Green Campus

OSU is committed to sustainability. Combined actions by students, staff and faculty are increasing efficiencies and reducing the university’s environmental footprint even as the campus community grows.

The results are in. OSU continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase recycling and composting and achieve greater energy efficiency. Students, staff and faculty have made OSU a higher education leader by improving environmental performance. In 2007, President Ray started a planning process to achieve climate neutrality. Even exercise equipment at the Dixon Recreation Center is connected to the grid.

• Nationwide, the Environmental Protection Agency ranks OSU seventh (previously as high as fourth) among universities for using renewable energy. In the Pac-10 Conference, OSU ranks No. 1 and contributed to Corvallis being named one of two Green Power Cities by the EPA in 2010.
• In 2010, OSU’s greenhouse gas emissions (113,342 tons of CO2 equivalent) are down from its 2007 high point (150,053 tons) and close to what they were in 1991 (113,005 tons). Two reasons: student-approved purchases of green power and OSU’s work toward efficiency and conservation.
• OSU has registered or achieved LEED certification or its equivalent for environmental performance of eight buildings, including historic Weatherford Hall and the Kelley Engineering Center.
• Since 2005, OSU has increased recycling 55 percent and composting 76 percent. Most importantly, waste taken to landfills has decreased 20 percent.
• Since 2002, annual water consumption has decreased 16 percent.