Sustainability coordinator
Student groups
Environmental committee
Environmental/sustainability policies
Competitions and incentives
Public relations/outreach (Sustainability fairs, eco-reps, imprinting, presentations and panels)
Educational campaigns (signage, waste audits, events)

Sustainability Coordinator

The position of sustainability coordinator or manager is becoming more common on college campuses. A sustainability coordinator serves as the go-to person for sustainability issues while overseeing sustainability initiatives on campus. This person might report to a facilities manager, the provost, the vice president of finance, environmental health and safety office, or an academic center or department. Funding for this position can come from the institution’s general fund, external grants, alumni donations, or student fees.

Resources
A practical guide to hiring a sustainability professional for universities and colleges
Source: AASHE

Student groups

Students can have a tremendous influence at universities to pursuade administrators and their peers to make the campus more sustainable. Universities with the strongest campus sustainability initiatives usually have student groups behind the scenes that are constantly pushing their home institution to do more. The projects that student groups can work on are endless; everything from making recycled notebooks to advocating that their president sign the President’s Climate Commitment.

Don’t know where to start? Try browsing through this document and picking a few doable projects. Breaking a bigger group up into committees is often helpful to get more people involved and to further their reach.

Environmental committee

The purpose of an environmental committee is to oversee the implementation of environmental and sustainability initiatives. The committee should include members from many different areas of campus, including faculty, students, sustainability coordinator, provost, vice president of finance, facilities, development, and the local community.
Local examples: Mount Union, Oberlin College

Environmental/sustainability policies

An environmental policy provides the formal recognition of sustainability as a campus priority. The policy should include education (both in and out of the classroom for students, faculty, and staff), transportation, recycling, waste reduction, electricity and water conservation, building practices, purchasing, food, grounds, and how the policy will be monitored and implemented. To see a ton of current environmental policies, check out AASHE’s list.

Competitions and incentives

People respond to incentives. No new news there! But incentives can promote sustainability on campus in a variety of ways. Give prizes for people that come up with great ideas or that inspire others to live green. Contests to reduce energy use or for recycling are great ways to get people to be more conscious of their impact.
Recycle Mania
Oberlin’s Dorm Energy Competition
AASHE’s list of competitions

PR/outreach

Sustainability fair

With so many initiatives on campus, it can be hard to keep track and offer them visibility. Have a fair with a table for each initiative and student group. This is a great time to network and signup volunteers. Oh yeah, food helps too!

Eco-reps

Many students want to reduce their ecological footprint, but run into questions in the process. Which plastics can be recycled? Where can I compost on campus? Establishing student eco-reps in every dorm or every cluster of dorms can provide students with a point-person to whom questions can be directed. Check out AASHE’s list of peer-to-peer sustainability outreach programs.

Imprinting

New faculty, staff, and students should be informed of the institution’s environmental policies soon after becoming a member of campus. This could be done with a booklet guide or an e-mail blast with an outline of useful information and resources.

Campus sustainability presentation or panel

A campus sustainability presentation or panel is a great way to let new and returning students know what options are available to get involved in sustainability on campus. This is also a great time to explain the history of campus sustainability at your home institution and lay out goals for the coming academic year.

Educational campaigns

Signage

This basic tool can work wonders to educate a wide range of audiences. Signs next to recycling bins, sink faucets, or bathroom stalls will reach everyone in the building.

Waste audits

A waste audit is a sampling of waste baskets around the school to see what is being thrown away. What percent (by weight or volume) is recyclable? After completing a waste audit, an environmental committee or a student group or class can brainstorm ways to reduce waste. Don’t keep the results to yourself! Small information sheets can be taped up near trash cans explaining the results from a waste audit. For more info see, Conducting a waste audit.

Orientation, commencement, other events

Another major part of creating a sustainable campus is greening campus-wide events. Events like orientation and commencement also have the benefit of reaching parents. Composting at catered dinners, event programs printed on recycled paper, sustainability panels, eco-film screenings, and no bottled water are all options to consider. Check out Oberlin’s green commencement/reunion weekend.