University of Iowa Campus Sustainability Tour
Highlighting sustainability in academics and research, facilities, transportation, housing and dining, and student activities
1 | Academics
The Sustainability Certificate is one of the most popular certificates among recent graduates. Take a trip around campus to see how UI students engage in sustainability:
Biology Building East's green house is a great study spot and resource for students to research plant life.
2 | Research
More than $135 million in funding for Sustainability Research between 2010-19. 1,489+ sustainability focused publications from faculty. An interdisciplinary water research cluster.
You can find a member of UI faculty or staff working on a topic related to sustainability using the Sustainability Scientists and Scholars database.
The Office of Sustainability and the Environment encourages you to use this resource.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: IIHR - Hydroscience & Engineering
The University of Iowa is internationally renowned for its research in hydroscience. IIHR research supports watershed management in 9 watersheds through the Iowa Watershed Approach, leads the way in water quality research in the state, and builds flood resilient communities through the Iowa Flood Center.
Watch: A Century of Hydroscience at Iowa
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Iowa Superfund Research Program
The Iowa Superfund Research Program is a worldwide leader in the research of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. ISRP is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The program is actively researching PCBs impacts to human health and evaluating remediation strategies.
Check out this recent article from The Daily Iowan announcing the UI's recent $11.4 million grant renewal to study the effects of PCBs.
3 | Sustainable Campus Operations: Facilities Management & Transportation
LEED Certified Buildings on Main and West Campus
The University is using Miscanthus as part of its biomass energy mix that will help the University meet its energy and emissions goals. Read more about the University's unique energy solution.
See why the University of Iowa earned a Tree Campus USA designation.
The University of Iowa is designated as a Bicycle Friendly University. For a map of the University's available Bicycle Infrastructure please reference UI Facilities Management's map .
Learn about sustainable energy innovation two blocks from the Campus Rec Center.
4 | Housing and Dining
Housing
The Residence Hall Composting Program is an increasingly popular option among students living in the residence halls who want to take simple, rewarding steps to reduce their waste. Students can learn about the program here.
- Burge Loading Dock
- Hillcrest Loading Dock
- Catlett Loading Dock
Campus Compost Drop-Off Sites:
Donate Don't Dump is a long-standing and successful program that diverts a substantial amount of waste from the landfill by giving students an opportunity to donate unwanted items from residence halls.
Dining
- 450,000 pounds of food scraps composted each year
- Work with over 20 local vendors to provide locally-sourced, fresh food
- Our food pulpers save 2.25 million gallons of water each year
Food Pulper Demo
Between 2017-19 1,853 students donated their meal swipes to help combat food insecurity on campus through Hawkeye Meal Share.
5 | Student Activities
STUDENT ORG: University of Iowa Environmental Coalition
UIEC has an outstanding reputation for environmental advocacy and protection through education, activism, and enjoyment. UIEC hosts exciting lecture series from leaders in the fields of environmental science and sustainability and offers many volunteer opportunities for students to engage in. One of their most popular events is the Treasure Trade which is a massive clothes swap on campus. They host reusable bag and reusable bottle exchanges, outdoor cleanups, outdoor trips, and much more. Join them here!
UI Environmental Coalition lines up for the Homecoming Parade.
UIEC has organized many successful outdoor outings and volunteer events.
STUDENT ORG: University of Iowa Gardeners
The University of Iowa Gardeners maintain a 1/3 acre garden on Hawkeye Park Road. The organization hosts many active work days in the summer and is open to the public. To help combat food insecurity in the community, harvests from the garden are often donated to the Food Pantry at Iowa or Johnson County Crisis Center. Join them here!
A colorful harvest from the UI Student Garden.
A successful day at the Student Garden!
Game Day Recycling
Students often participate in Hawkeye Game Day Recycling at Kinnick Stadium, which has achieved a 20-30% waste diversion rate for every home game.
To learn about our other outstanding student organizations focused in sustainability, please visit our website.
