Office of Sustainability

Sweets, carbohydrates, social media, television, cursing, and even warm showers are familiar sacrifices during the season of Lent. Many know of the tradition to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline in other ways.  Pope Francis states, “Lent is a favorable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ.” This year, the Office of Sustainability has chosen to focus our actions on reducing waste, whether it be food, energy, time, or resources, and using those sacrifices to help those in need around us.  The Lenten Calendar is a tool developed to help you focus on actions you can implement not only into your daily routines but even after the Lenten season has ended.…

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Leaders in the areas of environmental change initiatives, climate vulnerability, and energy infrastructure will be presenting their research and findings at the Sustainability Seminar Series.  The series is hosted by the Office of Sustainability and is co-sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies and the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. …

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Saturday, March 30 from 8:30 – 9:30 pm marks another year of observing Earth Hour.  As in years past, the University will be turning off the lights on two of its iconic buildings – the Golden Dome atop the Main Building and the Word of Life Mural on the Hesburgh Library. We again join some of the world’s most iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building (New York), Sydney Opera House (Sydney), Buckingham Palace and Edinburgh Castle (London), and the Eiffel Tower (Paris). …

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The University of Notre Dame’s Harris Family Track & Field Stadium received LEED Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).  The 10,600 gsf facility opened in the spring of 2017 and the building’s many sustainable features continue to highlight the University’s efforts to build better, more efficient and sustainable facilities.…

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In 2018, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and Stepan Center received light fixture makeovers that are more than cosmetic. These upgrades are part of the Sustainable Lighting Project, which supports the University’s ongoing Energy Conservation Measures Program to reduce its environmental impact and increase economic savings.…

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A key component of the University’s Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy includes reducing its carbon dioxide emissions in part through increasing its use of renewable and recoverable energy sources. A new energy plant, located in the small wooded area northeast of campus, will help do that.

The East Plant will house mechanical equipment for the new geothermal well fields located beneath the Ricci Fields; two 2,000-ton electric-driven chillers; and a thermal energy storage tank with the capacity to store 2 million gallons of chilled water.…

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While the highly anticipated openings of the Duncan Student Center, Corbett Family Hall, O’Neill Hall, Jenkins and Nanovic Halls may have caught our attention, the Facilities, Design & Operations team has also been diligently coordinating key makeover projects of several residence halls over the recent years.…

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At almost 43,000 square feet collectively, the Duncan Student Center, Corbett Family Hall, and the O'Neill Hall are home to the largest vegetative "living" roof system in the state of Indiana.

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With a crew of approximately 45 employees strong, Landscape Services maintains more than 1,250 acres of campus property by using several sustainable practices and plantings.  While they do spend a fair amount of time keeping the lawns treated and trimmed, they also have the responsibility of landscaping new and re-landscaping existing buildings on campus, all while keeping sustainability in mind. …

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Do you have unwanted personal or confidential papers piling up at home you need to dispose of? On Wednesday, August 9th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, the University’s shred provider, Shred-it, in conjunction with University Archives at the Hesburgh Library, is offering free and secure confidential document destruction for all University faculty, staff, and students. This event will be held rain or shine.…

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With just a few simple steps, planning a sustainable summer cook-out can be quick and trouble-free.

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The Green Tennis Machine uses a combination of inert and non-flammable gases to restore the bounce height of used tennis balls.

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Installation is underway for the new ground mount PV solar array system.

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The Notre Dame Campus Community Garden has a new home for the first time in seven years.

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Earth Day 2017 - Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

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ND Environmental Engineering graduate student Maria Krug was selected for a 2017 Kaneb Graduate Student Teaching award for her work in teaching the undergraduate Community-Based Engineering Design Projects course.

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Do you have unwanted personal or confidential papers piling up at home you need to dispose of? 

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On Saturday, March 25 from 8:30 – 9:30 PM, Notre Dame will once again participate in Earth Hour by turning off the lights on the Golden Dome and the Word of Life Mural on Hesburgh library.

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