Sustainability at Princeton
The University has ongoing and new initiatives in design and construction, dining services, purchasing, waste management, waste minimization and recycling, energy and water conservation, grounds maintenance and custodial services, outreach, and curricula.
Princeton Sustainability Committee:
Princeton Sustainability Committee (formerly the Princeton Environmental Oversight Committee, PEOC) was formed in 2002. This group of staff, students, and faculty is a forum for exchanging ideas and introducing new environmental initiatives.
Sustainability Manager:
Shana Weber joined the University staff in 2006 to fill this recently created position to oversee all sustainability initiatives on campus and provide leadership in comprehensive sustainability planning for all aspects of University operations. Email Shana
Campus & Community
Sustainability crosses political, social, administrative, and economic boundaries. By improving and enhancing the function of natural systems on campus, the University is contributing to an improved overall environment for everyone. Maintaining positive and productive relationships with the Borough and Township of Princeton are important elements of the total sustainability of the campus and University.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is: providing for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the ability of future generations of humans and other species to provide for themselves.
A sustainable approach is one which can be carried out perpetually without negative environmental effects or impossibly high costs. Today sustainability is driven by the global challenge of human-induced climate change and the need to stabilize and subsequently reduce greenhouse gas emissions, most notably carbon dioxide. Sustainability requires that multiple aspects of society be included in the solution, including economic development, environment, food, transportation, energy, education, and social organization.
Photos: Courtesy of the Princeton University Office of Communications and Campus Plan consultants.
© 2006 The Trustees of Princeton University. Last update: December 20, 2006