Resources

At Santa Clara University, we believe in educating the whole person – mind, body, spirit – and illustrating how the values instilled in our classrooms are integrated throughout all aspects of the university. By modeling sustainable resource management, we are showing how our entire SCU community can be thoughtful in centering justice, humanity, and sustainability in their own civic, professional, and personal lives.

At a basic level, these day-to-day functional changes are the start of what SCU can – and should – do to better manage our resources and impact on the planet. As an institution, we must be committed to focusing on how we use and reduce reliance on water resources in a state that has weathered decades of drought. Thanks to our location in a place once known as the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” we also have the ability – and responsibility – to source ecologically produced and local food that supports local communities and reduces climate impact. As the University continues to live out our values, we are also creating a guidebook for how change can be possible for large institutions.

Further, we acknowledge that Santa Clara University sits on the land of the Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone people. It is crucial to recognize that we are called to serve as stewards of these natural habitats by maintaining “the bay, freshwater creeks, native plants, animal habitats, and the air we all breathe” in Santa Clara County (SCU Land Acknowledgement; Muwekma Land Acknowledgment, SCU Muwekma Symposium 2023). As SCU shares with other institutions these stewardship practices, we can influence further widespread sustainable progress. Spreading this stewardship story will hopefully also educate and inspire community members to get involved or integrate similar projects into their homes / workspaces. For example, the surrounding Santa Clara County community could benefit from seeing how restoring biodiversity to a university landscape through more native and drought-resistant plants would also attract more native biodiversity of insects, pollinators, and birds. In combination with increasing biodiversity, our efforts to reduce waste and conserve water will positively impact the campus today and for generations to come.

Goal

Santa Clara University will model sustainable operational practices by minimizing harmful impacts on humans and the environment through ecologically managed grounds, sustainable procurement, waste minimization and recovery, and decreased water use.

Strategies

OPR 1: Procurement

By 2030, develop a robust sustainable procurement policy/system to contribute to a sustainable economy, draw down climate pollution, support sustainable food systems, and minimize waste generated per person by 20%.

Sub-strategies include reducing then eliminating plastics, signing contracts with more social impact suppliers while also increasing percentages of sustainably or ethically produced food and beverages, increasing the percentage of plant-based foods on campus, exploring implementing sustainable purchasing systems, and meeting 100% sustainability criteria for cleaning supplies, office paper, electronics, and office furniture.

OPR 2: Waste

By 2030, divert 75% of waste from the landfill or incinerator by recycling, composting, donating, or re-selling.

Sub-strategies include developing a waste minimization and recovery plan focusing on food (from on-campus kitchens), packaging, construction/demolition, and hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

OPR 3: Water

By 2030, reduce water used per person by 30%.

Sub-strategies include conducting a campus water assessment, developing a water use reduction plan, and exploring onsite water reuse.

OPR 4: Landscaping

By 2030, achieve 100% ecologically managed landscaping to meet social, cultural, and ecosystem needs.

Sub-strategies include developing a landscaping master plan that identifies and protects biodiversity as well as endangered / vulnerable species on campus while also organically protecting, restoring, or managing green space.