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Office of Sustainability

October is Campus Sustainability Month! Take the Campus Sustainability Survey to share your sustainable practices and thoughts towards a more sustainable ISU.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is a practice in which we consider the implications of our individual and collective actions; the interconnectivity among people and ecosystems coexisting within communities and across the globe; and a vision for an equitable and thriving planet for generations to come.

At Illinois State, putting sustainability into practice means:

  • fostering a culture of sustainability through leadership, commitments, engagement, and traditions
  • finding solutions through diverse, interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching, research, and innovation
  • integrating accessible environmental stewardship into campus operations
View the Illinois State University Sustainability Strategic Plan

Explore Sustainability at Illinois State

There are a lot of people working hard to make our campus green. Learn about our initiatives and how you can participate.

  • Zero Waste

    We're pursuing Zero Waste in all corners of campus.

  • Shop

    Shop sustainability with one of our reusable, environmentally-friendly made products.

  • Food and Events

    Sustainability has a strong presence in our dining centers and at campus events.


See all sustainability initiatives

Play an Active Role

From joining a group to changing behavior, there are lots of ways you can make sustainability part of your daily routine.

  • Compostable cups.

    Composting

    Learn about the compost kiosks on our campus.

  • Secondhand items on the shelves of the Share Shop.

    Share Shop

    Shop at ISU’s free secondhand store.

  • Reggie walks a bike on the quad.

    Bike ISU

    Find all the info and resources you need about biking.


View all engagement opportunities

Students inspecting solar panels

Fully Committed

We don't just talk about sustainability at Illinois State. We make it part of our lives and the campus culture.

See how we're ensuring a stable future

University Sustainability Memberships and Designations

    • The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education logo
    • Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition logo
    • Illinois Recycling Foundation logo
    • Tree Campus Higher Education Logo. An Arbor Day Foundation Program.
    • United States Green Building Council Logo.
    • ISU Green Workplace Certification

Campus Green Map

Find sustainability resources across campus.

View the map

Sustainability News

A person with long dark hair in braids, wearing a patterned coat, gazes seriously into the camera against a soft blue background. They are holding one of the braids with their hand. The lighting adds a subtle warmth to their face.
University Housing Services is excited to announce musician, activist, and prolific voice Xiuhtezcatl Martinez as our special guest for the Latino and Sustainability Cultural Dinner on Tuesday, October 22, at 5 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center.  
A rental bike sits in a bike rack.

Support Sustainability

Donations made to the Office of Sustainability supports and advances environmental stewardship and
sustainability programs across our campus.

Giving to Sustainability