This fall, Boston University’s Campus Climate Lab (CCL) awarded funding for three new and three continuing student-led projects focused on waste reduction and sustainable buildings and operations. CCL research projects promote sustainability and climate action with real-world impact by supporting BU students and faculty in developing solutions that support the University Climate Action Plan using the campus as a living laboratory.
Since the program’s start in 2020, CCL research projects have worked toward decarbonizing BU’s campus, improving the sustainability of its buildings and operations, and reducing waste and scope 3 emissions. Research can be grounded in any discipline and explore various climate and sustainability topics, including resiliency, climate-related health impacts, related equity and justice issues, and Greater Boston’s climate action efforts.
The recent fall 2025 awardees include 15 students, four faculty, and five staff members. The participants’ affiliations span BU’s Metropolitan College (MET), College of Engineering (ENG), College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), College of Fine Arts (CFA), and College of Communication (COM).
Explore current and past CCL projects and apply for the next round of funding this summer.
CCL is led by BU Sustainability, in collaboration with the Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS) and the Office of Research.
Campus Climate Lab by the Numbers | Fall 2025
Fall Project Goals
Buildings and Operations
- Roadmap for Green Lab Certification: Evaluate key aspects of My Green Lab certification for labs across the university to recommend sustainability metrics, incentives, and training. (Team members from MET, ENG, and CAS)
- Analysis of Energy Efficiency & Decarbonization Options for the Charles River and Medical Campuses for 20 Large Buildings: Develop an energy efficiency and decarbonization plan for BU’s major buildings, which account for more than 35 percent of its direct greenhouse gas emissions. (Team members from ENG)
Reducing Waste
- NEW: Plastic Reuse, Filament Conversion at BU: Expand existing systems for processing plastic waste on campus to create reusable 3D-printing filament for BU Labs. (Team members from CAS, ENG, and Robotics & Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center/RASTIC)
- NEW: Recycling Waste PLA: Scale up systems that recycle Polylactic Acid (PLA) waste generated by 3D printers in BU’s makerspaces, which account for over a quarter-ton of PLA waste each year, to reduce the need for new materials. (Team members from ENG and RASTIC)
- NEW: Laundry Water Treatment for Sustainable Irrigation at BU: Test BU dorm laundry water filtration methods to examine which one best improves the water quality for reuse and supports healthy plant growth. (Team members from CAS)
- Art Studio Standard Operating Procedure and Reduction Project – Darkroom Sustainability Module: Develop new protocols to reduce chemical usage, properly dispose of waste, and reduce the environmental impact of BU’s darkrooms. (Team members from CAS, COM, and CFA)