Take a closer look at our sustainability efforts

Emory is committed to serving as a catalyst for sustainability in our immediate community, the region and beyond. Through our sustainability initiatives on campus, we hope to set an example for an ethical approach to creating healthy and productive places to live, learn and work. Learn more about Emory's sustainability efforts.

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Title Initiative Type Audience Description
2023-2024 OSI Combined Incentives Funds ApplicationFormsThis year, all Incentives Funds applicants should use this application to apply for General Sustainability & Social Justice, Green Labs, and Green Offices Incentives Fund small grants. These three Funds are intended to support supports research, project implementation, and the development of new rituals to promote sustainability and social justice on Emory’s campuses and healthcare spaces. All faculty, staff, and students at Emory – including Emory Healthcare and Oxford College – are eligible to apply for funding. Team applications are encouraged. All student applications must include approval from a faculty advisor. Applications are open and well close Monday, September 25, 2023, at 8 am.
Biohazard Decontamination form, FormsWithout this certification as proof of decontamination, the Department of Transportation can fine you (the customer), the transportation company, as well as Thermo Fisher Scientific for transporting medical waste without proper documentation.
Climate Action Plan for Emory College of Arts and Sciences, , , , , Documents & ReportsAt the request of the Office of the Provost, Emory College convened a committee of faculty, staff, and students to create a Climate Action Plan for the College, in order to ensure that the College plays its role in supporting the University’s bold goal of reducing total carbon emissions by 20% by 2020, and by 50% by 2050.
Climate Action Plan for Goizueta Business School, , , , , Documents & ReportsGoizueta's plans for a more sustainable campus through education, construction, and reduction.
Climate Action Plan for Laney Graduate School, , , , Documents & ReportsThe LGS has identified four main areas to encourage and support sustainability efforts: Event Policies, Education and Awareness, Transportation-Related Energy Use; and Building Efforts.
Eating Sustainably, , Documents & ReportsBooklet with 16 short summaries of the key issues of eating healthy, local, & sustainable food, prepared by the Emory Sustainable Food Committee.
Electronic Waste RecyclingDocuments & ReportsLearn how to properly recycle electronics at the Emory Library rather than throwing them into the landfill.
Emory Healthcare Sustainability Council Mission & GoalsDocuments & ReportsHealthcare Staff, Hospital VisitorsThe Emory Healthcare Sustainability Council was established in September 2009 (formerly the Sustainability in Health Sciences Task Force) to develop a set of recommendations to guide senior administrators in setting goals and year-to-year strategies that will improve current practices or implement new best practices in sustainability for the Woodruff Health Sciences Center.
Emory Sustainability Vision and Strategic Plan for 2015-2025Documents & ReportsOur vision for Emory is to be a model of transformative practices and sustainable choices at every level. From the copy room to the operating room, from the class room to the residence hall—among academic units, healthcare units, and operational units—Emory will more deeply engage the challenges of sustainability and expand our leadership in higher education.
Emory Undergraduate Student Sustainability Guide 2024
Emory University Climate Action PlanDocuments & ReportsClimate change is perhaps the greatest challenge to confront humanity in our lifetime, with the well-being of billions of people at risk. Emory University created a climate action plan adopted in 2011 to guide the University toward carbon reduction goals.
Emory University STARS ReportDocuments & ReportsHealthcare Staff, University VisitorsThe Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS®) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to gauge relative progress toward sustainability. STARS was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community.
Emory University Waste Management PolicyDocuments & ReportsUniversity VisitorsEmory’s vision is to be a model of transformative practices and sustainable choices at every level. Given Emory University’s 2025 Sustainability Vision and commitment to divert 95% of its waste from municipal landfills, this University-wide policy establishes those infrastructure and behavioral changes necessary to achieve this goal.
Emory’s History of Waste Diversion and Recycling by Amelia HowellDocuments & ReportsLearn about the history of waste diversion and recycling efforts on Emory's campus from its beginnings in the late 1980s to 2017. This report provides insight into Emory Recycles and the Recycling Center, the emergence of composting on campus, and the adoption of Emory's goal to divert 95% of its waste from landfills by 2025. [Keywords: recycling, zero waste initiative, waste reduction, composting]
Emory’s Student Employee of the Year: Congratulations to Kristen KaufmanDocuments & ReportsKristen Kaufman, OSI Zero Waste Intern, was selected as the 2019 Student Employee of the Year.
Everything You Wanted to Know about Running an Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) Freezer Efficiently but Were Afraid to Ask…, , , , , , , Documents & ReportsUniversity Faculty and StaffEverything You Wanted to Know about Running an Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) Freezer Efficiently but Were Afraid to Ask…
FY2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Full Report, , , , , Documents & ReportsCurrent or Prospective Students, Healthcare Staff, University Faculty and StaffEmory regularly evaluates its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or carbon footprint, in order to monitor its efforts to reduce emissions to net-zero by 2050 through strategies that entail targeted mitigation, behavior change, clean and renewable energy sources, and new innovations. GHG emissions reporting began in FY10, with 2005 as the original baseline year, and subsequent inventories have been conducted in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Green Labs at Emory One-Pager, , , , , , , , , Documents & ReportsOpen and save or print this one-page information sheet about how to participate in the Green Labs at Emory program.
Green Labs Certification Checklist, , , , , , FormsHealthcare Staff, University Faculty and StaffLearn what sustainable actions your lab can adopt, and tell us what you’re already doing, by filling out the Green Labs at Emory Checklist and consulting the companion Green Labs at Emory Guidance Document.
Green Labs Certification Guidance Document, , , , , , GuidesHealthcare Staff, University Faculty and StaffConsulting this companion Green Labs at Emory Guidance Document when filling out your Green Labs Checklist for certification. This Guidance Document provides instruction for how to implement each action and justification for why each action is important.
Green Offices at Emory Certification Checklist, , , , , , , , FormsHealthcare Staff, University Faculty and StaffThis document is only for your reference. Please fill out the Green Office checklist on Microsoft Forms.
Green Offices at Emory Certification Guidance Document, , , , , , , , , , GuidesUse this Guidance document as a resource when filling out your Green Offices at Emory checklist. It provides information on how to achieve each action and justification for why each action is important.
Green Offices at Emory Fact SheetDocuments & ReportsFind out exactly what Green Offices at Emory are and why you should get involved!
Green Offices At Emory Guidance DocumentFormsThe main topics covered in the Green Office checklist are: Energy Efficiency, Conservation, Waste, Purchasing, Meetings & Events, Safe & Healthy Office Environments, Communications & Participation. Find out exactly what each of these involves.
Healthcare Sustainability: Why We CareDocuments & ReportsHealthcare Staff, Hospital VisitorsEmory University values sustainability in our Healthcare. Use this document to see our goals, accomplishments, and rationals.
How to Plan a Sustainable Event_OSI 2020, Documents & Reports, GuidesUniversity Faculty and StaffThe Office of Sustainability Initiatives presented this at the 2020 Sustainable Events Symposium as a guide to planning sustainable events with plant-based catering.
How to Win the International Laboratory Freezer ChallengeDocuments & Reports, External SitesUniversity Faculty and StaffHow to win the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge
Impact Report Community SectionDocuments & ReportsEvery year, Emory evaluates its role and influence in the region, considering overall impact on the Emory and greater Atlanta community. In the most recent Impact Report, several of Emory's sustainability programs were highlighted, including zero landfill waste goals and the Piedmont Project.
Info Sheet: Animal Welfare, , , Documents & ReportsFive-page summary of animal welfare concerns in conventional agriculture (including poultry, veal, swine, and cattle) and the alternatives, prepared by the Emory Sustainable Food Committee.
Info Sheet: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), , , Documents & ReportsTwo-page review of what are considered to be genetically-modified organisms and the current science & controversies around biotechnology, prepared by the Emory Sustainable Food Committee.
Info Sheet: Sustainable Food Purchasing and the Georgia Economy, , , , Documents & ReportsTwo-page review of the ways sustainable food purchases can affect the existing Georgia agricultural economy, including the role of institutional purchasing, prepared by the Emory Sustainable Food Committee.
Institutionalization of Change: A History of Emory University’s Office of Sustainability Initiatives by Kristen Kaufman, Documents & ReportsUniversity VisitorsRead about the founding of the Office of Sustainability Initiatives in 2006, both the logistical aspects— OSI's staffing and governance structures— and programmatic aspects— creation of the Sustainability Incentives Fund, website, campus policies on transportation & water, strategic plans, and other efforts up to 2017. [Keywords: history, policy, staffing]
Lab Recycling EquipmentDocuments & ReportsAttached is a placeholder document to outline how lab waste station equipment will be assigned to individual labs.
Lab Recycling Process MapDocuments & ReportsPlease consult the Lab Recycling Process Map for detailed information on how to sort laboratory waste. The attached Lab Recycling Process Map relays information on sorting waste for hazardous and regulated materials as well as for recyclable materials.
Lab Recycling SOP_RSPH_5.16.19Documents & ReportsAttached is the final Lab Recycling SOP for Rollins School of Public Health, updated 5/16/19.
Lab Waste Policy Presentation – Lab Personnel, , GuidesLabratory recycling presentation given in May 2019.
Lab Waste Policy Training – Service StaffGuidesLaboratory recycling and composting training given to BRS staff by Rollins School of Public Health in Spring, 2019
Recycling and Composting at Emory UniversityGuidesCurrent or Prospective Students, University VisitorsLandfills have negative social, economic, and environmental impacts on neighboring lower-income, historically disadvantaged communities. Landfills contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and can leak harmful toxins into the surrounding environment. Learn about recycling and composting at Emory with this helpful brochure!
Resilience Framework for Emory from Task Force, , , , Documents & ReportsApplying the resilience framework to Emory by the Climate Action and Resilience Task Force.
Rose Library Climate Action Plan, , , , , , Documents & ReportsThe staff of the Rose Library created a Climate Action Plan to outline how the library can change internal practices to align with the University’s sustainability goals. The action plan targets the reduction of emissions and waste, promotes climate resilience as part of workplace operations, and integrates sustainability as a factor in planning and decision making.
State of Sustainability in Emory HealthcareDocuments & ReportsHealthcare Staff, Hospital VisitorsEmory Healthcare sustainability goals and accomplishments as of January 2018
Student Sustainability Showcase Virtual Guide 2022GuidesCurrent or Prospective StudentsUse this virtual guide to explore opportunities to get involved with sustainability at Emory, then pursue those which most interest you. Take part in our campus culture of sustainability by participating in an OSI program, joining a sustainability-related student organization, and/or exploring Emory's academic offerings in the disciplines of the environment and sustainability!
Sustainability in Campus Life: The Changing of Behavior by Jamie NadlerDocuments & ReportsThis report reviews the sustainability programming and policies in Emory’s student life, including the “living green” hall, recycling in residential life, staff training and culture change in residence life, the student sustainability forum, and additional student activities. [Keywords: sustainability campus life, sustainability and student life]
Sustainability RepresentativesDocuments & ReportsSustainability Representatives have been named for each of Emory's major buildings. Reach out to this person for questions, feedback, and ideas for sustainability innovations in your building.
Sustainability Vision for Emory 2006Documents & ReportsA sustainable Emory will be part of a healthy ecosystem; we seek to reduce the University’s harmful impacts on the environment and contribute to regeneration of the ecosystem. A thriving economic sector will provide equitable opportunities for satisfying livelihoods and study through a safe, healthy, high quality of life for current and future generations.
This Rose is Green: Embracing Environmental Sustainability in the Rose Library Report and Recommendations, , , , , Documents & ReportsFrom April to September 2019, the Rose Library Environmental Sustainability Task Force drafted the report “This Rose is Green”. The task force used social, environmental, and economic aspects of sustainability to inform their recommendations to the library. They suggested that the Rose Library should create a culture of sustainability, develop green habits, and build resiliency. The committee continues to review and revise This Rose is Green; the last update was in 2021.
Zero Waste Ambassadors Charge Fall 2022- Spring 2023Documents & ReportsCurrent or Prospective Students, Healthcare Staff, University Faculty and Staff, University VisitorsThe ZWAs are a group of student, faculty, and staff volunteers, who are actively willing to champion waste management and reduction in all areas of the Emory experience. They strive to promote a culture at Emory that prioritizes reducing and diverting waste in all decisions that we make as individuals and as a community. You can read more about specific goals of the program this year in the charge.