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

Ongoing

9/9-12/2 Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar

The Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar Begins 9/9!

 

Join us for an exciting semester of presentations beginning 9/9 at 12pm in Sykes 255 A/B and on Zoom. More information coming soon!

 

 September

9/16 Sustainability Showcase

A student looks through a rack of clothing from the WCU thrift store, pausing on a cherry-patterned blouse.

Want to learn more about sustainability on campus?

Join us for the Sustainability Showcase on September 16th from 11am-1pm in Sykes Ballrooms.

You'll learn about how sustainability is practiced on campus and how you can get involved. Join us for snacks, crafts, and free pot a plant!

9/18 Park(ing) Day

A student sits behind a table offering free green tea as part of Park(ing) Day 2025. The table is set up in a parking space, and other installations can be seen in the background, as can a WCU shuttle bus driving by.

Join us on September 18th from 8am-2pm on Church Street as we turn parking spaces into parks and other installations as part of the celebration of International Park(ing) Day.

9/22 SECC Green Roof Tour

People explore the green roof on the FHG library

Explore sustainability on campus this fall!


Join us for a tour of the green roof on the SECC building on 9/22 from 12-1pm. Meet at 12pm in the SECC cafeteria entrance by the elevators.

October

10/22 Plastic  and Health Panel

Panelists from the 2025 Panel on Plastics sit behind a table, smiling at the camera.

Learn more about the impact of plastics on your health and the environment.

In partnership with the West Chester Green Team, learn more from three panelists on the impact of plastics on health. Join us for a panel discussion on 10/22 with Erika Prinz Ben-Zur, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine; 
Elliott Arnold, Professor, West Chester University Earth and Space Sciences; and Megan Fork, Professor, West Chester University Biology. The WCGT Environmental Leadership Award to be presented to Rachael Griffith, Sustainability Director, Chester County Planning Commission.

Enjoy light refreshments and conversation at 6:00pm in the Business and Public Management Center Room 102.

Panel discussion and short awards ceremony by West Chester Green Team begins at 6:30pm in the Business and Public Management Center Room 116.

 

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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