Topics

Sustainability at The University of Iowa is framed by work of many dedicated faculty, staff and students. Just a few of the topics within sustainability are presented here. It's a dynamic list that we anticipate will evolve as the University community strives to be good stewards and advocates for sustainability.

Energy + Climate

The University of Iowa is committed to increasing the use of renewable energy, thereby reducing our reliance on coal, purchased electricity, and natural gas. Beginning in 2003, our biomass fuel project, and partnership with Quaker Oats, has enabled us to reduce our fossil fuel green house gas emissions by over 50,000 tons of CO2 each...

Our Built Environment

The University of Iowa incorporates green principles in the placement, design and construction of new campus facilities and major renovation projects, maintaining a minimum standard of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for new construction and major renovations. Facilities Management Planning, Design and Construction team also uses the UI’s comprehensive Design Standards & Procedures...

Food

Being a conscious consumer can help one watch the waist and waste. The University of Iowa community strives to be good stewards - locally and globally. This means being aware of the environmental, economic and social implications surrounding our food choices and daily decision making. Residential Dining - University Housing Residential Dining believes in supporting local...

Recycling + Waste Reduction

Mention sustainability and the things that often come to mind first are recycling and waste reduction. With a little effort from everyone, the amount of material sent to the landfill is reduced. Recycling The University of Iowa has transformed the way it manages recyclable materials by introducing a new single-stream recycling program across campus. Single stream recycling means...

Water

The University of Iowa has established a Water Sustainability Initiative to advance research, education, and outreach on sustainability. This initiative expands the University's existing strength in interdisciplinary research on water including its availability, quality, reuse, health impacts, and its relationship to a changing climate. Economics, policy, and law as well as the natural sciences and engineering are...

Transportation

Carpool Network/Vanpool - Save Emissions and Share Company The University of Iowa Parking & Transportation Department offers a matching service which helps people locate others interested in carpooling. The service is free and non-obligatory—you make the actual arrangements. It's easy and you can carpool as often or as little as you want. Either way you will...

The University of Iowa Biomass Fuel Project

New Updated May 21, 2013 Fuel Yard - a team of senior engineering students spent two semesters preparing a conceptual design of a fuel yard. The purpose of this project was to fulfill their engineering curricula requirements and present a fuel yard concept that could be used to kick start a more detailed study/plan for such a...