Make the Connection

The University defines “sustainability” as “balancing equity, environment, and economics so current and future generations can thrive.” Mirroring global definitions sustainability is founded in a systems thinking, with connections drawn to every field of study, science, and industry. You can help the next generation more readily make these connections and changes, by incorporating sustainability in your teaching and research.

• Reach out to the University’s Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation for resources to teach and/or research sustainability
• Curriculum
  • Add the Sustainability-Focused or Sustainability-Related attribute code to your course(s) at Pitt
  • Key Competencies for Teaching Sustainability – This great AASHE resource provides case studies and best practices learned from establishing key sustainability competencies in a variety of academic courses.
  • Tie your lecture topics to the Sustainable Development Goals, which span a huge variety of subjects including equity, education, policy, science, and more.
  • Use these tips on effectively communicate climate change, and cultivate hope through empowering change-making strategies among your students.
    • Check out Global Optimism & the Good News Network for a lift about change that is already underway!
• Attend a Pitt Green Speakeasy for ideas and innovative ways that Pitt faculty and staff are exploring sustainability in their work.
• Find internal and for funding and grant opportunities to support sustainability research.

Climate Change

The climate crisis is urgent, with our planet and younger generations focused on action, but feeling the emotional toll of social and environmental catastrophes. With a climate action plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2037, the University is already working operationally to address our climate emergency.  Read the full Pitt Climate Action Plan to learn more about how pursuing carbon neutrality can enhance our academic mission.

Reduce Paper Use

Paper accounted for 1.1% of Pitt’s FY19 Greenhouse Gas Inventory — and while paper use campus-wide is down 70% since then, much of the printing that remains is from academic departments.

Consider the following strategies to reduce the need for paper in your classroom and assignments:

1. Share Files & Forms Digitally
   • The University has many tools to help share assignments, syllabi, handouts, and more as digital files (rather than hard copies); these include Canvas, OneDrive, TurnItIn, Panopto, & more.
   • Not sure how to start digitizing your assignments? The Center for Teaching and Learning has many courses, resources, and support staff available to help you.
2. Encourage digital note-taking.
   • Rather than printing your presentation slides, share them electronically & encourage students to take digitally or in their own notebooks.
   • Applications like OneNote, GoodNotes and Notion are popular for notetaking and project management.
   • Use Electronic Research Notebooks (LabArchives) for note-taking in your labs and research projects.
3. Accept Digital Assignments, Presentations & Posters
   • Rather than traditional postering and text on paper, encourage students to use creative digital and online formats to present information.
   • Worried about academic integrity with online assignments? The Center for Teaching and Learning has resources available to guide your teaching with ChatGPT & other AI.
4. Consider Paper-Free Exams
   • In-person exams account for a considerable portion of academic paper use.
   • When possible, conduct your exams online through Canvas, using alternative assessment strategies instead of lockdown browsers.
   • Consider using the University Testing Center for proctored online exams in a secure environment.
   • Can’t go paperless? Use narrow margins, print double-sided, and print on paper with 30% recycled content or more.

Sustainable Purchasing

Before you buy new equipment or supplies for your classroom or lab, consider the following options to save money and associated emissions with new products:

1. Keep a shared inventory of office and classroom supplies with your department and check this inventory before making new purchases.
2. Check for shared resources before purchasing:
   • Pitt has a variety of technologies, equipment, and trainings available through the Center for Teaching & Learning to help you make the most of existing classroom resources.
   • The Open Lab is a maker space with tech such as 3D printers, vinyl and laser cutters, VR sets, and 360-degree video, available to the Pitt community to drive innovative teaching and learning.
   • The Dietrich Stock Room has lab plastics, equipment and supplies. You can also request free chemicals with the Chemical Redistribution Program.
   • Pitt Surplus helps classroom, office and lab equipment find its next best life, including on-campus — and keeping materials out of landfills for decades! Purchase from their inventory before buying new.
   • Pitt has a number of  Shared Research Support Services for biological instruments, imaging, cryogenics, the machine shop and more.
   • Don’t buy a desktop printer.
     • Save money by using an existing shared multifunction device across campus. Contact your department or Pitt IT about networked printing options available to you.
3. Purchase through Pitt’s contracted suppliers, who are vetted for compliance with University policies and diversity & sustainability goals; choose sustainable suppliers and greener items.
4. Eliminate Items Destined for Landfill
   • Dry erase markers are useful, but create a lot of waste as they are not recyclable or recoverable.
   • Opt for digital presentation methods, go old school and use chalk, or consider refillable dry erase markers
   • Opting for rechargeable batteries for your office and classroom equipment.

Find lab waste reduction ideas here!

Save Energy

The University has substantive greenhouse gas & energy use reduction goals, and over 1.3 million square of LEED certified green buildings!

As our buildings become more efficient, individual energy choices have a greater relative impact, including for plug loads.

You can help reduce energy use in your classroom by:

• Turning off lights when the classroom is not in use — or opt for daylight when possible.
• Turning off all projectors and microphones at the end of the day and/or your class.
• Turning off computers and devices when not in use and/or set up “sleep mode” after 20 minutes of inactivity. 
• Setting all computers and devices to energy-saving modes as default.
• Unplugging devices when they are not in use – or use a smart power strip to manage and control vampire energy draws.

Accessible & Equitable Classrooms

With considerations for accessibility and equity, you can help every student thrive in your classroom.

At the start of each semester, review the many resources Pitt has available to help students succeed.

Many students need support, and don’t know who to ask for help. Sharing these resources up front helps students readily find the support they need.

• Support your students’ mental health by familiarizing yourself with the Faculty & Staff Student Support Guide .
• Use Open Educational Resources (EOR) when possible for a more cost-accessible option that also reduces demand for newly printed materials. You can add an OER Attribute Code to your course, too!
• Review your course for accessibility with these resources from the UCTL.
• Check out resources for remote learning.

Sustainability Resources to Share with Students

Living and operating in a sustainable manner is important to Pitt students, with the 2023 Pitt Sustainability Literacy & Culture Survey demonstrating that students are eager to learn more about and change behaviors to support sustainability.

To help your students connect with opportunities to practice sustainability in daily campus life, please share the resources on this website and below with your students to help them !

• Pitt’s Student Office of Sustainability (SOOS) is a student-staffed space for any student interested in sustainability to study, meet like-minded individuals, and get connected with any of the 24+ SOOS Affiliate Student Organizations on campus!
  • SOOS is physically located in 510 William Pitt Union.,
  • SOOS holds monthly First Thursday sessions that are a great chance to learn about affiliate organizations and sustainability on campus.
• For a one-stop shop, check out the Pitt Student Green Guide, which contains helpful, easy-to-find links to sustainability information on recycling, transportation, food & dining, reuse, and more.
• Share the Pitt Sustainability Dashboard, where students can check in on progress on key sustainability metrics, including greenhouse gas emissions, composting, building energy and water use intensity, and more!
• Share Basic Needs resources that are critical to every student’s success on campus, and tie in directly with campus sustainability goals.

Become a Pitt Green Office or Lab

You’re already making sustainable choices on campus – get recognized for it! By participating in Pitt’s Green designation programs, you’ll join a network of over 700 employees advancing sustainability at Pitt.

Help us grow this community and become a Pitt Green Office or Pitt Green Lab today!

Joining is Simple:

1.  Create Your Team – A PittGreen Office or Green Lab is at least 3 individuals who work together remotely, in a shared space, and/or with shared resources.
2. Review the Pitt Green Lab and Green Office Guides. – Read through the guides with your team, including several dozen sustainable habits you may already keep, or may be able to incorporate into your workflow.
3. Complete Qualtrics Survey, marking off the sustainable habits your office or lab has adopted & hit submit! A Pitt Sustainability team member will review your answers & notify you of your designation level– Seed, Sprout, Sapling, or Sustainable Oak!
4. Get Recognized! Pitt Green Offices and Green Labs are recognized online, receive a window/door decal, and get a plaque with your designation level made locally from reclaimed materials.
5. You’ll also be invited to participate in our annual celebration, quarterly workshops, and help shape Pitt’s pathway towards carbon neutrality and all sustainability commitments.

Get Engaged on Campus

Just as sustainability is broad in definition, our practice of sustainability on campus reaches far and wide. If you’re looking for more ways to contribute to Pitt’s culture of sustainability on campus, consider the following:

• Stay In the Know by signing up for the Pitt Sustainability Newsletter, following Pitt Sustainability and related accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and check out our Events Calendar.
• Take sustainability-focused courses in HR’s Faculty & Staff Development Program in Sustainability, designed to deepen your knowledge and understanding of sustainability in the world at large, but connected to practices here on campus.
• Become a Pitt Green Ambassador to help encourage and mentor your colleagues as they take on new sustainable practices.
• Join a Sustainability committee on a topic you’re knowledgeable and passionate about, helping guide Pitt’s next steps!