Sustainability

Who We Are

To live and work sustainably means to perpetuate the health and welfare of people, economies, and the environment. Sustainability is about ensuring that all people - today and into the future - can live in healthy communities and participate in productive local economies without sacrificing environmental integrity. It’s a simple yet powerful concept that ties together human happiness and well-being with the quality and health of environmental systems. Thus, sustainability issues incorporate such wide-ranging topics as biodiversity loss, climate change, social justice, and more.

West Chester University seeks to be a leader in local, regional, and global sustainability efforts. This website documents the university’s efforts in sustainability and provides numerous resources for individuals, organizations, and communities.

 Join us as we carry out the single most critical task of the 21st century!


photo of parking day 2023 septa mobile key card truckSustainable Commuting Options at WCU
On Campus Gardens
Gordon Natural Area
Digital Commons Sustainable Research and Creative Activities at WCU
A group of 4 Sustainability Peer Educators (SPE's) smiling around a tableSustainability Peer Educators (SPEs)
Two people at a table smiling and looking engaged as the person behind the tbale talks to themSustainability Council
Green Office Program Logo Green Office Program
Two students using binoculars look up, trying to spot birds.Bird Walks in the Gordon Natural Area

 

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Visit the WCU Online Thrift Store!

Browse the inventory of WCU's online thrift store and request items for delivery. All items and delivery are FREE! Have clothes you'd like to donate? Bins are located in residence halls and the Office of Sustainability.

 

WCU Sustainability & Sycamore. Personal Electronics Recycling at WCU. Recycle your personal electronics (NOT university owned) at Sykes Student Union and the Francis Harvey Green Library. Accepted Items: Desktops and laptops, tablets, stereo systems, printers, batteries, VCR and DVD players, cameras, keyboards and mice, handheld devices, phones, and more! Things to know: R2v3 and NAID-AAA certified, Certifies responsible recycling practices and data destruction, and prioritizing reuse with recycling as a last resort. Click for PDF.

Electronics Recycling
at WCU

Recycle your personal electronics at Sykes Student Union and Francis Harvey Green Library! Accepted items include laptops, tablets, printers, batteries, cameras, and more! Be sure to check Sycamore's full list of accepted items before donating.

News and Upcoming Events

 Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar. WCU Office of Sustainability.

Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar

We had an amazing semester of presentations in our Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar, as always. Thank you so much to our presenters, who shared a diverse range of research and practice! And thank you to our co-sponsors, the Sustainability Council's Scholarly and Creative Activities Committee and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Watch recordings from this semester on our YouTube channel and on the library's Digital Commons site.

 
 

Certifications and Memberships

Accredited Arboretum Level II ArbNet

ArbNet

US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools 2023

GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS 2023

AASHE: The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education

AASHE

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