Loyola University Chicago

Sustainability Committee

Example Projects

What follows is a list of ideas, some of which have been successful projects.  This is not an exhaustive list.


Outreach and Engagement

  • Event and speaker – Funding provides travel and honorarium as well as marketing, food, and materials (e.g. WaterWeek or Zero Waste athletic event).
  • Conference – Funding provides travel and outreach for Loyola community post-conference.
  • Community partnerships – Funding supports events or workdays off-campus.

Infrastructure

  • Garden or landscape project – Funding supports native, edible or educational gardens. Anything ‘living’ has additional considerations and scrutiny.
  • Equipment – Funding supports the purchase of equipment that facilitates sustainability improvements on campus.
  • Feasibility study for potential infrastructure – Funding supports studies that document the financial and environmental feasibility of facility improvements.

Research

  • Study – There are many sustainability projects that require preliminary studies on the impact and best approach. (e.g. water conservation behavior change, waste audits).
  • Survey – An aspect of considering potential change is to explore the interests and affinities of the Loyola community.  (e.g. commuter options survey).

The following projects have been advanced through the Sustainability Committee:

  • GoSolar – A student campaign to explore and install on-site photovoltaics.
  • Cycle and Recycle Center – A student initiative to install and operate a ‘Hard-to-Recycle Items’ collection spot at Lake Shore Campus.
  • REALWind – A student initiative to monitor and analyze wind resources on the Lake Shore Campus.
  • Anti-Idling Policy – A staff initiative to reduce vehicle idling on Loyola campuses.
  • Air-Travel Emissions website – A new resource to help members of the Loyola community recognize and reduce their air travel emissions.
  • EV Charger Strategy - A plan to increase the electric vehicle charging resources available at Loyola. 
  • Loyola Dining Sustainability Impact Plan - Aramark’s sustainability plan for Loyola.