Hope Advocates for Sustainability

As takeout dining continues to grow on college campuses, so does the challenge of single-use foodware waste. A recent Bridge Michigan article highlights why campuses are rethinking how convenience and sustainability can work together.

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum helps food businesses and other institutions move beyond disposable packaging by advancing practical, reusable foodware systems. Through our EPA-funded Safe & Sustainable Foodware project, campus case studies, technical assistance, webinars, and the Michigan Campus Sustainability Collective, we connect institutions with the resources and peer learning needed to implement scalable, circular dining solutions.

From Hope College to the University of Michigan, campuses across the state are demonstrating that reuse can reduce waste while creating more resilient food service systems. We look forward to continuing this work with campus, government, and industry partners across Michigan.

Learn more about reusable foodware on campuses here: https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/takeout-trash-is-piling-up-at-michigan-universities-theres-no-easy-fix/

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Hope has achieved its second consecutive STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

This recognition reflects our ongoing campus-wide commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability research, and responsible operations.

🔗 Read more at the link in the comments.

SHARP student kayak trip! 1st of 3 trips with the Outdoor Discovery Center!

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Thank you to our Campus Green Team for leading the charge on campus sustainability initiatives!!

Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger, chair of the Green Team and a Hope religion faculty member, emphasized the many examples in Christian practice where stewardship is both taught and exhibited. “From the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, Christians are called to be caretakers of creation,” he said. “And within the history of the Church there are many who are enthusiastic caretakers of creation (e.g. St. Francis of Assisi). In short, both Holy Scripture and Christian Tradition remind us that creation care is an essential Christian practice.”

https://hope.edu/news/2026/campus-life/hope-college-scores-another-gold-rating-for-sustainability-achievements.html

Hope College Scores Another Gold Rating for Sustainability Achievements The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) awarded Hope College its second consecutive STARS gold rating in recognition of its strong sustainability achievements. STARS — the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System — measures and encourages sust...

Sharing this level 2 accreditation status with Hope College is the City Of Holland, Michigan - City Hall. Both are now recognized as accredited arboretums in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants. The accreditation is a result of collaborative work across Hope’s Grounds Team, Biology Department, Computer Science Department, Sustainability Office and the City of Holland. Together, Hope College and the City of Holland have inventoried nearly 15,000 trees across Holland, which is documented at trees.cityofholland.com.

https://hope.edu/news/2026/campus-life/hope-college-awarded-level-2-accreditation-through-arbnet.html

Hope College Awarded Level 2 Accreditation Through ArbNet Hope College was awarded a Level 2 accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initi...

Well Deserved Kara!!

Recently retired Director of Operations Kara Slater has been recognized by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business as one of West Michigan’s "Notable Leaders in Architecture, Engineering and Construction."

During her 11-year tenure, Kara managed over two million square feet of campus space and directed the major construction projects that shaped our campus.

Della Fetzer, A Hope Bio grad and owner of Rebel Cultures was featured in the Holland Sentinel for her local work. Check it out!
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