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We support the transformation of Boston University’s planning, operations, and culture toward a sustainable and equitable future. We are guided by the University’s mission, Strategic Plan, and Climate Action Plan.
Sustainability Festival
Stop by the Sustainability Festival for some fun and games. Join us on September 16th at Talbot Green and September 23rd at the GSU Plaza. This is an exciting time for you to connect with student groups and Boston University community members and learn more about getting involved with sustainability. Sustainability is for everyone, so come see what BU and our local partners have to offer!
Featured Projects
From sustainable renovations of existing buildings to construction of cutting-edge, fossil fuel–free facilities, BU works with partners to lead groundbreaking projects.
Doing Their Part
Meet the members of the BU community who are leading by example in their daily actions and vocations.
Reimagining Waste as a Resource
How will you help BU achieve its Zero Waste goal? Read the Zero Waste Plan and contact sustainability@bu.edu to let us know how you'll be part of the solution.
Latest News
Welcoming Our Zero Waste Fellow: Devin Rauscher
BU Sustainability is excited to announce Devin Rauscher as this year's Zero Waste Fellow. In the role, Devin works alongside the Zero Waste Manager on programs that push the university toward its 90% diversion goal — including Goodwill, Not Landfill, Zero Waste hockey games, shred days, and other waste-centered events across campus. Growing up on […]
Introducing a Lighter-Weight Path to Green Department Certification
Green Department Certification LITE Boston University Sustainability is pleased to announce the launch of Green Department Certification 2.0 LITE, debuting Fall 2026 — a new pathway that extends the benefits of the university's Green Department Certification program to departments of every size. Since its introduction, the Green Department Certification program has enabled departments across the […]
Sustainability Storyboard: An Interactive Guide to BU’s Consumption Metrics
In collaboration with Facilities Management & Operations, BU Sustainability is excited to share a new tool on our Data Dashboard. A new detailed energy & water storyboard is now available to view and engage with, showcasing building-by-building data related to emissions, electricity consumption, and water use. We strive to be transparent about the university’s consumption and recognize that sharing this […]
Pride, Sustainability, and the Fight for a Livable Future
Every June, Pride Month is a time to celebrate visibility, resilience, and community. Increasingly, that celebration also touches questions of survival, including how a changing climate affects different communities. This Pride, it's worth looking at how climate change impacts LGBTQ+ communities harder, who's doing the work at that intersection, and what's actually worth celebrating. Climate […]
2026 Student Sustainability Leadership Award Winners Announced
Every year, BU Sustainability recognizes the students who don't just talk about a more just and sustainable future — they build it. The Student Sustainability Leadership Award highlights graduating seniors who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to sustainability at Boston University — through service, leadership, and building awareness across their communities. This […]
Out of 18,000+ Teams, BU Startup LET Advances to the Top 80 of the Global Hult Prize
More than 25 million pounds of tennis strings end up in landfills and incinerators every year. A Boston University venture called LET is betting it can turn that waste stream into something the apparel industry actually wants — and the judges at one of the world’s largest student startup competitions are paying attention. Last week, LET won […]
What Can (and Can’t) Go in the Goodwill Bins? Your GWNL Sorting Guide
Picture this: You've survived finals week, but now you're standing in your room staring at a pile of stuff: multiple storage bins, an overflowing closet, a bulky mattress pad, and the sinking realization that you have to move out in 5 days. Before you start hauling everything to the dumpster, PAUSE. During Move-Out, BU Sustainability's Goodwill, Not Landfill […]
Boston Green Ribbon Commission Receives $500,000 for Thermal Energy Project to Deliver Large-Scale Heating and Cooling
The Mass Clean Energy Center, in partnership with the City of Boston, announced $500,000 in funding for the Boston Green Ribbon Commission (GRC) to lead a project exploring the technical, economic, and regulatory feasibility of using clean thermal energy from Boston-area water to deliver large-scale heating and cooling. The year-long Boston Thermal Energy Network (BosTEN) […]