The 兔子先生 has earned a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), recognizing the university鈥檚 progress in sustainability across academics, operations, engagement, and planning.
鈥淭his recognition is a proud moment for Puget Sound, as it symbolizes our belief that sustainability is not just an add-on, but an integral part of who we are and what we strive to achieve at the university,鈥 said President Isiaah Crawford. 鈥淚t acknowledges the progress made through collective action by our students, faculty, and staff, while reinforcing our commitment to a more just and sustainable future.鈥
STARS is the most widely recognized framework for publicly reporting comprehensive sustainability performance in higher education. With more than 1,200 participating institutions in 52 countries, it provides a transparent and flexible system for tracking progress in five key areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
The rating reflects Puget Sound鈥檚 commitment to environmental justice and sustainability as outlined in its strategic plan, Leadership for a Changing World, and Advancing Excellence development plan.
鈥淪TARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,鈥 said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. 鈥淧uget Sound has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.鈥
Highlights of Puget Sound鈥檚 recent sustainability achievements include:
- Launching the Department of Environmental Studies & Sciences, which provides students with the opportunity to explore environmental issues through an interdisciplinary approach combining the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
- Recognition as a Tree Campus USA for 11 consecutive years, preserving native tree canopy and maintaining one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.
- Expanding food recovery efforts through partnerships with local organizations like Guadalupe House of Hospitality, donating over 800 pounds of food in last year.
- Implementing campus-wide composting initiatives in dining halls, student residences, and cafes, and replacing plastic to-go ware with compostable alternatives.
- Supporting student-led sustainability projects like Grizz鈥檚 Garage, which diverted more than 1,500 pounds of textiles from landfills, and organizing Earth Month events such as the Sustainable Food Festival.
Looking ahead, Puget Sound will continue to seek opportunities to expand its sustainability efforts, such as through finalizing its first campus Climate Action Plan.
STARS is open to all institutions of higher education, and its rating criteria are transparent and accessible. Because it鈥檚 based on credits earned, it supports both internal benchmarking and comparisons across similar institutions. Puget Sound鈥檚 STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.
For more information about the STARS program, visit .
About AASHE:
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE鈥檚 mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit .
