Collaborative Action

ASU continues to embed sustainability into the goals, policies, procedures, decisions and daily activities of departments across the institution through collaborative action.

• Annually increase integration of sustainability practices into campus operations and functions.
  • Examples of progress:
    • ASU Grounds Services has implemented a closed-loop system that turns campus green waste into fresh compost.
    • ASU Grounds Services, Sun Devil Fitness and University Sustainability Practices collaborated with the city of Phoenix and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to test a hydrogel polymer in sports fields on the West Valley campus as a new way to save water.
  • Earn and retain at least 70% of operations-related points in the AASHE Sustainability Tracking and Rating System by fiscal year 2019.
    • Update: In FY2023, ASU earned 53.57 of 71 possible points, meaning 75% of operations-related points in its STARS Platinum submittal.
• The Office of Student and Cultural Engagement, Sun Devil Fitness Complexes, International Student Engagement and the Committee for Campus Inclusion host a number of workshops, presentations, training sessions, and experiences that reach across the breadth and depth of cultural competencies. The entire university community is welcome to attend every event. More can be found in ASU’s AASHE STARS submission.
• ASU's Sixth Annual State of Sustainability Summit was held virtually on Oct. 14, 2020. This event celebrated the many sustainability achievements of ASU and its partners from the past year.
• ASU President Michael Crow recognized the Eco Reps program and Shared Fleet Services program with the 2024 President’s Award for Sustainability. The award acknowledges sustainable ideas, solutions, programs or services that can inspire or guide other ASU units.

Eco Reps Program

Eco Reps is a peer-to-peer sustainability engagement initiative empowering students living in campus residential communities to lead sustainability efforts and demonstrate sustainable lifestyle habits. USP established the program in fall 2022 with grant funding from Coca-Cola.

Over the past three years, the program has engaged thousands of students in adopting eco-friendly practices, contributing to ASU’s overall sustainability goals. Collaborating with partners like ASU Zero Waste and Sun Devil Hospitality, Eco Reps play a vital role in campus sustainability. Their impact was recognized through ASU’s AASHE STARS ranking, earning points in Campus Engagement under the Student Educators Program.

As Earth Day approaches, Eco Reps are gearing up for another impactful Earth Day Every Day month, leading interactive initiatives focused on the circular economy of fashion, food waste and insecurity and environmental justice. They will also engage peers through various activities, including the Fair Trade Showcase, a Barrett Seed Planting Event, and partnerships with Zero Waste at ASU’s Changemaker Farmer’s Market and Earth Day Every Day Walk.

Watch the Eco Reps mini-documentary and follow USP on Instagram to learn more about the award-winning program.

The Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund

The Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund was established in fiscal year 2010 to invest in projects that foster and enable sustainability efforts and provide an economic return on investment. SIRF funds are available to all ASU community members.

Sustainability Recognition Program 

ASU’s Sustainability Recognition Program offers many ways for the university community to contribute to ASU’s sustainability goals. Participants are guided through various sustainability practices centered around energy, waste, water, procurement, health and well-being. You, your events, or your student organization can receive recognition. Click here to enroll in the ASU Sustainability Recognition Program.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system encourages and recognizes high-performance building practices in the categories of Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Material and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation. ASU has a minimum LEED-NC silver certification policy. ASU parking garages on the Tempe campus are also ParkSmart certified. The Orange Mall is SITES certified, and ASU is pursuing SITES certification on additional landscape and hardscape projects.

Facilities Development project guidelines

The project guidelines integrate green building recommendations and requirements throughout the sustainable design, design, technical and other guidelines for new construction and renovation projects.