Sustainability Corner

For a second time, UCI has achieved a rare platinum rating through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, maintaining its status as one of the environmentally outstanding universities in the world.

Two-time recipient of the AASHE STARS Platinum rating (2018 & 2021); UCI's 2021 sustainability report received the highest score ever obtained by an institution. UCI is No. 2 in Sierra magazine's 2021 'Cool Schools', 12 straight years being in the top 10. Please take a look at our collective sustainability highlights and achievements of our campus departments from the past year.

UCI has made great strides in upholding its reputation as a sustainable campus. With its LEED Platinum buildings, sustainable transportation initiatives, and sustainable food practices, the importance of incorporating sustainability into research laboratories can easily be forgotten. UCI Green Labs show how simple green habits in the lab can make a significant contribution to achieving UCI’s sustainability goals.

The UC Sustainable Practices Policy guides sustainability efforts in ten areas of sustainable practice: climate protection, clean energy, green building, transportation, sustainable operations, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable procurement, sustainable foodservice, sustainable water systems, and standards for UC Health.

UCI has earned the No. 1 overall spot in Sierra magazine’s 2020 “Cool Schools” sustainability ranking, marking the fourth time in the last seven years UCI has topped the widely acclaimed list. Enjoy learning about the collective sustainability highlights and achievements of our campus departments from the past year.

It’s officially summertime and temperatures are rising. Staying hydrated is essential any time of year, but the hot summer months often remind us just how important drinking water is for our health and well-being. Whether you are on campus or at home, UCI provides resources to help keep you hydrated and ready for the summer.

There is no doubt the coronavirus outbreak has awakened a new way of life. This pandemic has quickly led us to adopt new behaviors and adapt lifestyles in ways that were unimaginable just a few months ago. In a profound way, COVID-19 has not only given us greater reason to protect our health, but also our planet.

As many of us transition towards temporarily working from home, we have the opportunity to be reminded of how we think about human health and well-being in sustainable workspaces. This collection of green tips and behaviors provides simple suggestions to create a comfortable, healthy, and productive work environment.