Campus Sustainability

Ohio State sustainability efforts are expansive and diverse. This includes creating a campus that is timeless, maintainable and flexible, while improving environmental conditions.

Ohio State is a recognized leader in developing durable solutions to the pressing challenges of sustainability and in evolving a culture of sustainability through collaborative teaching, pioneering research, comprehensive outreach, and innovative practices and policies.

This includes managing our campus resources to explore and solve sustainability challenges that occur in Ohio and around the world. Developing and implementing sustainability solutions on our campuses requires the efforts of numerous university units, including Facilities Operations and Development; Transportation and Traffic Management; Planning, Architecture and Real Estate; Student Life; Athletics; and the Wexner Medical Center.

Current achievements

37% carbon emission reduction since 2015 

13.1% more energy efficient since 2015 

16.2% more water efficient since 2015 

15% ecosystem services improvement since 2020 

3.2% decrease in university fleet carbon emissions per 1,000 miles driven since 2016 

41% landfill waste diversion rate  

Additional highlights

229 million gallon decrease in annual water usage since 2015  

15,936 trees on the Columbus campus  

20.1% of university fleet vehicles run on electric/alternative fuel 

Geothermal well signage

Carbon Neutrality

Achieve carbon neutrality.

Learn more about Carbon Neutrality
energy meter with numbers

Energy Efficiency

Increase building energy efficiency.

Learn more about Energy Efficiency
water flowing from faucet into a glass held by a hand

Water Efficiency

Reduce potable water consumption.

Learn more about Water Efficiency
grassy area with new trees planted and campus buildings in background

Ecosystem Services

Increase ecosystem services.

Learn more about Ecosystem Services
man plugging in an electric vehicle

Fleet Footprint

Reduce fleet carbon footprint.

Learn more about Fleet Footprint
sign saying Zero Waste with compost, trash and recycling bins in background

Zero Waste

Achieve zero waste.

Learn more about Zero Waste
colorful tomatoes on a market table

Food Sourcing

Serve locally and sustainably produced foods.

Learn more about Food Sourcing
red plastic and silver metal reusable drink containers and two black reusable lunch bags

Environmentally Preferred Products

Purchase items with environmental attributes.

Learn more about Environmentally Preferred Products