Student Initiatives

• Annually, SU students join more than 400 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. in competing to see who can produce the most recycling through the national RecycleMania program. During the 10-week competition, SU students recycle some 4 tons of material, including glass, aluminum, plastic, paper and cardboard.

• SU students participate in many campus organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment, including Bio Environs, the Environmental Health Club, Environmental Students Association and the Student Sustainability Club.

• Printers in computer labs and in the library are defaulted to print double-sided.

• An online suggestion box allows students to share sustainability ideas with campus officials without using paper.

• Annually in April, SU's Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association, Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and Sustainability Office join forces to celebrate Earth Week. The event promotes environmental awareness and volunteer opportunities for students, faculty and staff.

• In 2011, SU installed water bottle filling stations in Henson Science Hall, Maggs Gym and University Fitness Club. The stations were a suggestion by the SGA to help reduce the number of disposable water bottles on campus. The Joyce Agency donated the unit placed in Henson and Halsey Taylor / The Noland Company donated the unit in Maggs. From Thanksgiving 2011 until February 28th, 2012 the Henson unit dispensed the equivalent of 4,074 sixteen ounce bottles of water!

• In 2012, SU installed additional water bottle filling stations in the University Center, the Maintenance Building and Support Services. Additional locations will be developed as budgeting permits.

• The SGA sponsors Recycle Madness which is a competition among student organizations to determine which group is able to recycle the most weight of materials. Recycle Madness occurs in October each year. In 2012, a total of 6616.5 pounds of materials were recycled! These included 240 lbs. of aluminum, 420 lbs. of prepared steel, 220 lbs. of sheet metal and various other recyclables.