Office of Sustainability

The University has pledged an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2050 on a gross square foot basis of facilities-controlled space. Facilities is deeply committed to implementing these goals and plays a significant role in the policies, guidelines, and systems that help Northeastern accelerate the greening of all its campuses.

Sustainability factors into all of our decisions and plans for services, building designs, and product choices, but it takes a shared responsibility from the entire community. It is fun and it’s easy to get involved!

Get Involved and Help Our Campus Stay Green

Some green actions you can accomplish through the Work Request System are as followed:

• Trash Pickup / Empty	• Request/Replace Recycling Bin	• Request Cardboard Hamper
• Replace Spent Lightbulbs	• Schedule Battery Pickup	• TBD

Asset Disposition Form
The Asset Disposition Form (ADF) MUST be completed for the disposal/recycling of all electronic equipment which includes desk top computers, laptops, printers, smartphones and tablets.

Once the form is completed, email OIS@northeastern.edu to coordinate pickup of the item(s). Include in the email:

Your contact information (name, email, phone number)
A description of the item
The address where the item is located, including the building name and room number

Don’t throw out your used toner and ink jet printer cartridges! Recycling them is easy at Northeastern, just follow the steps below:

Remove new cartridge from the box, and place the used cartridge in the box.
Remove and recycle any return address labels you find inside the box.
Download the recycle ink and toner cartridges label HERE
Attach the label to the box and tape up the box.
Leave the box in your usual pick-up area for mail services.

For additional questions, contact Denise Young in Procurement Services

Denise Young
Phone: 617-373-2494
Email: d.young@northeastern.edu
Subject Lines in the email should say “Questions about recycling”

Northeastern University Update on Sustainability 2005 – 2025
This brief booklet summarizes the university’s commitment to sustainability, our achievements to date, and outlines goals for the next ten years.

Guideline for Capital Project Design & Implementation
This document describes the guidelines pertaining to implementation of the university’s capital program to convey information regarding university preferences, practices, and purchases for design, construction, and related projects. The NU project team is responsible for working with consultants to confirm the extent to which each project can best meet these guidelines.

Northeastern Design Standards
This document is a resource for managers, architects, engineers and contractors working on Northeastern University construction and renovation projects. Sustainability resources on Energy Efficiency, Water Consumption, and Waste Removal can be found on Page 21.

Sustainable Practices and Operations Guideline
This guideline was developed to help institute practices that reduce waste, and minimize environmental impacts.

Sustainable Action Plan: Roadmap towards Carbon Neutrality
As part of its 2007 signatory commitment to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), NU adopted two new policies that are being implemented.

American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment
Northeastern is a founding signatory of this nationwide initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions among institutions of higher learning.

College Sustainability Report Card
the Sustainable Endowments Institutes, one of the most rigorous assessors of sustainability practices on college campuses, awarded Northeastern one of the highest ratings in North America on its 2011 College Sustainability Report Card.

Green Metric Ranking of World Universities
The University was cited as part of the Princeton Review’s Green Honor Roll 2009-2012- “America’s Greenest College”, and #3 worldwide out of 301 schools by the Green Metric Ranking of World Universities.

Clinton Global Initiative University
Northeastern is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative University Network.

Green Chemistry Commitment
Northeastern signed the Green Chemistry Commitment promising to graduate chemistry majors proficient in the theory and practice of developing environmentally responsible chemicals.

Sustainable Printing Tips
Smart tips on how you can be sustainable while printing.

MEP Standards
TBD

October 2019
Featuring tips on drinking hot and cold water, Eco-Ambassador meeting, and information on fall events.

August 2019
Featuring tips on Local Seasonal Produce, Non-Toxic Crayons for Toddlers, Seasonal Change, and information on fall events.

Frequently Asked Questions
For a list of frequently asked questions regarding sustainability at Northeastern.

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2020
Join the Center for Entrepreneurship Education with festivities all week.

Starting on November 16th, through November 20th, the Center for Entrepreneurship Education will be hosting a series of events to celebrate innovators that bring big ideas to life. These event provide opportunities to inspire, connect, and engage. We hope to see you there!

Trash Dance Movie Discussion
Snell Library Kanopy Streaming November 17th, 2020 from 12:00 pm – 1 pm EDT

Celebrate America Recycles Day with the Trash Dance Movie discussion hosted by the Office of Sustainability and Trash 2 Treasure. The movie “Trash Dance” is available to stream from 11/7 – 11/17 through the SNELL Library Kanopy Streaming. The discussion will he held virtually through Zoom. Contact sustainability@northeastern.edu for more information and for registration.

Sophie Egan – How to be a Conscious Eater
Join NU Dining for a virtual cooking demo and book discussion November 20th, 2020 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT

Organized into four categories—food produced by plants, by animals, by factories, by restaurant kitchens—How to be a Conscious Eater covers everything: tips for buying produce, diet and cancer risks, the truth of sell-by dates, cutting down on food waste, the great protein myth, and much more.

Last Fall Student Committee Meeting
December 1st, 2020 from 12:00 pm – 1 pm EDT

Join the Student Committee Meeting to wrap up the Fall semester and discuss ideas for the spring. The discussion will he held virtually through Zoom. Contact sustainability@northeastern.edu for more information and for registration.

Office of Sustainability Fall 2020 Weekly Drop In Sessions
Join The Office of Sustainability for a weekly Q&A Every Wednesday at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT

Northeastern Students, Faculty and Staff are welcome to join this weekly drop in session to discuss campus sustainability. Contact sustainability@northeastern.edu for more information and for registration. Sessions start on 8/26/2020 and continue through 10/14/2020.

Office of Sustainability Fall 2020 Student Committee
Join The Office of Sustainability for Student Committee Meetings biweekly on Tuesdays at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT

Northeastern Students, and Student Group Representatives are invited to biweekly meetings to discuss sustainability ideas. Contact sustainability@northeastern.edu for more information and registration. Sessions start on 9/22/2020 and continue through 12/1/2020.

Trash Dance
Garrison, Andrew. Trash Dance. Boston, MA: Andrew Garrison/PBS International, 2012.

Choreographer Allison Orr finds beauty and grace in garbage trucks, and in the unseen men and women who pick up our trash. Filmmaker Andrew Garrison follows Orr as she rides along with Austin sanitation workers on their daily routes to observe and later convince them to perform a most unlikely spectacle.