Our Mission
Office of Sustainability
To cultivate an ethos of sustainability at Princeton that inspires action at all scales in service to humanity and the world.
We are part of the Facilities Organization
Facilities plans, designs, builds, operates, and maintains Princeton University’s Campus. We steward the Campus to support the University’s mission in an inclusive and sustainable way, creating an environment of exceptional quality where learning, research and service thrive.
Our Approach
- Co-creating within our campus community powerful daily experiences that build the knowledge, skills and resolve to advance implementation of our institutional Sustainability Action Plan.
- Actively seeking diverse voices in problem-solving efforts, so that outcomes are meaningful for many rather than few.
- Amplifying this work outward across campus, networks, and to the world, to help accelerate action at all scales.
Our Definitions
Sustainability: A dynamic and inclusive process that improves quality of life while regenerating ecological systems.
Ethos of sustainability: An inclusive campus experience that has sustainability integrated powerfully and visibly into its identity through the built and natural environment, daily operations, and attitudes and behaviors.
Meet Our Team
Our Student Employee Groups
Come work for us! If you are interested in working for the Office of Sustainability please fill out our job interest form. The hiring timeframe depends on the group.
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EcoReps
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The mission of the EcoReps is to promote the integration of sustainability into life on campus in alignment with the Sustainability Action Plan. Through their efforts, the EcoReps aim to see every Princeton student adopt at least one aspect of sustainable living into their daily lives, and to understand the value of sustainability for themselves, their communities, and the environment.
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Forbes Garden Project
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The Princeton Garden Project seeks to provide the Princeton Community with an open educational space in which to work towards increased sustainability while cultivating organic agriculture. The group's mission is to educate the campus and community about the American food system and its implications for the environment, our health, nutrition and culture, and the future.
Visit the Forbes Garden Project Instagram page
Contact [email protected]
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MEND
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Mend's mission is to encourage sustainable attitudes and reduce waste surrounding clothing and fashion by teaching Princeton University community members how to repair, reuse and upcycle clothing. Mend Leaders have the knowledge to help you with all your repair needs and share information and spread awareness of the environmental and economic impacts of the fashion industry.
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S.C.R.A.P. Lab
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Called the Sustainable Composting Research at Princeton (S.C.R.A.P.) Lab, the demonstration project involves using a Model 1000 in-vessel composting system developed by the company FOR Solutions to convert campus food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment for campus grounds. Additionally, the project supports academic research around food scraps conversion which is a topic of growing interest that can benefit from more applied testing and performance assessment while federal and state targets increasingly call for drastic cuts in wasted food.
Although this project involves the collaboration of many staff across multiple departments, the student operational team is responsible for the weekly loading and off-loading of the composting system.
Our Faculty & Staff Groups
Come volunteer with us! We are always looking for more Staff Ambassadors to learn more and help spread green ideas. To join the Staff Ambassadors Group, please fill out our Staff Ambassador Interest Form.
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Capital Plan Sustainability Advocacy Committee
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The Sustainability Advocacy Committee (SAC) is responsible for advising and advocating on behalf of University-wide sustainability objectives across all campus planning, design and construction activities on campus.
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Princeton Sustainability Committee
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The Princeton Sustainability Committee is a multi-stakeholder advisory community that meets monthly during the academic year for information-sharing, new idea generation, collaborative problem-solving, and the development of policy and practice recommendations. It serves to:
- Create a forum for faculty, students, and administrators to bring their perspectives to bear on intersecting social, economic and environmental objectives.
- Provide a mechanism for cross-fertilization of ideas and coordination of efforts.
- Encourage the implementation of evidence-based strategies.
- Recommend and justify to the administration policies and practices that can accelerate progress.
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Staff Ambassador Program
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Princeton's Sustainability Ambassadors play a vital role in the University’s sustainability efforts. Each fall, staff from across campus volunteer to participate in a one-year collaborative training program, and subsequently serve as sustainability representatives in their home departments or offices, and in the wider community. The program features Princeton’s progress toward its sustainability goals as well as opportunities to further integrate sustainability practices at work and at home. Through sharing information, and generating and implementing new ideas and partnerships, Sustainability Ambassadors provide a real and active connection between the Office of Sustainability and the campus community.
Other Ways to Engage
Join a Sustainability-related Group
There are a number of student groups dedicated to sustainability-related issues at Princeton. From The Cyclab to Sustainable Engineering and Development Scholars (SEADS), there are many sustainability-related groups to join.
USG Sustainability Committee
Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Sustainability Committee exists to serve all undergraduate students and represent their sustainability interests by supporting student initiatives, by working with University administrators to amplify sustainability in University policy and decision-making, and by coordinating campus-wide communications and programming. We seek to cultivate a diverse and inclusive approach to sustainability in the Princeton community and beyond.
Stay in Touch
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