It All Adds Up! Ways to be Sustainable through Energy Use, Waste Reduction, Sustainable Transit, Water Use, Driving Reduction, and Food Waste
Sustainability ON/OFF Campus

Ever wonder how to be sustainable on and off campus?There are various ways and engagement levels to lead a sustainable lifestyle on and off campus! 

For those living on campus:

  • Be cognizant of your energy impact and turn off/unplug all appliances and lights when not in your dorm. 
  • Turn heat and air conditioning off/down when you're away.
  • Take the stairs over the elevator.

Turning off lights, heat, air conditioning, and other appliances when not in use or when you're not in your room, can help reduce your energy consumption and carbon footprint. Choosing to take the stairs over using the elevator, if you are able, is another way to reduce your energy consumption. All forms of electricity generation have an environmental impact on our air, water, and land. Environmental problems directly related to energy consumption and production include air pollution, climate change, water pollution, thermal pollution and solid waste disposal.  So, reducing your use of electricity will reduce this impact on the environment. Learn about Energy and its Impact on the Environment | US EPA. The University has great Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency initiatives to achieve electricity savings, energy efficiency, energy savings, and is dedicated to increasing renewable energy.  

  • Take only as much food as you will eat

Some dining halls may be buffet style which may prompt you to take more food than you can actually eat, so start small and work your way up. You can always go back for seconds (or thirds) but you cannot put the food back on the buffet once it's on your plate. Though the University’s dining service M Food Co.'s vendor, Chartwells, measures food waste daily to try to reduce food waste, it is up to you to try to reduce your individual waste. Food waste is an environmental problem. Not only is the food wasted, but all the inputs, energy, water, land, labor etc. that it takes to grow, harvest, transport, and package the food are also wasted. Additionally, food and other organic material is composted to divert it from ending up as trash in landfills. As food goes to landfills and rots, it produces methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Therefore, reduce your own contribution to food waste by only taking what you need and being cognizant of the environmental impacts. 

  • Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and limit shower length

Water conservation means using your water resources wisely and not contributing to unnecessary waste. Reducing your water consumption has positive environmental impacts, as water use has a carbon footprint. Using less water in your individual life allows for more water to be in our ecosystems and keeps our wetland habitats healthy for wildlife. Reducing water consumption lowers energy demand which helps prevent air pollution, minimizes effects of drought and water shortages, and overall preserves our environment. Every drop counts! Cutting your shower time by just one minute can save 2.1 gallons of water. The University collects and reuses about 5 million gallons of rainwater each year to provide water in multiple locations on campus. 

  • Bike to class 
  • Use public transportation

Biking and walking to class instead of driving is not only better for your personal health, but also for the health of the environment! Biking keeps you healthy and decreases the amount of CO2 released into the air from driving your car. The less excess of CO2 the better, as it contributes to global warming and climate change. Further, reducing the amount of miles you drive is the BEST way to reduce air pollution from cars. If you can, bike or walk to class and other destinations to emit zero pollutants. Biking and walking on campus is easier than driving as there are 46 miles of sidewalks and over 12 miles of on and off-campus dedicated bike lanes and paths. There are various bike programs like ZAP Bike Program, The Hub Bike Center, and Nice Ride bike sharing that are available. Utilize public transportation! UMN Twin Cities has extensive public transportation options to reduce your carbon footprint. UMN buses and Metro Transit buses pass through campus which is a convenient way to get to class. Campus and Metro Transit buses are FREE for students who pay the transportation fee

  • Reduce waste by reusing or composting items
  • Sort your waste to ensure it is recycled! 

Do not contribute to unnecessary waste accumulation and purchase reusable items over disposables. Using reusable or recyclable items is a great way for you to take action and reduce excess waste. Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Composting reduces the waste stream, cuts methane emissions from landfills, improves soil health, conserves water, and reduces personal food waste! The University has many goals, programs, and recycling opportunities to reduce waste that enters the trash. The University’s long term goal is to divert 90% of campus waste from entering the trash and landfills. To do this, all waste generated on campus must be reusable, recyclable, or compostable. The ReUse Program collects surplus items and makes them available for purchase. Recycling at the U provides information on what can be recycled and how to go about recycling. Sorting your waste on campus helps to ensure what should be recycled can be recycled. 

  • Join various clubs, organizations, or take part in our sustainability initiatives and programs

There are many student organizations and groups on campus that meet regularly, host events, and build a community of like minded students. The Environmental Student Association, UMN Energy Club, Sustainable Systems Management Club and many others are a way to learn more and take action to live a more sustainable lifestyle!

Sources: 

Sustainability Tips: It All Adds Up
Sustainable Campus 

environmental impact of energy — European Environment Agency

Fight climate change by preventing food waste | Stories | WWF

How to conserve water | The Wildlife Trusts

Reducing air pollution from cars

Composting 101 | NRDC 

 

All Sustainability News

Do you have input regarding the University of Minnesota Twin Cities' Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program? 

"Illicit discharges are considered 'illicit' because MS4s are not designed to accept, process, or discharge such non-stormwater wastes." (EPA) As water runs down the street into storm drains, contaminated with illicit discharge (such as cigarette butts, trash, salt, vehicle fluids, or yard waste) from the street, it flows back down through the stormwater system and back into the river. Learn how you can help or report illicit discharge on campus.

Facilities Management’s Landcare team is the primary snow removal service provider for the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, responsible for clearing nearly 100 miles of streets and walkways, and over 100 acres of parking surfaces. Learn more:

Climate Literacy 101 with Mayor Melvin Carter and Dr. Heidi Roop

Thursday, 11/14 from 11am-2pm: The Climate Literacy 101 interactive workshop is designed to interpret the science and impacts of climate change for broad action, on campus and beyond. 

We will be joined by special guests Melvin Carter, Mayor of St. Paul, and Dr. Heidi Roop, Assistant Director for Climate Services, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and UMN Climate Adaptation Partnership.

Thursday, November 14th, 11am-2pm. Coffman Union, Mississippi Room (3rd floor). M Food Co is providing a "Climate Cool" lunch.
Register

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities continues to show its leadership in sustainability, earning recognition in The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges: 2025 Edition. UMN Twin Cities received a perfect Green Rating score of 99, making it one of the top eco-friendly institutions. This rating evaluates universities based on campus sustainability, student life, and how well schools prepare students for careers in the clean-energy economy. This achievement emphasizes UMN's dedication to creating an environmentally conscious campus and providing students with a sustainable future. Discover how UMN Twin Cities is making a positive impact on campus and our planet!

The University of Minnesota's upcoming Climate Literacy Teach-In event is on November 14th from 11am-2pm. This events aims to engage students and faculty in meaningful discussions about climate change. With interactive activities, expert-led discussions, and a kickoff breakfast hosted by the Learning Abroad Center, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of climate issues and learn practical actions they can take. Additionally, a self-guided climate conversation activity allows individuals to facilitate discussions anywhere and anytime, emphasizing the importance of personal climate stories to drive climate awareness and change.

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Green Labs Open House events

Are you interested in learning more about lab sustainability efforts on campus and the new UMN Green Labs Certification Program and how to green your lab? Have you wondered how you could save energy in your lab and lower costs? Join one of two upcoming Green Labs Open House events co-hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the College of Biological Sciences. Learn more
 Register

This fall, the University of Minnesota’s FM Landcare team is planting 105 climate-adaptable trees across campus to diversify the landscape and increase resilience against pests. The trees being planted include a mix of borderline hardy species, new varieties for the campus, and reliable or native trees. Sourced from the campus gravel bed nursery, these trees are easy to plant and acclimate quickly to their environment. Learn more about the tree varieties and discover climate-resilient options for your own yard in this story map publication from the UMN Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

This fall, the University of Minnesota’s Office of Sustainability is hosting a series of educational and engaging events to help deepen your knowledge of sustainability, climate change, and actions you can take on campus and beyond. With insightful Coffee Chats featuring experts and a hands-on Climate Literacy Teach-In, these events provide a great opportunity to connect with professionals, learn from your peers, and take steps toward a greener future. From ice core research to food security on campus, each session provides a new insight on different sustainability topics.

All events are free and open to the anyone that attends the University of Minnesota. Don’t miss out—mark your calendars, grab your coffee, and join us in working toward a more sustainable campus!

Resilience Plan now available

The Climate Resilience Plan, addendum to the 2023 Climate Action Plan, is now available.

Learn more   See the Plan