Sustainability
Surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, Auke Lake, and one of North America's most dynamic glacial ecosystems, sustainability is not an abstract goal at UAS — it is our responsibility and our daily context.
Key Initiatives
🔋 Renewable Energy Transition
UAS Juneau receives approximately 90% of its electricity from Juneau hydroelectric power. The university is piloting solar thermal panels on the Anderson Building roof as part of a 2030 carbon-neutral target.
♻️ Zero-Waste Campus Initiative
Comprehensive recycling stations in all buildings, composting in Mourant Café, and a ban on single-use polystyrene campus-wide. The 2025 zero-waste audit showed 62% diversion from landfill.
🌿 Green Building Standards
All new campus construction must meet LEED Silver equivalency. The 2024 Health Sciences Building addition was designed to LEED Gold standards with recycled local timber framing.
🚌 Transportation Alternatives
Free student bus passes (Capital Transit), covered secure bicycle storage, electric vehicle charging stations in the main parking lot, and a campus rideshare coordination board.
📚 Curriculum Integration
Sustainability content integrated into BIOL, ENVS, POLS, and BA courses through the UAS Sustainability Across the Curriculum initiative. An ENVS-prefix Sustainability Certificate is under development.
🌊 Auke Lake Stewardship
Annual Auke Lake water quality monitoring, riparian buffer restoration, and quarterly campus clean-up days open to students, staff, and Juneau community members.
Get Involved
The UAS Sustainability Committee meets monthly and welcomes student, faculty, and staff members. Contact Facilities Services to join or propose a new campus sustainability project.
Sustainability Committee
✉️ uas.facilities@alaska.edu
Carbon-neutral campus operations