Meet the Sustainability Commissioners!
The Sustainability Commissioner Program was started at Notre Dame in order to get the various dorms more active in sustainability initiatives on campus and in the local community.
News
28% Reduction in Student Printing Results in Numerous Environmental Benefits
Since the adjustment of student printing quotas in 2014, the amount of paper used by students through the PrintND program has decreased by 28% - almost 3.1 million sheets of paper.
This reduction, largely unnoticed by users, has had a significant impact on Notre Dame’s environmental footprint. In five measured areas: wood use, net energy, greenhouse gases, water consumption, and solid waste, the university has made strides in decreasing its impact on the environment.
McWell Renovations Spotlight Sustainable Practices
The Rev. James E. McDonald Center for Student Well-Being, better known as “McWell”, underwent a renovation over the summer that transformed the traditional clinical office space in Saint Liam Hall into a sustainable wellness oasis for use by all university students, which parallels the scope of their department.b
LeanPath Program helps Campus Dining Reduce Food Waste by 30%
As for Campus Dining’s next steps? “We would like to start measuring post-consumer waste, and make our students aware of their waste habits in regards to dining.” Said Cheryl Bauer, Associate Director of Sourcing and Sustainability. “We’ve come a long way but we look forward to continued opportunities.”
Annual shred event diverts over two tons of paper from landfill
The 2016 Free Shred Event on Wednesday, June 22, drew 124 cars and produced 4,260 pounds of shredded material.
Old2Gold diverts 119 tons of waste from landfill
In its second year at the St. Joseph County 4H Fairgrounds, the 2016 Old2Gold sale saw continued success. The sale this year brought in 1,755 shoppers, made over $33,489 for participating local organizations, and diverted over 60 tons of waste from the landfill.
New main quad oaks chosen for appearance and resilience
Two young Swamp White Oaks have replaced the two European Copper Beech trees on Main Quad between Washington Hall and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The Oaks, chosen for their stately appearance and resilience to environmental factors, join an arboretum on Notre Dame’s main quad.
Butterfly garden installed near St. Mary’s Lake
During Reunion 2016, The Alumni Class of 1976 installed a butterfly garden on the corner of St. Mary’s Road and Holy Cross Drive as their class gift.
Sustainable Memorial Day Weekend Activities
For this holiday weekend we’ve put together a list of activities for the family that will help you integrate sustainability and nature into your weekend.
Water, Water, Everywhere: Responsible care for water on campus is beneficial to all
Notre Dame’s stormwater management program controls the water runoff when circumstances call for it, such as a large volume of melting snow or excessive rainfall.
2016 Children's Sustainability Art Contest Crowns Winners
The 2016 Sustainability Children’s Artwork Competition has come to a close and three winning submissions have been selected from a total of 25 entries.
Megawatt Madness 2016 saves 39,700 kWh
This year, an overall 39,700 kWh was saved by all 29 dorms throughout the two and one-half week contest, equivalent to 77,426 pounds of CO2, or taking almost 6 cars off the road yearly.
Sustainability Art Contest Open for Notre Dame Community Children
The Children’s Sustainability Art Contest is for children of the Notre Dame community and will be held during the month of April to raise awareness among university families of the importance of sustainable living and to help celebrate Earth Day on April 22.
Plant it for the Planet this Earth Day
On Friday, April 22, the University of Notre Dame will celebrate the 46th anniversary of Earth Day with events and activities to engage the campus community in celebrating the natural world and being good stewards of our common home.
RecycleMania Cardboard Box Fort takes over Fieldhouse Mall
The RecycleMania tournament is a competition between over 600 colleges and universities across North America to achieve the highest campus recycling rate. Among other things, the tournament serves as an opportunity to promote recycling to the student body, and what better way to do so than by building a fort out of recycled cardboard boxes?
Megawatt Madness Begins!
From March 14 until March 31, Notre Dame’s 29 dorms will be partaking in Megawatt Madness, a campus-wide competition to see which dorm can save the most electricity.
Notre Dame participates in Earth Hour for ninth year
On Saturday, March 19 from 8:30 to 9:30 PM, Notre Dame will participate in Earth Hour by turning off the lights on the Golden Dome and the Word of Life Mural on Hesburgh Library for one hour.
Hats Off to Reading event features The Lorax
On Saturday March 5, the Office of Sustainability will partner with the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore for a celebration of reading like no other!
Give more this Lent with a Carbon Fast
With Pope Francis’s recent call to action to make climate change a priority, reducing your carbon footprint with a Lenten Carbon Fast is a great way to participate in a global cause by focusing on the actions you choose to take daily.
Learn how to read your utility bill at the spring semester Green Ambassador meeting
The spring semester Green Ambassadors meeting will take place on Thursday, February 8th, from 12-1pm in the South Dining Hall Hospitality room.