Rutgers University is a national leader in recycling and sustainability. Institutional Planning and Operations is proud to manage these programs. With a mix of urban campuses and campuses with wetlands, we approach each campus differently but with the common goals of reducing waste and reducing our carbon footprint.
To learn more about Rutgers University Sustainability please follow the links below:
- Energy Conservation
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Energy and Sustainability Data
Consumption Production Fiscal Year
Solar panels
Rutgers University is proud to have established the largest solar canopy in the nation. The 32 acre solar canopy provides 8.8 megawatts of power, which translates to about $1.2 million in electricity. The canopy provides about 60% of Livingston Campus' power needs.
- Green Infrastructure
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Green Buildings
Rutgers University has several LEED certified and LEED equivalent buildings on campus. Some of these buildings include the Academic Building, Honors College, Sojourner Truth Apartments, Rutgers Business School on Livingston Campus, Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, and many more.
Green Additions
The New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health located on Cook campus boasts one of the state’s largest living biowalls. The living wall grows over 70 species of plants.
Cook’s Market at Rutgers Gardens claims the University’s first green roof. The roof will have many benefits for the environment including: help attract and feed pollinators; reduce and slow stormwater runoff; reduce radiant heat (urban heating effect); and improve availability of food for bats.Greenhouses
- Recycling
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Why recycle? Of course it’s good for the environment but there is more. Every day we encounter hundreds of items that can be recycled, and by recycling we use fewer raw materials, which in turn saves time, energy, and money.
For a successful program, you must recycle the right items.
“Wishcycling” or placing an item in the recycling bin when you are not sure it is recyclable only leads to contamination. Contamination increases the cost to sort and may ruin the good recyclables. Recycle right! Learn what can and can’t be recycled here at Rutgers. The Rutgers recycling program is “Single Stream” meaning you can place plastic bottles and containers (#1, 2 & 5), aluminum, glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard in the same container. By recycling right, you can be part of the solution and help lead Rutgers to a sustainable future! - Grounds
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Stormwater Management
Rutgers University Facilities approaches stormwater management in a sustainable and ecologically friendly manner. The green infrastructure approach considers stormwater management as a part of a broader ecological systems approach using a combination of bioengineering techniques and native landscape practices within the campus context. Examples of this approach used on campus include receiving, retaining, and filtering stormwater in a way that may preserve or mimic natural hydrological patterns and creating natural habitat for diverse ecosystems by allowing natural succession of native plants that provide habitat and stormwater filtration.
- Sustainable Initiatives
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Rutgers University has several sustainable initiatives from water efficiency and composting projects, to residence hall recycling competitions. We also have a bike rental program and bike friendly campuses. Most recently, Rutgers has added environmentally friendly e-scooters.
Recycling at Rutgers
Why recycle? Of course it’s good for the environment but there is more. Every day we encounter hundreds of items that can be recycled, and by recycling we use fewer raw materials, which in turn saves time, energy, and money.
For a successful program, you must recycle the right items.
“Wishcycling” or placing an item in the recycling bin when you are not sure it is recyclable only leads to contamination. Contamination increases the cost to sort and may ruin the good recyclables. Recycle right! Learn what can and can’t be recycled here at Rutgers. The Rutgers recycling program is “Single Stream” meaning you can place plastic bottles and containers (#1, 2 & 5), aluminum, glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard in the same container. By recycling right, you can be part of the solution and help lead Rutgers to a sustainable future!
