Sustainability

Watch: Thrift Warriors
On-campus thrift store reduces waste and provides free goods to students

Thrift Warriors, located on the first floor of Winthrop Hall, is Eastern's student-run thrift store. The resource provides Eastern students with second-hand clothes, home goods, appliances,...

Posted on March 10, 2026

Barrows STEM Academy students present sustainability research at Eastern
Students focus on sustainable development in Puerto Rico

More than 60 eighth-graders from Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy presented their capstone research projects at Eastern Connecticut State University on June 6. The event was held in the Student...

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Local politicians visit Eastern for environmental panel discussion
Panel is part of Eastern’s Big Read program

Windham Mayor Tom DeVivo and Connecticut State Rep. Susan Johnson visited Eastern Connecticut State University for a panel discussion on March 4 in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Proscenium...

Posted on March 05, 2025 by Noel Teter '24

Princeton Review names Eastern a 'Green College' 15 years running
New initiatives in thrifting and food recovery advance University's sustainability mission

Eastern Connecticut State University is one of 511 institutions to be named to the Princeton Review's 2025 "Guide to Green Colleges." Since the guide was created in 2010, Eastern has...

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Noel Teter

Big Read aims to connect readers to local environment
Months-long community reading program centered on 'The Bear'

Eastern Connecticut State University’s 2024-25 Big Read program kicked off on Sept. 18 with a presentation on the months-long series's themes, goals and events. The event was presented...

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Darlene Orozco B.

STEM academy middle schoolers present sustainability solutions at Eastern

The Institute for Sustainability at Eastern Connecticut State University partnered with the Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy to spotlight a new generation of sustainability advocates on June 6. For...

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig

Eastern researchers present on cannabis at farming conference

Eastern welcomed hundreds of local farmers and agriculturalists to campus on March 23 as it hosted the 42nd annual conference for the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). With many...

Posted on April 01, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig

Eastern Hall makes way for green space

Recycling cardboard, paper and plastic has become a weekly routine for many households, but Eastern Connecticut State University is taking sustainability a step further by recycling a building as...

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Lucinda Weiss

Campus thrift shop offers students recycled goods

Thrift shopping is a beloved pastime of many college students. Eastern recently designated a space on campus where students can enjoy this activity while contributing to the University's...

Posted on February 07, 2024 by Noel Teter

Forum: Collective effort needed across Connecticut to combat climate change

Eastern hosts public forum on the environment

Eastern Connecticut State University students and members of the Windham community gathered at Eastern on Feb. 5 to hear from experts and politicians about environmental issues and climate change...

Posted on February 07, 2024 by Marcus Grant

Combatting Connecticut’s waste crisis
Eastern students learn ways to reduce environmental impact

Connecticut is currently in a waste crisis that has great impacts on the cost of waste removal and the state’s environmental footprint. Eastern Connecticut State University students gathered...

Posted on February 01, 2024 by Marcus Grant

Eastern earns dual honors from Princeton Review for sustainability and campus life

Eastern Connecticut State University is traditionally recognized for its sustainability efforts, and this year is no exception. For 2024, Eastern has been named to The Princeton Review’s...

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Noel Teter

Computer science students create tree-planting app to win their first hackathon

Brainstorming paid off for Eastern Connecticut State University computer science students Ian Valeta and Diego Hernandez Ramirez when their plan for a tree-planting digital game won them the top...

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Teaching sustainability strengthens Eastern partnership with Windham school

A growing collaboration between Eastern Connecticut State University’s Institute for Sustainability and the eighth-grade science classes at the Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy in Windham...

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Residence hall clean-out yields a ton of donations

The “Warriors Don’t Waste” program, collecting items from May 1-12, was organized by senior Jacob Sweeney as part of his internship with Eastern’s Institute for...

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Eastern hosts 'Humans and the Environment' symposium

Four Connecticut-based scholars described the ecological impacts and anthropogenic changes that humanity has had on the environment at a symposium at Eastern Connecticut State University on March 24.

Posted on April 05, 2023 by Jack Jones

Eastern to host ‘Humans and the Environment’ sustainability symposium
Event highlights ‘Sustainability Across the Disciplines’

“Humans and the Environment,” a symposium on sustainability across disciplines, will be held March 24 at Eastern Connecticut State University. The symposium brings together four...

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Eastern receives STARS Gold rating for sustainability
Eastern joins Yale and Conn College as state's only Gold campuses

Eastern Connecticut State University has received its first Gold rating for sustainability by STARS--the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. Eastern has one of only three Gold...

Posted on December 12, 2022 by by Michael Rouleau

EVs get a boost at campus garages
University now has 11 charging stations

Eastern is upping its energy sustainability profile with five new car chargers added recently to the six already installed at the Shakespeare and Cervantes garages.

Posted on December 07, 2022 by Lucinda Weiss

Eastern makes Princeton Review's Green Colleges list for 13th year

For the 13th year in a row, Eastern Connecticut State University is recognized in the Princeton Review’s “Guide to Green Colleges.” More than 700 schools were reviewed for their...

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Molly Boucher

Eastern to announce new cannabis certification at Connecticut's first cannabis academic research conference

Eastern Connecticut State University will announce a certification for environmentally sustainable cannabis businesses at the inaugural New England Cannabis Research and Education Conference...

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Amanda Irwin and Michael Rouleau

Eastern receives STARS Silver rating for sustainability achievements

Eastern Connecticut State University has earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher...

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern has been named for the 12th annual year in the Princeton Review's list of “Guide to Green Colleges.”

Eastern makes Princeton Review’s ‘Guide to Green Colleges’ 12 years running

For the 12th year, the Princeton Review has included Eastern Connecticut State University in its annual “Guide to Green Colleges.” In the 2022 edition, Eastern was one of 422 schools...

Posted on December 06, 2021 by Bobbi Brown

Sierra Club names Eastern a 'Cool School’

“Sierra” magazine, the major publication of the Sierra Club, the influential grassroots environmental group, has named Eastern Connecticut State University one of “The Coolest...

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

Campus Briefs

Sierra Club names Eastern a 'Cool School’; Eastern partners in AAC&U-sponsored open educational resources project; Big Read kicks off in October with program centered around...

Posted on September 27, 2021

State energy, transportation officials share climate change plans with Eastern students
Commissioners Dykes and Eucalitto explain TCI-P

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted an exclusive webinar for Eastern students on April 26 to share information...

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern reaffirms commitment to climate as nation pivots
University’s 2020 Climate Action Plan outlines way to a greener future

Eastern Connecticut State University has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the challenges of climate change, reflecting recent moves by the federal government and thousands of environmental...

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Biodegradable Art
Students create nature-based installations in campus arboretum

Social distancing wasn’t an issue for students in art professor Robert Greene’s “Installation Art” course, who created nature-based installations in the woodland setting of...

Posted on December 07, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

Campus Briefs

#WarriorsGive raises $98,195; CCE volunteers produce educational videos for local children; Dean Carmen Cid serves as ESA research collection editor; Eastern holds Veterans Day ceremony; and...

Posted on November 18, 2020

Eastern recognized as top performer in 2020 Sustainable Campus Index

Eastern Connecticut State University has again been recognized as a top performer in the 2020 Sustainable Campus Index, achieving “Silver” STARS status for the second year in a row. In...

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Ed Osborn

The Fine Arts Instructional Center at Eastern Connecticut State University

Eastern featured in Princeton Review’s 2021 Guide to Green Colleges

Eastern Connecticut State University is one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to The Princeton Review in its “Guide to Green Colleges: 2021...

Posted on November 04, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern Students Green Up Willimantic

Over two weekends in September, approximately 30 student volunteers at Eastern Connecticut State University helped plant 50 trees and 120 shrubs in a 10,000-square-foot urban garden on High Street...

Posted on October 09, 2020 by Ed Osborn

Eastern Dining Initiatives Bring Seaweed, Underused Fish to Campus

Eastern Connecticut State University and three partnering universities are nearing the end of a two-year, $500,000 effort to incorporate underused foods from the ocean into the dining culture of...

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

Map of Connecticut showing towns involved in Sustainable CT.

100th Community Joins 'Sustainable CT'

Following the registration of Avon, East Windsor, Stratford, Waterbury and Woodstock, over the past two weeks, New Canaan became the 100th community to join Sustainable CT. A statewide program run...

Posted on February 19, 2020

‘Sustainable CT’ Matches $57K for Community Projects Across State

Organizations in seven Connecticut municipalities recently received $58,000 from the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund to kickstart local projects in their communities. The sustainability-minded...

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

'Community Match Fund' Available to Support Sustainability Projects in Connecticut

Connecticut residents are poised to lead the way toward a climate-resilient future through projects making change at the local level. Sustainable CT, an initiative run by the Institute for...

Posted on November 18, 2019

Lynn Stoddard Inducted into CT Women’s Hall of Fame

Lynn Stoddard, director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE) at Eastern Connecticut State University, was selected as a 2019 Honoree by the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame on Nov. 4.

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Vania Galicia

Left to right: Wayne Cobleigh, board chairman of the CTGBC; Lynn Stoddard and Abe Hilding-Salorio of Sustainable CT; and Alicia Dolce, executive director of CTGBC.

Sustainable CT Wins Green Building Council's Trail Blazer Award

Sustainable CT, a program run by the Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE) at Eastern Connecticut State University, was recently awarded the CT Green Building Council's Trailblazer Award.

Posted on November 08, 2019

Princeton Review Names Eastern a ‘Green College’ 10 Years Running

Eastern Connecticut State University has recently been recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the top “Green Campuses” in the United States. Based on a review of nearly 700...

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Molly Boucher

32 Communities Achieve 2019 'Sustainable CT' Certification

Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities in becoming more efficient, resilient and inclusive, announced its 2019 certified communities this week. Thirty-two...

Posted on October 28, 2019

Eastern’s Sustainability Initiatives Recognized by National Organization

Eastern Connecticut State University has been highlighted for its sustainability efforts in the “2019 Sustainable Campus Index,” a publication of the Association for the Advancement of...

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Dwight Bachman

Half of Connecticut Communities Now Participate in ‘Sustainable CT’

Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities in Connecticut to become more efficient, resilient and inclusive, has registered its 85th Connecticut municipality,...

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Lynn Stoddard

Eastern Receives High Sustainability Rating by AASHE

In recognition of its sustainability achievements, Eastern Connecticut State University has earned a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher...

Posted on May 01, 2019 by Ed Osborn

ISE Interns Shift Three Rivers CC to Sustainable Lighting

This January marked the conclusion of an Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE) project that began two years ago. Student interns from Eastern’s ISE conducted a massive conversion to...

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Jordan Corey

Demonstrations of Native dancing by members of the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes rounded out the Native American Heritage Day of Events on Nov. 13.

Eastern Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

Eastern Connecticut State University held several events in commemoration of Native American Heritage Month in November. Events featured prominent figures and speakers from the local Native...

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Jolene Potter

Princeton Review Names Eastern a Green College 9 Years in a Row

Eastern Connecticut State University is one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in 2018 according to The Princeton Review. Eastern is listed in the Review’s 2018 edition of...

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Michael Rouleau

22 Communities Statewide Achieve ‘Sustainable CT’ Certification

Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities in becoming efficient, resilient and inclusive, announced its first group of certified towns this week.

Posted on October 03, 2018 by Lynn Stoddard

Northeastern Connecticut launch of Sustainable CT

Sustainable CT, a new statewide initiative to support Connecticut's cities and towns, will be holding an upcoming regional launch event at the Connecticut Audubon Society Center in Pomfret on...

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Lynn Stoddard

Eastern Helps Launch Sustainable CT

Sustainable CT, a new statewide initiative to support Connecticut’s cities and towns, will have its launch in the Hartford area on January 16th at 6:00 p.m. in the Center for Contemporary...

Posted on January 13, 2018 by Lynn Stoddard

Eastern Supports Community Art Project

Three world-class design teams from Connecticut have been selected to prepare detailed design concepts for public artwork that generates renewable energy for the future Willimantic Whitewater Park...

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Lynn Stoddard

Eastern Helps Launch Sustainable CT

Sustainable CT, an exciting new initiative to support Connecticut’s cities and towns, launched on Nov. 28 at the annual convention of Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. The initiative,...

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Lynn Stoddard

Eastern’s ‘Campus Sustainability Week’

Eastern Connecticut State University will participate in the Third Annual Campus Sustainability Week from Oct. 9-15. The weeklong celebration is coordinated by the Connecticut Alliance for Campus...

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

Art Contest for Renewable Energy

The Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University is partnering with the Willimantic Whitewater Partnership (WWP), the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community...

Posted on October 10, 2017

Eastern a Green College 8 Years in a Row

For the eighth year in a row, Eastern Connecticut State University was named a “green” college by the Princeton Review. The announcement came on Sept. 20 when the review released its...

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

Co-creators of the emerging Sustainable CT program celebrate at Wickham Park in Manchester.

Sustainable CT to Provide Path toward Livable Communities

The creators of “Sustainable CT,” an initiative to help communities become more vibrant and livable, gathered at Wickham Park in Manchester, CT, on July 24 to celebrate their...

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Ed Osborn

Eastern's Institute for Sustainable Energy Empowers Sustainability Through Connecticut

The Connecticut Alliance for Campus Sustainability (CACS) held a statewide conference at Wesleyan University on March 31 to bring together higher education students, faculty and staff who share a...

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Christina Rossomando

Dining Hall Institutes Programs to Eliminate Food Waste

With the cooperation of students, faculty and staff, Eastern Connecticut State University’s Hurley Dining Hall has taken steps to help eliminate waste by cutting back on the trash that the...

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Edward Osborn

Eastern Joins Colleges Nationwide to Urge Action on Climate Change

Elsa Núñez, president of Eastern Connecticut State University, has joined two other Connecticut university presidents as well as those from colleges and universities in 35 other states,...

Posted on December 21, 2016

Princeton Review Names Eastern a 2016 Green College

Eastern Connecticut State University is one of the most environmentally responsible colleges according to The Princeton Review. The Review featured Eastern in its 2016 “Guide to 361 Green...

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern Connecticut State University Participates in Annual Sustainability Week

Eastern Connecticut State University will be hosting the Second Annual Campus Sustainability Week from Oct. 1-7.

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Christina Rossomando

Governor’s Council on Climate Change to Hold Public Input Meeting at Eastern

The Governor’s Council on Climate Change is holding meetings around the state on July 26 to update the public on the status of Connecticut’s climate change planning efforts and to...

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Ed Osborn

Eastern Joins New Climate Commitment

Eastern Connecticut State University, along with 83 other colleges and universities across the United States, has made a commitment to carbon neutrality and resilience by becoming a Charter...

Posted on May 06, 2016 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern Celebrates Sustainability

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Institute of Sustainable Energy hosted a booth celebrating sustainability in the Student Center on April 12. Faculty, staff and students were invited to...

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Christina Rossomando

Gabriela Wrobel, Eastern Intern Leads Institute of Sustainable Energy Business Panel

On March 21 a panel of small sustainable business owners participated in a “Sustainable Business Panel,” at Eastern Connecticut State University. The panel was organized and led by...

Posted on April 05, 2016 by Christiana Rossomando

Connecticut Colleges to Meet for Annual Sustainability Conference

Hartford, Conn. – Connecticut’s colleges and universities will gather on April 7 for their annual sustainability conference, “Climate Change Commitments: From Paris to Connecticut...

Posted on April 01, 2016 by Michael Rouleau