Kudos for sustainability

Trinity College recently earned its highest rating on the STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) report, which recognizes sustainability initiatives in higher education using a common set of measurements.

Trinity’s new rating of silver by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) reflects a host of significant achievements undertaken since the College first documented its sustainability activities for the organization in 2019 and earned a bronze rating.

Noted among Trinity’s projects of distinction was the 2023 designation of the 100-acre urban campus as an arboretum by the independent accrediting agency ArbNet. The campus is home to more than 1,500 trees and dozens of tree species spread over about 100 acres.

Other campuswide endeavors include the implementation of a heating and cooling system upgrade, reducing the carbon dioxide emissions by 144 metric tons annually.

Within campus food services, the College implemented a number of programs encouraging use of reusable containers and new filling stations to support the use of reusable water bottles, as well as composting efforts for both pre- and post-consumer waste.

Trinity is encouraging behavior change with the establishment of student eco-rep positions. These peer educators identify and pursue new ideas within the College community. Student-led initiatives include partnering with campus coffee shops to promote the use of reusable containers and challenging sports teams to do away with single-use plastic water bottles at competitions. Pollinator gardens, a campus food pantry, and the reuse of items discarded during move-out are additional successful programs.

“Tapping into the ideas that students bring to the sustainability discussion is critical to continually expand what we do,” said Hayley Berliner, sustainability coordinator. “Not only do students provide thoughtful proposals, they often serve as the best advocates for those ideas.”