Faculty & Staff Opportunities

As faculty and staff members, you play an essential role in our ongoing efforts to foster a more sustainable campus community.

Whether you are interested in reducing your energy consumption at work, exploring alternative transportation options, minimizing waste, or participating in sustainability initiatives, there are many ways to get involved.

This page highlights sustainability initiatives at Notre Dame, especially connecting new faculty and staff with resources to help reduce your environmental impact and support the University's path toward carbon neutrality.

About Sustainability at NDTransportationRecycling & Waste ReductionSustainability in the Workplace Professional Development & Volunteer Opportunities Stay Connected

About

Meet the Sustainability Team

The Notre Dame Sustainability Team is an operational partner that convenes with cross-functional teams to expand the capacity of sustainability work across other operational units on campus.

Notre Dame’s Journey Toward Carbon Neutrality

Notre Dame is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and has already made significant progress toward this goal. Check out our timeline of major events to learn more.

Notre Dame’s Sustainability Strategy

Notre Dame has implemented a wide range of initiatives to advance sustainability, including the commission of LEED-certified buildings, facilitating waste diversion, the installation of geothermal wells and green roofs, and expanding upon sustainably-focused food systems and projects. Learn about our current sustainability strategy.

Our sustainability efforts extend beyond operations; we also focus on developing students into leaders equipped to address the challenges of the future. Notre Dame has identified sustainability as a University-wide strategic priority via the University's Strategic Framework. Notre Dame’s Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative will train a new generation of sustainability champions dedicated to caring for our common home in ways that will not leave behind the most vulnerable among us.

Getting Started: Commonly Requested Resources

Transportation

From electric vehicle charging and rentals to free public transit, Notre Dame has options to make the way you move less carbon-intensive. See our transportation initiatives page for more details.

Recycling & Waste Reduction

Recycling on Campus

Everyone at Notre Dame has the option to recycle in their office or workspace through deskside bins and/or centrally located recycling toters. For more details on what can be recycled, consult the A-Z Recycling Directory. Deskside bins are self-serviced. Visit our recycling resource pages to learn more about how Notre Dame recycles.

Specialty Recycling Programs

Waste items like batteries and keyboards should not be placed in recycling bins. Refer to our specialty recycling page for more information on the most common inquiries. For other items not listed, consult the A-Z Recycling Directory.

Community Recycling Programs

If you're new to the Michiana area, review our list of community resources. St. Joseph County residents can participate in curbside recycling and specialty recycling programs.

Sustainability in the Workplace

Energy Conservation Tips

• Unplug and power down: Use power strips to easily disconnect devices and prevent energy "vampires" (electronics that consume power when off but plugged in). Enable sleep settings on computers and monitors.
• Use natural light: When possible, rely on daylight instead of artificial lighting. If you can, try to sit near windows to take advantage of natural light.
• Use layers to stay cool or warm: Remove layers to stay cool, and keep a sweater or blanket at your desk for colder days. This will allow you to keep thermostats to energy-saving temperatures and adhere to the thermostat set point policy (below 75°F in winter, between 70° to 78°F in summer).

Local Purchasing

Where we procure our goods from can make a considerable impact. Consider supporting Procurement's Bridging to Business program to identify small, local, and independent suppliers who can provide you with the products you need for your office or research.

Waste Reduction and Promoting a Low-Waste Office Culture 

Faculty and staff can help to create a low-waste office culture by adopting simple, impactful practices and leveraging the resources available on campus. Here are some strategies and resources to help you reduce waste in the workplace:

• Rethink Office Supplies
  • Go digital: Reduce paper use by transitioning to digital documents and workflows whenever possible. Utilize tools like Google Drive or Box for file sharing and collaborative projects.
  • Clear the Digital Clutter: One email can emit an average of 4g of CO₂, and stored data uses a lot of energy! Take time to regularly clear out old files to preserve your allotted storage and keep digital emissions down.
  • Opt for reusable supplies: Replace single-use items like disposable pens and Keurig pods with refillable or durable alternatives.
  • Order sustainably: Consider the source of the products you are purchasing for yourself or your team. From the start of its life to the end, how does it impact our resources? If possible, try to prioritize eco-labels like B Corporations, and items sourced from recycled or renewable materials.
• Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Bring your own reusable water bottle to refill at one of the many filtered water stations, coffee mug, or utensils to work. When planning events, opt for reusable dining materials.

Professional Development & Volunteer Opportunities

Sustainability Training

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education 

We encourage you to sign up for a free AASHE account, which is paid for by our office! You can access sustainability training workshops and resources. Among workshops, courses, and forums available include topics such as building sustainability across curricula, effective change-making in higher education, creating and growing green labs programs, and addressing the inner dimensions of sustainability.

Green Volunteer Opportunities

For volunteer opportunities, keep an eye out for our Saint Francis and Earth Month events, which are in October and April, respectively.

Sustainability Coursework 

Learn Sustainability

Notre Dame offers a number of sustainability-focused courses, some of which are open to employees. Thanks to Notre Dame's educational benefits program, many ND affiliates can utilize the tuition reimbursement program. See ND HR's Educational Benefits page for the most up-to-date information on this program.

Teach Sustainability

Faculty in all departments are invited to engage in the academic world of sustainability through the Minor in Sustainability in the following ways:

• Sign up to receive their weekly newsletters and special announcements.

• Offer a course in your discipline with a focus on issues in sustainability. If you teach such a course, request approval to have it satisfy elective requirements for students in the Sustainability Minor. If you’d like to develop one, participate in a course development workshop and/or apply for a course development grant through their office.

• Supervise a sustainability capstone research project. Faculty advisors are always needed to mentor seniors in the Minor as they conduct such projects.

If you are interested in any of the above, contact the Director of the Sustainability Minor, Dr. Phil Sakimoto, at psakimot@nd.edu or 574-631-6578.

Stay Connected: Ongoing Resources for Sustainability

Subscribe to the Green Ambassador Newsletter

Join a network of like-minded colleagues and stay up-to-date on the latest sustainability updates through our monthly newsletter, The Green Ambassador.  Sign up today!

Employee Green Guide

Download our employee green guide for an in-depth toolkit to learn how you can enact change at any level of employment within the University. 

Everyday Sustainability Page

Sustainability is a team effort, and everyone has a role to play. See our list of everyday sustainability resources to inspire a more sustainable lifestyle.

Sustainability Events & News

Participate in ongoing sustainability events and stay informed about Notre Dame’s latest achievements.

Green Tour

See Notre Dame’s green spaces and learn about sustainable investments on campus.

Tree Tour

This interactive tool highlights the locations of various tree species, from the Alaska Weeping Cedar to the Kentucky Coffeetree, and makes it easy to explore the campus's natural beauty.