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As a Jesuit, Catholic university, sustainability and care for the natural world is at the core of Loyola’s mission and values. Through initiatives championed by the School of Environmental Sustainability, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to learn about and engage with sustainability efforts through educational programs, community partnerships, and waste reduction efforts.
Celebrate Earth Month with campus events:
April 9
Eco Night with Crochet/Knit Club
7 p.m. in Cudahy Science Hall
April 12
7 p.m. in Damen MPR
April 22
Earth Day Succulent Fundraiser
1 p.m. in Damen MPR
4 p.m. in Damen Den
April 23
EMERGE: End of Year Sustainability Gathering
4 p.m., location TBD
Sustainability Initiatives at Loyola:
Beyond this month, explore some of the initiatives running throughout the year that help Loyola reduce its environmental footprint and build toward a more sustainable future.
Diverting food waste from landfills
Loyola began composting food scraps from Simpson Dining Hall in 2012 before eventually expanding the program to all dining halls on the Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses. Each year, the Loyola community diverts around 300 tons of organic waste, turning discarded food scraps into nutrient-rich compost for gardens and farms. Beyond composting, Loyola students are contributing to a more equitable and sustainable food system through the Food Recovery Network, a new initiative from SES that picks up food from dining halls twice each week to donate to a food pantry.
Students, faculty, and staff near the Lake Shore or Water Tower campuses interested in composting can sign up for Loyola’s Compost Bucket Program.
Solar power: A step toward carbon neutrality
In 2023, Loyola signed an agreement in partnership with Constellation to purchase power from Double Black Diamond, a solar project located in Sangamon and Morgan Counties in Illinois. The solar farm will provide enough electricity to power the Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences Campuses, and has helped Loyola achieve its goal of reaching carbon neutrality.
Biodiesel: Turning waste into fuel
In the Searle Biodiesel Lab in the School of Environmental Sustainability, students collect used vegetable oil from Loyola food service facilities, local businesses, and other nearby institutions to convert into renewable biodiesel fuel. The fuel is then used to power Loyola’s fleet of campus shuttle buses. The Biodiesel Lab operates a zero-waste production process, turning the byproducts of fuel production into environmentally friendly BioSoap for campus restrooms and kitchens. Watch a tour of the Lab to learn more.
Zero waste events at Gentile Arena
At Gentile Arena, every game and event is zero waste, meaning nearly all products sold can be recycled or composted. During games, student interns from the Office of Sustainability monitor the arena’s zero waste stations to ensure that both fans and guests of Gentile Arena dispose of trash correctly. After events, volunteers sweep the stands to collect recyclable items and prepare the arena for the next event.
Students, faculty, and staff interested in volunteering can register here.
Think Green and Give: Reducing move-out waste
During spring residence hall move-out, Loyola students can donate gently used clothing, household items, unopened food, and toiletries to local campus partners through Think Green and Give. Each year, this program diverts thousands of pounds of reusable goods from landfills.
Water bottle refilling stations
The Loyola community is encouraged to use reusable water bottles to reduce single-use plastic waste. Water sourced from Lake Michigan is available at water bottle filling stations in most buildings.
