Sustainability

The Bowdoin Sustainability Office originated in 2001 as an office within Facilities Management focused on reducing the college's environmental impact. The Sustainability Office has implemented or overseen many projects over the years including significant waste reduction efforts during student move-out, food waste diversion programs, Bowdoin’s transition to single stream recycling, alternative transportation programming, developing one of the first EcoRep programs in the country, and focusing on efforts to become a carbon neutral campus. 

Bowdoin Achieved Carbon Neutrality in 2018 two years ahead of schedule, making Bowdoin among the first few colleges in the country to have achieved its commitment. When Bowdoin achieved carbon neutrality in 2018 the College promised it wouldn’t stop there—the ultimate goal is to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and advance a resilient campus that models climate solutions, creating educational opportunities for our students throughout the process.

STARS GOLD Rating

Bowdoin has earned a STARS GOLD rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System is a comprehensive sustainability rating system for colleges and universities that addresses the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.

Tree Campus USA

Bowdoin College has earned distinction through the Tree Campus Higher Education Program! Bowdoin achieved the distinction by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education's five standards, including maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and student service-learning project.