Make it a Green Year

As we launch a new academic year and welcome new students, faculty and staff to the campus, it’s a great time to consider how each one of us can help UMass Chan Medical School reduce its carbon footprint and achieve a more sustainable future.

Among the school’s key initiatives are to reduce, reuse and recycle materials used on campus; and limiting single vehicle trips to campus when possible. Here are some ways you can help:

The SWAP Shop is a great resource on campus. Located in S3-209, it’s a place to drop off un-needed office supplies and equipment and pickup useful items. Learn more at: https://www.umassmed.edu/growinggreen/swap-store/

If you bring a reusable mug to the Sodexo cafes at the Sherman Center or at South Street you’ll get a discount when buying a beverage, hot or cold. So, make sure to ask for your discount at check out.

We have a comprehensive recycling program that only works when people think before they toss an item. Please review the program, and if you like download copies of the signs posted here to keep as quick reminders: https://www.umassmed.edu/growinggreen/recycling/

Vehicle trips to campus are one of the biggest contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions. On this page, please consider the options to limit driving to campus and sign up for NuRide to earn rewards for your green commutes. Even if you can avoid a few trips each month, that’s a big help. https://www.umassmed.edu/growinggreen/campus-intiatives/transporation/

For those who want to help shape and lead our sustainability programs, please get involved! The Growing Green team includes volunteers who staff events like Earth Day, or who serve as Green Reps for their departments and attend Sustainability Committee meetings to share ideas and decide on campus initiatives. There are many ways to get involved and we certainly would appreciate your input, advice and assistance. For more information, or to jump right in, email us at: growing.green@umassmed.edu and start the conversation.

“We have ambitious sustainability goals, so we need everyone’s help to achieve them,” said Suzanne Wood, sustainability and energy manager at UMass Chan.