Updates
The Office of Sustainability will have variable in-person hours for the indefinite future, but is open virtually during normal business hours. Please subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates or email sustainability@ohio.edu with questions.
What is Sustainability
Ohio University defines sustainability as the capacity to simultaneously benefit people, the planet and prosperity now and in the future. Life-cycle analysis, life-cycle costing, social financial proxies, and multi-criteria decision analyses are tools that are used to evaluate sustainability. Also used at Ohio University is a popular but less actionable definition, adapted from the Bruntland definition of sustainable development: sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Mission
Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability facilitatesthe implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan by providing services and support to the campus community and ensuresfulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being.
News and Announcements
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Clubs A-Z: OU Bug Club protects, examines ...
March 19, 2025
For many Bobcats, playing outside with different insects calls to mind a dirty, yet fun childhood. Luckily for Ohio University Bug Club members, reliving these happy memories and putting childhood passions into practice is possible with several insects to discover in Athens.
During a typical Sunday meeting, the club can be found exploring insects native to Athens, with the goal to save and protect. Species may be researched, relocated and cared for, further educating members and benefiting the environment.
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Athens wins EPA award encouraging environm...
February 25, 2025
The Ohio Economic Development Association awarded the City of Athens the 2024 Gold Level Encouraging Environmental Excellence in Communities Award. The award recognizes an organization or local government’s commitment to environmental oversight and excellence.
Notable benefits of the award include enhanced environmental assistance from the Ohio EPA, reduced time to obtain permit modifications and marketing opportunities to highlight environmental accomplishments.
To obtain the award, the city had to complete environmental, economic and social sustainability requirements and meet at least 12 of the EPA’s criteria.
Policies such as banning plastic bag usage and increasing the use of solar energy have helped Athens earn the award.
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Community Makerspace fosters sustainable c...
February 24, 2025
According to a study conducted by Boston University, 34 billion pounds of textiles are discarded in the United States each year. This translates to roughly 100 pounds of discarded textiles per person. Of those textiles that are discarded, 66% are sent to landfills.
Heather Fuston, manager of the UpCycle Ohio Community Makerspace, said her organization is doing its part to stem a tidal wave of textile waste from flowing into local landfills. Last year, UpCycle Ohio recycled 19,000 pounds of textiles and helped people in communities across Athens County mend their clothes. This not only keeps textiles out of landfills but also reduces the number of new textiles that need to be produced.
Upcoming Events
Office of Sustainability Featured Programs
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Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors
The Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors program is an initiative of the Sustainable Administration Hub . The Ambassadors are an energetic and enthusiastic group of students who assist in the implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. You can find them leading the Earth Day Sustainability Parade; instructing Bobcats fans on proper disposal of game day waste; teaching in the local middle schools; labeling our storm drains with "drains to river" markers; and more!
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Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP)
The Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP) is a sustainability certification program which aims to recognize departments or offices across campus for their sustainable efforts, whether they be existing practices or new changes.
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Sustainability Project Laboratory
Students, do you need an idea for a course project or thesis? Faculty, are you looking for project ideas for a project-based course? Our Sustainability Project Laboratory may have the projects you are looking for! These projects are designed to advance goals in the Ohio University Sustainability & Climate Action Plan while providing experiential and/or community-engaged learning opportunties for students.
Sustainability Hubs
We welcome participants to our Sustainability Hubs! The dates and topics for the Hub Seminar Series can be found on the Calendar of University events . For more information, please sign up for our newsletter or visit our Hub webpages . For other sustainability events, please visit the Calendar of University events , and search using the keyword "sustainability."