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  • Land Use & Built Environment
    Since January 2007 the University has been committed to meet USGBC LEED certification for all new and renovation building projects.
  • Energy
    The heating plant is undergoing renovations that meet both current and proposed environmental regulations.
  • Dining/Housing
    There are many ways dining is going green, including using recycled materials, utilizing locally raised animals and produce, using biodiesel in all vehicles, etc.
  • Water
    The University has aggressively pursued initiatives to conserve water and to develop creative opportunities for storm water management.
  • Administrative Commitment
    Since 1991 the University has continually committed itself to meeting and when able surpassing environmental standards.
  • Recycling
    This program has been awarded a 2007 Virginia Recycling Association Award for Excellence in the College/University category!
  • Transportation
    To help in the effort, Parking & Transportation offers programs that encourage biking, walking, public transportation, and carpooling.

"America is probably a generation late recognizing just how threatened we are by the accelerating and now obvious pace of contamination of air and water supplies, global warming, and the loss of sustainable space and living conditions for agriculture. Sustainability is an essential activity in any university that wants to be useful in the next generation."

- John T. Casteen III, President, University of Virginia

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Enviromental Initiatives The University will conduct all operations in an environmentally responsible manner and comply with all applicable State and Federal environmental regulations. Read More...

What U.Va. is Doing: Green at U.Va.

    • Say No to Bottled Water and Yes to Recycled Paper

      • Governor Kaine's Executive Order 82 mandates new sustainable procurement standards for all executive branch agencies and institutions, including U.Va. Purchasers can follow this link to learn more about the new requirements, which are designed to cut energy use, save money, and reduce waste.

    • Charlottesville Area Gets Smart Meters

      • Charlottesville is the first city in Virginia and one of the first in the nation where homes and businesses will be equipped with "smart meters" that will make the delivery of electricity more efficient and less costly and will lay the groundwork for a "smart grid."

    • U.Va. Signs on to U21 Sustainability Focus

      Emphasizing the important role that universities play in addressing global sustainability, member institutions of Universitas 21, including U.Va., signed a "Statement on Sustainability" at their annual meeting, held in May. U21 is a network of 21 research-led universities around the world.

    • Sofa Shuffle Diverts Furniture from Dumps to Charities

      This year's "Sofa Shuffle," the University of Virginia's off-Grounds furniture donation drive, diverted 10 truckloads of furniture and household goods from area landfills and gave them to local charities.

    • Eco-Friendly Picnic Area Expands Runk Dining Hall

      A new installation designed by University of Virginia landscape architecture students is transforming a sun-baked and largely unused patio outside Runk Dining Hall into an intimate al fresco dining area that should be a gathering spot for generations of students to come.

    • Cut Costs, Fuel Use Through Efficient Driving Habits

      Did you know that every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is equivalent to paying 20 extra cents per gallon of gas? Visit EcoDrivingUSA for more efficient driving habits that can reduce both your gas bill and carbon footprint this summer.

    • Tour the University Community Garden on YouTube

      A groundbreaking for the new University Community Garden, a project of the Student Council Environmental Sustainability subcommittee, was held on Saturday, April 4. The student-run garden is located at the northwest corner of Alderman and McCormick Roads.

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