Sustainability at KU
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is generally defined as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." It involves making decisions that preserve the values of environmental, economic, and social responsibility. Here at KU, the Center for Sustainability is working to integrate these principles into operations, education, research, and student life.
Students have long played a leading role in sustainability initiatives at the University of Kansas. Through the establishment and continued backing of the Campus Environmental Improvement Fee, students help support recycling services throughout campus and contribute to renewable energy and sustainability projects. Student leadership also led to the establishment of the Center for Sustainability, the design and creation of the KU Student Rain Garden at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center, and numerous other student initiatives that are making a lasting impact on our campus.
What Can You Do?
Learn about sustainability
Get involved
Get on the bus (or your bike)
Reduce, Reuse...
...Recycle
Conserve energy
Get green power
Eat green
Live green!
Learn about sustainabilityWhile KU does not offer a degree program in sustainability, courses in several campus departments address issues of sustainability.
- The Environmental Studies Program provides a holistic, interdisciplinary view of the environment and prepares students for environmental careers. Learn more at www.ku.edu/~kuesp.
- A listing of courses with sustainability content offered across campus is available on the Center for Sustainability website.
Get involved
Getting involved on campus and in the community is one way to get hands-on experience creating a greener community.
- Join one of the many student organization that focus on issues of sustainability ranging from general environmental interests to specific social causes. Check out the list of organizations on our website for examples, or the Student Involvement and Leadership Center for a broader listing of student organizations.
- Lawrence also has a number of community and regional organizations working to shape a more sustainable future. Find examples in our green guide
- Work directly with the Center for Sustainability by contacting them at sustainability@ku.edu.
- Join the campus conversation on the Center for Sustainability blog, crimson.blue.green.
Get on the bus (or your bike)
Using alternative transportation can also help minimize your impact. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves you money, and can even help you stay in shape!
- Walk or bike: The KU campus is pedestrian-friendly, and Lawrence is easily accessible by bike. Look for the "Share the Road" signs marking over 60 miles of bike routes throughout town. Outdoor Pursuits at the Ambler Student Recreation & Fitness Center even has a self-service bicycle repair shop to help keep your bike maintained. Find out more at www.recreation.ku.edu.
- Ride the bus: The KU and City of Lawrence transit systems will get you just about anywhere you need to go in town and the K-10 Connector runs between the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park and the KU Lawrence Campus, with stops at Johnson County Community College and Haskell University. Visit KU on Wheels to catch your next ride.
- If these options don't work, you can carpool with classmates or make new friends through the Carpool Connection.
Reduce, Reuse...
One of the simplest steps towards a more sustainable future starts with conserving resources. Whether cutting back on the amount of paper you use or finding new uses for not-so-new items, the little things you do can make a big difference.
- Cut your paper use on campus by keeping files digital whenever possible. Check out tips for reducing paper waste on the Environmental Stewardship Program website when you do have to print. Free wireless internet is available in many buildings on campus, so consider purchasing a laptop computer to bring to campus.
- Look for used textbooks, share books with a friend, and check the local libraries to see if they carry a copy of assigned reading. Be sure to check to see if your professor has posted course reading material on Blackboard before printing a copy.
- Carry a reusable mug when you come to campus to reduce the need for disposable cups. Since discounts are offered for refills, you'll save money in the process.
- Bring a reusable water bottle, too. If you buy bottled water 5 times a week for a year, you could spend up to $250. You could spend about $10 on a bottle instead, and get the water for free.
- Before making purchases, think about whether you really need those items in the first place. Then check local thrift shops, used clothing & furniture stores, and online resources like www.freecycle.org and www.craigslist.org for gently used items.
- Coordinate with your roommates on which items you'll each contribute before moving in to your new place to avoid duplicating the expense. When you're ready to move on, donate what you don't need to local charitable organizations.
- When buying new, look for items that contain a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content or sustainable materials and are recyclable or reusable.
...Recycle
Recycling reduces energy and water use and cuts water and air pollution when compared to manufacturing new products. It keeps our resources out of the landfill and creates new jobs to create new products that you use every day.
- The Environmental Stewardship Program provides recycling services to most academic, administrative, and residential buildings on campus. Visit KU Recycling for a list of recycling locations in the campus buildings you frequent. See their sorting guide for details on what you can recycle at KU.
- If you are not living on campus, you can still recycle at drop-off locations throughout Lawrence or hire a curbside collection service. Visit the City Waste Reduction and Recycling website for details.
Conserve energy
KU and the Lawrence Community are working to reduce energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions through conservation and efficiency.
- Take advantage of natural lighting when possible, and shut off lights when you're the last one out of the room.
- Power down computers and other electronics when not in use. If you are buying new equipment, look for the "ENERGY STAR" logo, indicating that the product has met stringent efficiency standards.
- Get additional tips and information on the KU Energy Conservation website.
Get green powerStarting in 2009, a portion of the Campus Environmental Improvement Fee went to purchasing wind energy for campus. After cutting your energy use, consider buying renewable energy or offsetting your use while at KU.
- Westar Energy, our local electricity provider, has a Renewable Energy Program that allows you to purchase wind-generated electricity.
- You can also purchase "green tags" that are generated locally with low-impact hydropower from the Bowersock Mill and Power Company. Other forms of offsets are available through a variety of national programs.
Eat green Food takes energy to produce and transport long distances and may be grown with fertilizers and pesticides that can contaminate water and soil. Eating green means being aware of how your food is grown and where it comes from.
- KU Dining Services offers a variety of organic and all-natural items and is working to bring more local products to dining locations. Visit the Dining Services website for more about their sustainability initiatives.
- Visit the Lawrence Farmer's Market for locally produced (and often organic) items.
- Many Lawrence restaurants and grocery stores also offer local and organic food.
Live green!
For additional resources on minimizing your impact, check out our "Living Green in Lawrence" guide.
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