Mission
The Stony Brook University Office of Sustainability works as a proponent for positive change by partnering with the university community to help develop a sustainable culture. The Office of Sustainability utilizes the campus as a real world setting for student interaction and develops sustainable programs and services in order to decrease the University's impact on the natural environment. The Office serves as a resource for best practices of sustainable solutions that look to increase operating efficiencies, promote environmental awareness and conserve resources. Focusing on advocacy, policy development, reporting and communication, the Office utilizes a multifaceted approach to increase the University's sustainability programs.
History
2019 to Now: Daring to Be the Sustainable Future
With a commitment to sustainable solutions, the Stony Brook University Office of Sustainability continues to be a leader in environmental stewardship. In recent years, SBU has been awarded and recognized for their initiatives such as:
- Exceeding the goal of a 20 percent reduction in energy use intensity (EUI) by reaching its mark on April 1, 2019, a year in advance of the program's April 1, 2020 target date outlined in NYS Executive Order 88
- Recipriant of the 2020 Innovation Award and Smart Energy Analytics Campaign Award
- Earned the Outstanding Commitment to Energy Efficiency Award from the New York Power Authority in 2022
- Launched a new smart irrigation system in 2023
- Integrated sustainable solutions into the 2023 Strategic Plan
- Selected by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Trust for Governors Island to serve as the anchor institution of the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island
To stay updated with SBU sustainability news and initiatives, visit our In The News webpage on our website.
2011 to 2019: Office of Sustainability
In 2011, SBU formed the Office of Sustainability to continue its focus towards establishing a sustainable culture on campus. Through the creation of the office, the University was able to achieve:
- Developed the popular Wolf Ride Bike Share system in 2011
- Pursued an aggressive energy reduction program in 2012 leading to an annual savings on electricity totalling nearly $12 million in annual costs and a greenhouse gas reduction of more than 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide
- Recognized as a Tree Campus Higher Education Institution since 2013
- Participated in Car Free Day since 2013 with a first place win in the 2022 511NY Rideshare annual Car Free Day Long Island pledge contest
- Named a Groundwater Guardian Green Site each year since 2014
- Designated Bike Friendly campus since 2014
- Implemented new EV charging stations in 2014
- Partnered with the FSA in 2018 to introduce the Fill It Forward program
2006 to 2011: Environmental Stewardship Office
Stony Brook University formed the Environmental Stewardship Office in order to promote and implement University energy conservation, carbon footprint reduction, decreasing operational expenses, recycling and alternative forms of energy. Under the direction of Environmental Stewardship, the University instituted a number of initiatives which served to quantify and lower the University's impact on the environment. Major sustainability initiatives instituted by Environmental Stewardship include:
- SBU signs the American College and University Presidents' Climate Committment (ACUPCC) in 2007
- Completion of the University's 2008 & 2010 Greenhouse Gas Reports
- Completion of the University's 2010 Climate Action Plan
- Comprehensive Recycling Program
- Photovoltaic Power at Research & Support Services Building
- Food Waste Composter at Roth Cafè
- Energy Performance Contract
- LEED New Building Certifications
- Building Level Metering
- Replacement Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Systems
1987 to Now: Recycling & Resource Management
Stony Brook University began its recycling program in 1987 in response to the Solid Waste Management Act of 1988, which attempted to reduce the amount of waste produced by Long Island. The Act had a 50% overall reduction rate as a target and recycling was the major vehicle for this change. The University first launched a recycling program that was focused on collecting paper and cardboard, however as the University evolved, the type of materials included in recycling grew to include bottles and cans, plastic types #1-7, woody debris and yard waste, scrap metal, clothing, motor oil, lead-acid batteries, fluorescent bulbs and printer/toner and ink cartridges.
Under the Division of Facilities & Services, the identity of the Department was expanded to encompass things in addition to waste and recycling - specifically energy, water, green buildings and buying recycled products. New York State enacted Executive Orders (142 &111) which expanded the expectation put upon State Institutions to make their agencies more environmentally friendly. The Office of Sustainability / Recycling & Resource Management is responsible for providing quality service with its recycling operations as well as performing community education and outreach.
In addition to recycling, the Office of Sustainability / Recycling & Resource Management also monitors and oversees the services provided for University waste removal. Utilizing a vehicle scale located down in Lot 40, the Office monitors the weight of waste, recycling rates and all infrastructure required for such operations. As of 2013, there are approximately 100+ front-end dumpsters, 10 cardboard compactors and a variable number of roll-off containers that exist on campus at any point and time.