Everything you need to know about sustainability at the University of Rochester!
UR Sustainable posts information, events, and articles from our blog, The Green Dandelion (www.blogs.rochester.edu/thegreendandelion/) to keep students, staff, faculty, and the community of the University of Rochester educated and informed!
06/05/2026
Take a look at some of the creativity these departments brought to our eyeglass donation competition last year! Throughout June, your department can set up a collection box for used eyeglasses that are no longer needed. But there’s a twist! The department with the most eyeglasses collected or the most eye-catching box design will win a prize! For full details on our event and to sign your department up, check out the link in our bio!
06/04/2026
Wondering about the annual eyeglasses collection event?👓 It's here!! Throughout June, donate your no-longer-needed eyeglasses by drop-off, mail-in, or by participating in a departmental competition! Departments can sign up to create a collection box, and prizes will be awarded for the most pairs collected and for the most eye-catching box design.
Last year, we collected 4,265 pairs of eyeglasses! Can we set a new record this year??
Learn full details about the program and register for the departmental competition at https://www.rochester.edu/sustainability/events/eyewear/.
The results are in! ♻️ The University of Rochester was ranked as the number one large institution for per capita recycling in the 2026 Campus Race to Zero Waste, which ran for eight weeks in March and April. Keep up your good recycling habits, Yellowjackets!!
05/26/2026
05/22/2026
Introducing Sustainability Sammy the space snake! Mike, a long-time supporter of sustainability at URochester and a familiar face on River Campus, crafted Sammy from 100% recyclable materials: a lost glove, a worn-out sock, discarded shipping foam and cardboard, old marbles, bamboo sticks, coffee stirrers, a discarded graduation gown, and pink fabric from a URochester play. Sustainability Sammy says, “Repurpose and recycle!”
05/19/2026
So much fun on Saturday celebrating the Class of 2026 while keeping the departmental Commencement receptions zero-waste! Thanks to our volunteers, new alumni and their loved ones, Dining Services, and Grounds for helping make sure as much material from the receptions went to compost or recycling!
05/16/2026
Congratulations to the Sustainability Office’s graduating Team Green members, Kylin, Quinn, and Willow! The Sustainability Office will miss you, but we are so excited to see what amazing work you do next for our communities and the planet!
05/15/2026
DUMP AND RUN PART II, SUNDAY AT RIVERVIEW💚♻️!! Come stop by Building F from 9-12 with any items that you are leaving behind!
05/14/2026
Meet URochester alumnus Michael Davies, who is currently working in environmental consulting.
Learn about his early career experiences, his current occupation, and some advice he has for current students!
05/13/2026
Sign up to be a Zero-Waste Ranger at the departmental Commencement receptions on Saturday, May 16 ♻️💚!!!! Rangers will help ensure that materials are correctly sorted as recyclable, compostable, or trash.
Volunteers can choose to work 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 1:00- 5:00 p.m., or the full day (9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)