Sustainability

Best Workplaces for Commuters recognized WashU’s Danforth campus for its outstanding commuter benefits that help employees save money, reduce stress, and create positive change in the St. Louis and bi-state areas. “We’re thrilled to recognize WashU as a 2025 Best Workplace for Commuters. They’re part of an outstanding group of more than 800 organizations transforming […]

s part of the WashU Green Labs Program, WashU is joining the challenge for the first time (officially)! Beginning in January 2025, researchers across the university will have 6 months to earn points by completing actions designed to increase cold storage energy efficiency. View examples of actions to gain points below.

Long a beloved spot for intramural sports, pickup Frisbee and campus traditions such as the Activities Fair, Mudd Field soon will be lined by dozens of shade trees and will feature a new “social green,” a shady retreat for students to swing on hammocks and relax between classes. A new pathway will connect the north and south sides of campus.

WashU’s environment includes numerous offices and labs. When considering the university’s environmental impact, these spaces are important to consider, as they consume energy, use materials, and generate waste. By certifying with the Green Office Program, employees across the university can make a measurable difference in reducing their office’s impact, all while supporting the university’s broader sustainability goals.

The League of American Bicyclists, the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike, has honored WashU’s Danforth Campus with a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of the institution’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.

WashU has joined a regional effort to collect a hard-to-recycle material: election yard signs, now through Nov. 14. The program also will accept departments’ corrugated plastic signs and metal stakes.

Level III arboreta must have at least 500 distinct species of trees; WashU has approximately 750, including 140 of the 150 species native to Missouri. In total, WashU is home to roughly 6,500 trees — 2,000 more trees than just five years ago. To qualify for Level 3, arboreta must meet multiple criteria, such as offering substantial educational programming, collaborating with others and sharing data. WashU’s arboretum is one of 48 recognized as Level III across the world.

For the second straight year, WashU has won the Citizens for Modern Transit College Transit Challenge. The annual competition encourages students, staff and faculty from local colleges to log their rides on MetroLink and Metro buses for bragging rights and the College Transit Trophy.

Washington University in St. Louis has acquired three electric shuttles as part of its Danforth Campus fleet.