Campus CommunityGreen ChampionWritten by Mike TheeMarch 1, 2019No Image Credit ProvidedNo Caption ProvidedRegional coalition recognizes SU’s leadership in sustainability.Seattle University has been recognized by EnviroStars, a regional coalition of counties, cities and utilities, for its commitment to conserving resources and protecting the environment. Earning the program’s highest designation of “Champion,” SU is the first institution of higher education in Washington state to be recognized as a green business by EnviroStars. To earn the distinction, SU underwent a rigorous application process requiring demonstrated success in the areas of energy and water conservation, pollution prevention, safer products, transportation, solid waste and recycling, and wastewater. “Seattle University has long been a leader in environmental awareness and sustainability, and this distinction will allow our message to reach a broader audience of individuals looking to make a difference in higher education,” says Manager of Resource Conservation and Facilities Operations Rick Moyer. “The EnviroStars evaluators were impressed with the many innovative initiatives on our campus, from electric ride-sharing programs to community gardens to heat recovery units to composting operations, and we look forward to doing even more to ensure Seattle University’s place as an environmental champion.” EnviroStars supports and recognizes Puget Sound-area businesses, helping them to “protect their workplace, the community and the planet.” The program encompasses the counties of Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, Spokane, Whatcom and Snohomish, as well as the cities of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and Edmonds. The EnviroStars recognition is the latest in a series of accolades earned by Seattle University for its sustainability efforts. In the past year alone, the university has: Earned a GOLD rating the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System™(STARS) Place 8th in the nation in Sierra’s “Cool Schools” rankings Been included on The Princeton Review's 2019 Green Honor Roll In September, the Seattle University Board of Trustees voted to adopt a pair of recommendations to divest the university’s $230 million endowment from fossil fuels within the next five years. Learn more at Campus Sustainability.