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Sustainability

Sustainability at Union College

The Office of Sustainability at Union College is dedicated to fostering a thriving and resilient community that upholds and values the three pillars of sustainability; environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic vitality. Our mission is to inspire and empower students, faculty, and staff to integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life.

sustain@union.edu

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Staff

  • Staff

    The Office of Sustainability is staffed by the Sustainability Manager, and Sustainability Associates.

    Grace Hotopp, Sustainability Manager

    Current Sustainability Associates:

    • Kassandra Smeltzer (Outreach)
    • Orlando Figueroa (Outreach)
    • Caroline Lewkowicz (Outreach)
    • Kabya Khadka (Marketing)
    • Kenneth Kromer (Marketing)
    • Antoinette Gamble (Marketing)
    • Dennis Moraga (Octopus’s Garden)
    • Maren Kreutzer (Octopus’s Garden)

Sustainability Initiatives

  • Programs

    1. Earth Fest

      Earth Fest is a collaboration between The Office of Sustainability and U-Sustain that takes place each year on Earth Day. Local organizations, businesses, and food vendors are encouraged to come educate, connect, and celebrate Earth Day!

    2. Donation Day

      Each year at move-out, students leave donation items in specified locations for teams of volunteers and staff to collect and organize in Memorial Fieldhouse. Community partner organizations are then invited to come to campus and “shop” the selection. This is a great way to give back to our local community and keep items out of the landfill!

    3. Sustainability Showdown

      This event is one of the many ways in which on-campus, sustainability related clubs come together to share ideas, form partnerships, and compete in trivia to see who is the Sustainability Showdown champion!

    4. Weigh the Waste

      Weigh the Waste is a program done in collaboration with Bon Appetit that encourages students and dining hall staff to be mindful about food waste through the measurement of how much food is composted during a certain meal time.

  • Operations

    Waste Management: All of our campus waste management is done by Casella

    • Landfill
    • Composting/food waste recycling
    • Single stream recycling

    Electric Vehicle Charging

    USEFULL

    • Our reusable take out container program!

    Biodiversity enhancements such as the wildflower meadow at College Park Hall

  • Education

    Education

    • Sustainability campus tours
    • Collaborations with academic courses
    • Guest speaking
    • Community outreach at events such as Admitted Students Day, First-year Orientation

Octopus's Garden

Founded in 2008, Octopus's Garden is the organic community garden here at Union College. Run by work study students and volunteers, the garden is able to produce high yields of organic vegetables and flowers which are then donated to local organizations.

FAQs

  • Questions about E-Waste, and Universal Waste recycling?
  • Where can I recycle batteries on campus?
    • Facilities Services has battery recycling containers
  • I saw a refill station that needs a new filter, who do I contact?