as EcoMadness, RecycleThon, Green Game Days, and Hillside Environmental Education Park (HEEP) trail events
Distribute Recycling Bags and Sustainability Activity books to residents
Lead sustainability education and engagement activities in residence halls beyond those initiated by the OS, examples include:
Weekly recycling audits and scoring
Monthly hall meetings about different topics related to sustainability
Environmental film screenings or movie nights, discussion forums, guest speakers
EI “office hours” where people can ask questions about sustainability or give suggestions
Educational flyers, social media, etc.
Weekly tips for living more sustainably
Volunteer clean-up events
Week-long or one-day events or activities, such as a “power-down” day or other fun competitions
Apply online via UConn JobX! Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are reviewed on a rolling basis. Hiring decisions will begin August 1.
Contact sustainability@uconn.edu for more information.
UConn community diverts over 8,000 pounds of donations to local aid organizations during move out.
You never think you have too much stuff until it’s time to move. Thousands of UConn students faced that same problem while moving out of residence halls this May.
Luckily Give and Go was there to help!
Give and Go is a program that allows students to donate gently used goods at drop off points throughout campus, which are then sorted and given to community organizations that help those in need. It diverts waste from incineration, provides an easy way for students to donate items, and supports the lives of fellow residents.
What: Earth Day Spring Fling is an annual celebration of sustainability hosted by the UConn Office of Sustainability and UConn Dining Services. Established in 2008, the festival features 30+ environmental vendors and organizations to produce the greatest day of environmental awareness all year! Hop on our party peddler bike for a tour of UConn's most sustainable campus features or check out our environmental art show! Coinciding with the event is UConn's annual Arbor Day celebration and ceremonial Class Tree planting. Write intentions for your future at UConn and plant them with the Class of 2027 tree!
![Graphic showing the schedule for Earth Day Spring Fling 2024. From 11am to 2pm dining services and the office of sustainability will be hosting an zero waste barbeque on fairfield way. During the same time frame, the party peddler sustainability bike tour will be running and environmental vendors will be tabling along fairfield way. There will also be an environmental art show on fairfield way. From 12 to 1 pm on the Founders green, there will be goat yoga. Finally, from 1 to 2 pm on the Student Union Lawn, the annual class tree planting will be taking place.](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53658588150_7786e8b07d_o.jpg)
When: Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 from 11am to 2pm (The rain date is set for April 22nd)
Where: Fairfield Way! The BBQ, vendors, bike tour, and art show will all be located along Fairfield Way. Outdoor yoga will take place on the Founders Green and the class tree planting will be on the Student Union Lawn.
Who: There will be many unique, sustainability-minded vendors attending EDSF! The event is open to everyone – we encourage you to come out and celebrate the Earth with the OS and Dining Services!
Some of the highlights include:
- Environmental education opportunities
- Local conservation non-profits
- Hydrogen technologies
- Sustainable vendors
- Giveaways
- And more!
What: An interdisciplinary panel of experts, designed to inform students on the ways in which their desired career path can intersect with sustainability and the environment. A green career does not have to be one solely in the environmental field! Green careers are found in business, art, science, education, government, and more. The GCP will help you as a student find a career that connects your unique talents and interests with sustainability. This is also an Honors event! (Categories: Social Change, Service, & Sustainability; Career, Professional, & Personal Development- #UHLevent10700)
When: Thursday, February 29th, 5:30 to 7:30 pm (Check out the Eco-Involvement Fair from 4:30 to 5:30 in the Atrium before the panel!)
Where: BPB (Bio Physics Building), room 130
91 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs CT 06269
Who: Students of any and all majors are encouraged to attend. Green careers are not limited to environmental majors! We want to show you all how your majors can be related to a green career.
Why: The Earth is facing an imminent crisis: climate change. We will need all hands on deck to make progress in our goals as a global community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save our planet. We at the OS want to show YOU, all the students here at UConn, that ‘green’ does not have to mean strictly environmental science. Our panelists include engineers, businesspeople, and more – sustainability initiatives can be incorporated into any job! There is a place for all of you in the fight for sustainability and environmental justice; you all have a role to play, big or small.
Eco-Involvement Fair (4:30-5:30 pm in the BPB Atrium): Join us before the GCP for a meet and greet among environmental clubs on campus. Learn more about what students like you are working towards on campus and find out how you can get involved with the many environmentally-minded student orgs!
RSVP HERE
Donate to the UConn Office of Sustainability
Give support to programs and initiatives that contributing to UConn’s international reputation as a leader in university sustainability.