Sustainability Projects and Initiatives

In efforts to reduce paper waste on campus funding from the LUCC Environmental Project Fund were utilized to purchase eight electric hand dryers for the Warch Campus Center and two electric hand dryers in Chapman Hall. In the project proposal it was estimated that the hand dryers installed in the campus center would result in a savings of $3,766 per year in paper towel costs (after considering added electric costs), not to mention the decrease in paper waste! After one year of the dryers being in use, it was confirmed that the dryers saved $3,659.70 in one year.

In 2018 Lawrence purchased new, clearly marked waste receptacles. These receptacles can be found in most major campus buildings, including residences halls, as well as outdoors. The dual stream bins make it easy to identify the trash bin from the recycling bin and the combined structure ensures that everywhere there is a trash bin, a recycling bin is available also.

One Lawrentian centered their senior experience project around waste contamination at Lawrence. The results of the project demonstrated that installing the new containers decreased Lawrence's waste contamination rate! Learn more about the project on the Sustainable Initiatives and Projects page.

In 2019 Lawrence University administration approved a Solid Waste Policy. Find the Policy on the Sustainability Resources page under Sustainability Policies.

Travis Charlow '18 received funding from the Student Sustainability fund to conduct waste audits which revealed that in some buildings Lawrence's waste/recycling contamination rate exceeded 50%. The Sustainability Steering Committee purchased new trash and recycling bins for all major campus buildings to help solve this problem, much thanks to Travis' research. Read Travis's full report here.

Sarah Woody '19 received funding from the Student Sustainability Fund to explore the other living things in the SLUG Garden. She created a SLUG Biodiversity Index which ponders the question "how do humans and wildlife interact within the garden ecosystem?"

Increasing access to the tools needed to live a healthy lifestyle is an important component of sustainability. In an effort to decrease usage of single use plastic water bottles and promote a healthy lifestyle which includes drinking plenty of water, Jason Lau '19 obtained funding from the Student Sustainability Fund to install two water bottle fill stations in the Buchanan Kiewitt Wellness Center.

Lawrence is certified as a BeeCampus USA and is working hard to make its grounds a safe place for pollinators.

Gillian Buckardt '22 applied for funding to install a demonstration beehive on the roof of the Warch Campus Center. The hive will be maintained by Professor Del Toro and his lab.

The hive can be viewed through a window on the fourth floor of the campus center.

Floreal Crubaugh ’20 received funding from the Student Sustainability Fund to attack weed and invasive species in SLUG by hiring a herd of goats!

The goats munched on thistle and burdock weeds in the garden for two-weeks before moving on to their next assignment. Read more about the story here.

Jessica Robyns '19 spent her summer at Lawrence's northern campus, Bjorklunden, researching the current land management practices and pollinators in the area. Her research led her to make recommendations for the maintenance of the property and initiated the creation of a pollinator garden. 

The garden will provide food for Bjorklunden’s native bees, add beauty to what is currently a lawn space, and provide education and entertainment to Bjorklunden’s many guests.

Eight students from Greenfire, a student organization, attended The Wild Things Conference. This conference celebrates northeast Wisconsin's nature and how people enjoy and protect it.

The students documented their experience with a video .

The Lawrence University Environmental Organization is working hard to help students live more sustainably in the residence halls. The group applied for funding through the Student Sustainability Fund to purchase composting bins for the major residence halls. The group is responsible for emptying the bins at SLUG every week.

Working with Professor Del Toro, Claire Zimmerman '20 and Allegra Taylor '20 created a five year plan to turn the Lawrence campus into a safe haven for bees. Their work earned Lawrence the designation of Bee Campus USA by the Xerces Society. Lawrence is currently one of only two bee campuses in Wisconsin.

Alyssa Ayen '19 recieved funding from the Student Sustainability Fund to support her internship and summer project titled "Building Connections: How nonprofit organizations influence the environment". Her project took her to the Urban Ecology Field Lab in Chicago where she participated and monitored prairie restoration projects and impact on pollinators.

Alyssa presented her research and findings to the Lawrence community. View Alyssa's research here.