Sustainability Guide
What are climate change and sustainability?
Let’s start with definitions of climate change and sustainability and explain why they are so important.
Climate change is a long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, this shift has been caused by an increase in human activities that require burning fossil fuels like oil, and gas. Greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere trap the sun’s heat and raise the Earth’s temperature. Climate change can cause the loss of species, issues with agriculture, and the spread of diseases.
Sustainability is the concept of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. It involves finding a balance between natural resource conservation, social equity, and economic prosperity to ensure long-term wellness. Sustainability can be a solution to many environmental concerns such as overconsumption and pollution, and can even mitigate the impacts of climate change.
It is important to adopt sustainable life practices to limit the impacts of climate change. Use this guide to learn more about UD’s sustainability initiatives and how you can help.
Recycling
Blue plus gold equals green! Keep UD trash free and recycle!
What is Recycling?
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into reusable objects to prevent them from being discarded into landfills.
Why is it important?
Recycling helps conserve natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes pollution.
Benefits of recycling
Recycling keeps trash out of landfills, reducing the need for new landfills and helping to preserve natural habitats. Also, recycling has economic value, as it creates jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries and generates revenue from the sale of recycled materials.
Water and Electricity Conservation
There are simple ways you can make a difference.
A reusable water bottle is a great sustainable option compared to plastic water bottles. Water bottle refill stations can be found across campus, including in Perkins Student Center, Trabant University Center, Morris Library, the Lil Bob, and many residence halls.
You can save so much energy by doing the little things: Shutting off lights when you leave the room, unplugging electronics before going on break, and taking shorter showers.
Take Action!
Here are some tips on how you can make sustainable food choices in UD dining facilities:
Eat Less Meat
- Reduce your personal impact by eating less meat. Meat is more energy-intensive to raise than other foods.
- UD dining halls provide vegan stations and plant-forward recipes.
- Keep an eye out for Sustainable Fish Fridays in Caesar Rodney Dining Hall.
Enjoy Coolfood Meals
- Keep an eye out for meals in the dining halls with the Coolfood badge because they are dishes with a low carbon footprint.
- There are at least two Coolfood dishes each meal period.
Join Reuse Pass on GrubHub
- Opt to use the reusable to-go containers available in the dining halls, Greens to Go, and Ecogrounds via the “Reuse Pass” shop in the GrubHub app.
- Make sure to return your containers within three days after use.
Sustainable Dining Initiatives at UD
Hydroponic Towers
Students can get sustainable, organic, and fresh produce grown right on campus from hydroponic towers, which can be found in Caesar Rodney and Pencader dining halls.
Locally Sourced Food
The dining halls commit to use locally sourced and seasonal ingredients grown, raised, or caught within 250 miles when available.
Composting Food Waste
UD partners with Natural Upcycling to collect all food waste produced at UD’s dining halls and student centers. The food waste is delivered to a local anaerobic digester where it is converted into fertilizer and biogas.
Sustainable Transport
Bicycling is a sustainable and effective way to get around town! BikeNewark provides up to date information on bike routes and bike safety. Newark Bike Project provides affordable bike options and accepts donations of older bikes to be fixed and reused.
UD provides buses to and from a wide variety of locations around campus. Download the University’s bus tracking app, ETA Spot, to stay updated on routes. Delaware’s public transportation system, DART, provides routes throughout Newark and surrounding areas. They offer discounted fares for students; just use your UD ONEcard ID.
Need to go farther? The Thomas R. Carper Newark train station is located on STAR Campus, offering service between Newark and Center City Philadelphia weekdays along SEPTA’s Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail line. Limited Amtrak service on the Northeast Regional line is available from the Newark train station.
Electric vehicle charging ports are available in various locations around campus including Hullihen Hall, Pearson Hall, the University Bookstore, Perkins Garage, and the Newark train station.
Second Hand is the Way to Go
An easy way to make more sustainable choices is to buy less stuff! Buy it second hand whenever possible. And remember: if you don’t need it anymore, donate it because someone else might.
UDon’t Need It!
Are you moving out and have furniture you want to donate? Take advantage of the City of Newark’s UDon’t Need It program, which collects furniture in good condition and sells it at low prices to the community. Funds raised are used to sustain the program.
Clothing Coop
Located in the Center for Intercultural Engagement in Perkins Student Center, the Clothing Coop is a second-hand clothing resource for Blue Hens. Come shop clothing for all occasions, including professional attire!
Graduation Gown Recycling
No longer need your graduation gown? Don’t throw it away! Contact sustainability@udel.edu to donate or request a gown.
Go Outside
It’s always a great time to get outside and enjoy nature! Where around campus can you enjoy the outdoors?
White Clay Creek
Less than a 20-minute walk from Trabant University Center is White Clay Creek State Park. You can enter the trails behind the North Campus tennis courts. Several trails connect to Pennsylvania’s White Clay Creek Preserve. The park and the preserve cover more than 5,000 acres of protected open space across two states. Please be aware of information posted on the trails.
Newark Reservoir
The Newark Reservoir is located off Paper Mill Road. Enjoy a relaxing stroll around the reservoir, which is accessible by foot from campus.
UD Botanical Gardens
The University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources supports UD’s Botanical Gardens, which are located around Townsend Hall. Be sure to walk around the gardens and check out the native plants in the Lepidoptera Habitat Trail!
Get Involved
Ready to make an even bigger impact? Here are some on and off campus opportunities where you can make a difference:
Registered Student Organizations
- Epsilon Eta
- Students for the Environment
- Sunrise Newark
- Earth, Ocean, and Environment Club
- Sustainable Fashion Club
- Native Species Initiative
- Collegiate Future Farmers of America
- Blue Hen Birding
Off-Campus Organizations
- Newark Conservation Advisory Commission
- Delaware Nature Society
- Delaware Sierra Club
- Delaware Nature Conservancy
What else?
Another important way you can get involved is to vote. Voting is a way you can communicate your priorities to your representatives. Be sure you are registered in your state before the deadline to be eligible to vote. Deadlines, eligibility requirements, and how you can register can be found on vote.org.