Seattle University has been honored once again as one of the country's top green universities for making environmentally responsible choices and practicing sustainability.
The Princeton Review ranked SU highest of all 28 Jesuit universities nationwide and independent colleges in Washington state. For the second consecutive year, the university received a 94 on a numerical scale of 66-99, based on sustainability-related policies and programs.
Some of SU's sustainability practices include:
- Water bottle-free campus
- 60 percent of all campus waste is recycled and composted
- On-site composting center where 52,000 pounds of campus kitchen waste annually gets turned into compost that is applied back to the campus landscape
- Green roofs complete with grasses and soil that support other surrounding plants and tree growth
- Gardens where students grow food and donate to those in need
- Rain gardens that collect storm water runoff and remove pollutants
- Solar panels for energy conservation throughout campus and the surrounding neighborhood
SU has earned 18 awards for its eco-friendly practices. With completion of its new Fitness Center in the fall, the university will have four LEED Gold certified buildings with the Admissions & Alumni Building, the Law School Annex and the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons.
SU increased the amount of waste composted and recycled by 11 percent in the past year by placing 60 additional compost bins outside buildings, in residence halls and eatery areas. To-go ware from campus restaurants is also compostable.
"Seattle University's sustainability programs represent a commitment by our students, faculty and staff and you can see the results the moment you step onto our beautiful campus," said Executive Vice President Timothy Leary. "Each year, we are deepening our commitment and we look forward to sharing our expertise in sustainability more widely through partnerships and community engagement."