Sustainability Stories

Bronco Surplus: A Sustainable Way to Make SCU Feel Like Home

LEAD Scholars were welcomed to campus with 500+ free room essentials, thanks to SCU's year-round commitment to a circular economy.

Where We Stand: Tracking Progress for Leading Through Laudato Si’

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sustainability at SCU, we are ushering in new era of our implementation phase defined by unprecedented collaboration. Our 2026 Annual Update tracks progress against goals along with narrative and data highlights of the remarkable strides our campus has made together.

The Sustainable Heart of SCU’s Top-Ranked Landscape

Rooted in community care, SCU's Arbor Day tree planting highlights the ecological stewardship that shapes the beautiful campus where we learn, work, and live.

Sustainable But Make It Slay

Eco Fashion Show 2026 was dazzling evening of fashionable reuse that showcased student creativity with a conscience.

Leading Through Laudato Si': Mid-Year Progress Update

The implementation phase of LTLS, SCU's university-wide sustainability strategic plan, is transforming the campus experience by embedding sustainable practices into everything we do—from new training modules for all Broncos to waste-free dining initiatives.

Harvest Fest: Celebrating the Season in Harmony

Harvest Fest: Forge x KSCU combined festive fun and sustainable consumption with cider pressing, pumpkin carving, live music, recycled costumes, garden critters, and more!

75 Faculty Trained at Sustainability Curriculum Workshops

Sustainability and Justice Across the Curriculum offers professional development to bring integral ecology and justice into all courses.

Bronco Surplus: Giving Items a Second Life for Incoming Students

Bronco Surplus welcomed SCU’s LEAD Scholars with free dorm essentials, turning move-in day into a moment of belonging while outfitting nearly 100 rooms with 300+ repurposed items.

Zero Waste Move Out 2025

Impact By the Numbers

During Move Out Week, students community skipped the dumpsters and diverted 3,800 pounds of reusable items from landfills!

Celebrating a Year of Sustainability Triumphs

2025 Sustainability Celebration

Center for Sustainability’s annual spring gathering celebrated a year of incredible progress, highlighting how the campus community is putting its sustainability action plan into practice and paving the way to a more just and sustainable future.

Leading Through Laudato Si': Spring 2025 Progress Update

Our latest progress update features data and stories of tangible action across academics, campus, community, energy usage, and sustainable operations.

Integral Ecology In Action

2024-2025 Sustainability Champions

A campus food recovery program. A community research initiative supporting small farmers. A solar energy project that doubled the university's capacity. Just a few of the ways our Sustainability Champions lead transformative contributions to sustainability at SCU and beyond.

Sustainability Coordinator Raechel Guevara ’25 Featured by SCU

Data and Analytics Sustainability Coordinator reflects on her journey as a LEAD scholar, business student, and sustainability advocate as she begins a career in Technology Risk with EY.

Sustainability and EJ Student Research Symposium 2025

A powerful showcase of student sustainability thought leadership at its best, with over 60 presenters offering insights towards meaningful change.

Eco Fashion Show 2025

Our celebration of upcycled artistry offers Broncos more an alternative to wasteful consumption, but also a vision for a more just, creative, and livable world.

SVP Sustainable Futures Scholars and Fellows Honored Following Sustainability Careers Meetup

It was an evening of connection, celebration and selfies as SCU students met with industry leaders and city officials, and SVF SF Scholars and Fellows were honored at a celebration dinner.

Where We Break Bread

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Forge Garden provides students with more than just greenery. With Nourish Nights, campus groups gather to cook a plant-based meal to combat food insecurity.

Solar Power EV Chargers

SCU's first 100% solar-powered EV chargers generate clean, renewable energy to power our maintenance fleet with zero reliance on the grid.

Bucky's Closet Campus Thrift Store

Bucky's Closet, SCU's free campus thrift store, offers student an opportunity to acquire professional attire, casual clothing, and supplies while supporting a sustainable circular economy.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jesica Fernández

Discover how Dr. Jesica Fernández, assistant professor of Ethnic Studies at Santa Clara University, integrated sustainability and environmental justice into her course after attending a Sustainability Across the Curriculum workshop. 

Leading Through Laudato Si': Fall 2024 Progress Update

Find campus stories, plan tracking, and how our efforts align with Impact 2030: SCU’s Strategic Plan for a more humane, just, and sustainable world.