Frequently Asked Questions
How has Arizona State University committed to sustainability?
What is ASU doing to improve sustainability in its food services?
What is ASU doing to improve sustainability in its facilities and operations?
What is the Global Institute of Sustainability?
The Global Institute of Sustainability is the hub of ASU’s sustainability initiatives. The Institute advances research, education, and business practices for an urbanizing world. Its School of Sustainability, the first of its kind in the U.S., offers transdisciplinary degree programs that advance practical solutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges. Download the prospectus.
Do you offer degrees in sustainability?
ASU's School of Sustainability, established in 2007 as part of the Global Institute of Sustainability, is the first degree-granting sustainability school in the nation. Students can pursue a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in sustainability and may integrate their master's degree with Peace Corps service overseas. A minor in sustainability and concentrations in sustainability are also available to undergraduate students across the university. Read about the School of Sustainability.
How has Arizona State University committed to sustainability?
ASU has made an institutional commitment to lead by example through the sustainable operations of its campuses. By demonstrating exemplary practices and sharing solutions, ASU stimulates changes in individual, institutional, and corporate behaviors to create a more sustainable world. ASU launched its sustainable operations plan with the signing of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. Four critical pillars focus the university's effort: carbon neutrality, zero water/solid waste, active engagement, and principled practice. Read about ASU's carbon neutrality action plan.
What is ASU doing to expand its renewable energy sources?
ASU is committed to expanding solar installations across all four campuses to a total of 10 MW by the end of 2010, and 20 MW by 2020. Six wind turbines are installed on the roof of the Global Institute of Sustainability building to provide an additional source of renewable energy. Read ASU's plans for campus solarization.
What is ASU doing to conserve energy?
ASU is making utilities infrastructure upgrades on the Tempe campus to reduce electrical and natural gas consumption and use of chilled water for cooling. Tempe campus classrooms and offices are heated to no higher than 68° F, and cooled to no lower than 80° F to reduce the amount of energy used for space conditioning. In addition, ASU is committed to reducing wasted power from computers by utilizing power management functions and purchasing energy efficient computers. Read about ASU's energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades.
What is ASU doing to conserve water?
ASU has reduced water consumption in many buildings around campus through the installation of low-flow water fixtures such as sinks, showers, toilets, and in some buildings, waterless urinals. About two-thirds of campus landscaping is watered at night to prevent evaporation. An initiative is also underway to automate the remaining watering systems so that the different plants on campus receive water based on both current weather conditions and a given plant´s evapotranspiration rate. Existing flood irrigation infrastructure has been preserved for future use with a gray water system when practicable. Read about ASU's water conserving measures.
What is ASU doing to reduce waste and improve recycling?
ASU offers an intra-campus exchange of surplus office items through its SunSET "classified ad" program. Through partnerships, the university reduces its junk mail, composts landscaping waste, and offers a way for students to donate unwanted items during year-end move-out. ASU recycles extensively on all four campuses, with a commingled recycling program on three campuses that accepts paper, chipboard, paperback and hardcover books, cartons and aseptic containers (e.g., juice boxes), plastic, metal, and more, all in the same bin. Additional items – such as batteries, electronics, construction materials, glass, light bulbs and CFLs, packaging materials, and even shoes – can be recycled separately. Read more about ASU's waste and recycling program.
How does ASU encourage alternative transportation?
ASU offers a discounted rate to students, faculty, and staff on public transit passes. The U-Pass provides unlimited access to all four campuses and greater Phoenix on Valley Metro bus routes and the METRO light rail. Free intercampus shuttles from Tempe to the Polytechnic and West campuses as well as several shuttle routes around the Tempe campus make it easy to get from one location to another. ASU offers carpool-reserved parking spaces on both the Tempe and West campuses and partners with a car-sharing company to offer vehicle access to participants who typically use alternative transportation to get to campus. Bicyclists can purchase high-quality bicycle helmets, headlights, and U-locks from any campus parking office; students can also borrow a bicycle for no cost, receive expert maintenance and repair of their bicycles, and purchase discounted replacement parts at a student-run bicycle co-op. Read more about ASU transportation alternatives.
What is ASU doing to improve sustainability in its food services?
Approximately 35 percent of ASU food expenditures go toward local, organic, or otherwise environmentally preferable food. Roughly 15 percent of total food purchases are from within a 150-mile radius. The Campus Harvest program engages the ASU community in planting and harvesting food from ASU’s extensive urban campus to provide fresh, local produce for campus kitchens, including Engrained Café, a campus dining facility offering a seasonal menu of made-to-order dishes with information about local farms and tips on incorporating eco-conscious behaviors into daily life. ASU also sponsors a monthly farmers market at the Tempe campus and the Polytechnic campus community can participate in a Community Supported Agriculture co-op. Read more about ASU's sustainable dining initiatives.
What is ASU doing to improve sustainability in its facilities and operations?
ASU requires, to the fullest extent practicable, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for all new construction of university-owned and operated buildings. Currently, 23 university buildings are LEED certified, and another 10 are pending. ASU Grounds Services conceptualized the ASU Campus Harvest program, implemented the university's water-saving landscaping measures, and participates in the composting initiative. Grounds Services has also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating its arsenal of leaf blowers and adopting three-wheeled bicycles to get around the campuses. The university's sign shop designed a near-zero waste modular signage system that uses reusable, recyclable, low-emitting materials, and reclaims old signs for reuse. The paint shop filters and stirs together odd lots of old paint for reuse on small projects. The print shop uses soy inks and 100% recycled paper for all productions. Read more about ASU buildings, grounds, and services.
