Sustainability

What is Sustainability?

The environmental usage of sustainability refers to maintaining ecological systems vital to the support of living communities in the present and protecting them for the future. Related discussions typically center on how to make economic systems last longer, in a socially responsible manner in order to have less environmental impact. Thus, the systems we rely on can produce indefinitely, or be "sustainable."

Ecological Footprint

An Ecological Footprint (EF) is a tool that measures how much land and water a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes under prevailing technology. Humanity's EF is over 23% larger than what the planet can regenerate. In other words, humanity now exceeds the planet's capacity to sustain its consumption of renewable resources. By illustrating the least sustainable areas of your lifestyle, the EF provides information about how you can lighten your environmental impact, thereby increasing the quality of life around you by helping to protect the beauty and integrity of Colorado for present and future generations.

Colorado State History and Milestones

• 1999 - 2000 - Recycling bins introduced into the residence halls and a vermicomposting project for food waste is also introduced.
• 2001 - National Wildlife Federation recognizes Colorado State in the Campus Ecology Yearbook as a leading school in energy efficiency and recycling.
• 2003 - The Main Campus Greenhouse wetlands project is completed to help filter sediments and pollutants from storm and waste water.
• 2004 - The University begins a voluntary green power program for on-campus residents.
• 2005 - Colorado State receives the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce Environmental Leader Award.
• 2006 - The University ranks 4th in its second year of participation in RecycleMania.
• 2006 - Colorado State becomes the first university to be awarded LEED CI (Commercial Interior) Silver certification for the renovation of three classrooms in Guggenheim Hall.
• 2006 - The University publishes their first GHG inventory, using a tool provided by the Fort Collins ClimateWise program.
• 2007 - The University places 3rd in Waste Minimization for RecycleMania and 9th overall.
• 2007 - The Transit Center receives LEED Gold certification.
• 2007 - Colorado State is recognized as an EPA Wind Power Partner.
• 2008 - The University ranks 2nd in RecycleMania.
• 2009 - The University installs the first PV system on main campus. At 18.9 kW, it is the largest system in Fort Collins at the time of installation.