Going Green & Sustainability

Governors State University is committed to contributing positively to the society and environment of the region it serves.

Governors State has partnered with Energy Systems Group to assist in meeting its sustainability commitment by implementing energy conservation methods. ESG projects that GSU's carbon footprint will be reduced by more than 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. This is equivalent to one of the following annual environmental benefits:

  • Reduction of emissions equivalent to removing approximately 600 vehicles from the road
  • Creating enough energy to power more than 400 homes
  • Planting about 700 acres of forest

 

Community Garden

The University Sustainable Garden at GSU features 64 garden plots of various sizes and is located on the east side of The Family Development Center.

The gardens are open from dawn to dusk, May to October. The planting deadline is July 1. Gardens left unplanted on July 1 will be cleared and made available for reassignment.

The GSU Facilities Department oversees the seasonal operation of the garden. For more information please visit the University Garden website.

Earth Day

Earth Day is on April 22. The university has a variety of events that encourage environmental responsibility and sustainability. From tree planting and recycling to swapping books and helping clean campus grounds, join us for one or more of these events and make your own positive contribution to the community.

 

 sustainability tile

 

 

 

GSU isn't just conscious of being
environmentally friendly during Earth Day.
The university is committed to sustainable
initiatives year round. Click Here to view a
presentation. *Instructions: Click the right
arrow at the bottom of the screen to start
the presentation.

 Calendar of Events
 

 

 

 

During the week of Earth Day and beyond,
GSU has a full slate of events. Join us for
one or for all of them and make your own
contribution. Read More 

 

Recycling Chart

What Gets Recycled

  • Newspaper-Newspaper and inserts
  • Cardboard -Empty and flatten all boxes
  • Other Fibers - Magazines, catalogs, computer paper, phone books, chipboard and junk mail
  • Plastic Containers - Plastic containers, all numbers, empty out, cap off
  • Tin and aluminum cans - please rinse out to avoid odor problem
  • Glass beverage containers - rinsed out, cap off
  • Batteries - in designated collection containers, A1, C1, F1, G1 and GMT Buildings
  • Inkjet and deskjet ink cartridges, cell phones - B1230

What is Not Recycled

  • Please no shredded paper
  • Please no soiled paper
  • Please no food contamination, wax coated boxes or packing material
  • Please no wax or foil coatings, no hard cover books
  • Please no styrofoam, plastic bags or glass
  • Please no aerosol cans, paint cans, unwashed cans, and no clothes hangers

    E85 and Biodiesel Fuels

    *State of Illinois Fuel Requirements*

    (505 ILCS 150/5)

    Sec. 5. State agency webpage requirements.
    (a) Each State agency that maintains an Internet website may, subject to appropriation, include hypertext links to websites containing information on ethanol and biodiesel fuels. These hypertext links shall include any website maintained and operated by a State agency that posts information regarding E85 fuel or biodiesel fuel and may include private websites including, but not limited to, websites maintained and operated by:

        (i) Illinois agricultural or health related organizations; and

        (ii) national agricultural, renewable fuel, or health related organizations,

    (b) For the purpose of this Act, "State agency" means any department, office, commission, board, or authority within the executive branch of State government, and includes State supported universities and colleges and the Illinois Building Authority. (Source: P.A. 95-749, eff. 7-23-08.)

    Use the links below for more information regarding E85 and biodiesel fuels:

    https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/BIOD?state=IL

    https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/ETH?state=IL

    https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/agriculture/alternative-fuels/Pages/default.aspx