Category: Seeing Sustainability

UC Sustainability Annual Report Highlights UCLA’s progress in multiple policy areas

Climate action on campus in 2024 includes sustainable food systems, reduced water usage, and a phase-out of single-use plastics.

Like every University of California location, UCLA fights climate change on multiple fronts. This collective action to combat the crisis is happening through clean energy, plant-based meals, green buildings, water consumption reduction, and eliminating plastics — and that’s just the operational side. There are also ongoing efforts in education, research, and public service. Here are some of UCLA’s sustainable standouts from last year.

Direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions decreased due to reduced gas consumption and increased use of renewable electricity. UCLA also completed a decarbonization study to identify ways to phase out fossil fuels and switch to cleaner energy alternatives for the campus.

UCLA’s food service operations got healthier, with more sustainable and plant-based options. Campus buildings also got greener, with three new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified additions in 2024, including the Nimoy Theater, an all-electric Gold-level classic movie house restoration.

There was significant progress in decreased total water use, considering the growth of the campus population with housing added for students. Continued water reclamation efforts and landscape transformations to native plants also had a positive impact, saving water.

UCLA reduced plastics in several areas. Single-use beverage bottles in dining facilities and vending machines were completely phased out, with continuing efforts to eliminate plastic bags and single-use foodware in dining facilities.

As the academic year wrapped up, several departments came together to host a sustainable move-out for student residents and commuter students living close to campus. Items such as furniture and houseware were collected and donated, which helped eliminate waste by keeping belongings out of landfills and reducing the environmental footprint of move-out. For a full look at University of California systemwide sustainability efforts and UCLA’s contributions, check out the 2024 Annual Report on Sustainable Practices.

Do a Spring Sustainability Refresh

Spring, symbolic of new beginnings, can be ideal for a sustainably-focused routine reset. The arrival of this brighter, warmer season, when the plants and flowers start to bud and bloom, is an opportunity for goal setting that contributes to a more sustainable future. Here are some positive changes you can adopt.

Choose organic seasonal fruits and vegetables, locally sourced from a neighborhood farmers market. The spring produce lineup includes asparagus, strawberries and other berries, carrots, peas, avocado, and onion.

Do a spring cleaning green-up. To tidy up, skip the chemicals, and use non-toxic products at home. Natural cleansers include baking soda, eucalyptus oil, and vinegar. Biodegradable, plant-based castile soap can also be an effective all-purpose cleaner for many surfaces.

Out with the old and in with the gently used! Planning a clear-out? Donate your unwanted furniture, clothing, or decor, and if you need replacement items, visit a thrift store or buy secondhand, like at the Bruin Flea market.

Get outside and see what’s thriving. Organize a picnic, visit a botanical garden — like the one right here on campus — get involved in a community garden — like the one right here on campus that hosts workshops each quarter — and join a campus bird walk with the Bruin Birding Club or learn about pollinators through Bruin Beekeepers at UCLA.

The outdoors belongs to everyone and deserves our care. Participate in a local park, river, or beach clean-up. Find an opportunity to serve a community through the UCLA Volunteer Center.

The sun is shining, and the days are longer, so instead of getting stuck in the car in inevitable L.A. traffic, walk or ride a bike to get where you need to go. It’s healthier for you and the environment. Every mile you do not drive reduces your carbon footprint by nearly one pound.

Plan ahead for Earth Day in April! Check out our events calendar for virtual and in-person happenings on campus and around Los Angeles. Subscribe to the e-newsletter featuring weekly content during Earth Month.

Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions

by Sofia Nonga Ngue

Live greener in 2025.

1. Take Public Transportation
Reduce your carbon footprint by using public transportation. Students, staff, and faculty can obtain a UCLA-issued transit pass and travel across Los Angeles.

2. Purchase Locally Grown Foods
The next time you need groceries, try visiting your local farmers market for fresh food. Westwood Village has a market every Thursday afternoon, there’s one run by UCLA students (follow on Instagram for updates), and many more across L.A. Don’t forget to bring your own bags!

3. Eat Less Meat
From animal feed to greenhouse gas emissions, meat production has a large environmental footprint. Reducing meat intake – even moderately – has a positive effect on your health and our planet.

4. Replace Single-Use Items With Reusable Products
Create less waste using reusable bottles, bags, and utensils.

5. Purchase Second-Hand
Lower your environmental impact by purchasing second-hand items such as clothing, electronics, books, and other common items.

6. Limit Online Shopping
When shopping online, reduce your environmental impact by consolidating multiple small orders into one bulk order and requesting the least amount of packaging.

7. Practice “Underconsumption”
Mass consumerism has littered landfills with vast amounts of waste. Avoid indulging in micro-trends and practice underconsumption by using or repurposing items you already own and investing in high-quality, long-lasting newer items.

8. Conserve Water
Ways to reduce water waste and conserve water include collecting the water from warming up your shower and turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth.

9. Eliminate “Phantom” Energy
Save energy by unplugging devices (ex. toasters, gaming systems, chargers, etc.) that are not in use.

10. Take Action
Get involved in a sustainability initiative – join or volunteer with a group or organization at UCLA, or off-campus, that is making a difference. See what you can do with the Bruin Relief Initiative to support our community members impacted by recent wildfires.

Taking Care of Ourselves and Our Communities

Many of you and your families and loved ones are directly impacted by the ongoing emergency and devastation of the fires across Los Angeles. Below are some resources to help you and those you know recover, stay secure and remain resilient – while we continue to monitor fires and air quality and begin the long road ahead of grief and recovery.

Chancellor Frenk has shared a message in this crisis which you can find here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7283225070678810627/.

WILDFIRE DISASTER RESOURCES

Sustainable Eating at UCLA: ASUCLA and UCLA Dining, Farmers Markets, and Campus Food Pantry and Recovery

by Liana Ngo

Living sustainably as a Bruin can sometimes feel overwhelming, but UCLA offers plenty of resources to help you make eco-friendly choices that are easy, affordable, and beneficial for the environment.

Whether you’re a student living on The Hill with a meal plan, or off-campus looking for fresh, local produce or need access to free groceries, UCLA has options that support a low-waste, sustainable lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown of how campus dining, the Westwood Village Farmers Market, UCLA Farmers Market, and Community Programs Office (CPO) Food Closet can help you eat sustainably.

UCLA Residential Dining Commons and On-Campus Food Outlets

Overall, UCLA food sustainability initiatives range from UCLA Dining’s page on the Carbon Footprint of Food to UC food policy and UCLA Sustainability Plan targets and progress. Across all UCLA food outlets, the percentage of spending on sustainable food options has increased, which reflects ASUCLA operations exceeding the 2030 targets significantly for sustainable and plant-based spend percentage, at 42% for each, due to an intentional focus on more sustainable purchasing on food items.

Among UCLA Dining locations, Bruin Plate is UCLA’s newest residential restaurant and offers a menu that focuses on fresh, wholesome, and nutritionally-balanced options and follows best practices of sustainability in food service operations. Bruin Plate offers food in an environment that supports “mindful eating,” encouraging you to pay attention to what you eat. Featuring whole foods that are in season, local, and all-natural is one approach that Bruin Plate takes to support food sustainability, and other approaches include:

– carefully choosing high-quality lean meats and using a greater variety of fresh vegetables

– using the healthiest cooking techniques such as grilling, roasting, baking, and poaching to capture the freshest flavors

– offering sweet bites for dessert that feature lower fat alternatives and lots of fresh fruit

Westwood Village Farmers’ Market: Fresh, Local, and Sustainable

Located in the heart of Westwood Village, the Westwood Village Farmers’ Market is a fantastic place to buy fresh, locally-grown produce and goods. Held every Thursday, this market offers a wide range of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and specialty items from local farmers and vendors. By shopping here, you’re supporting local agriculture, which reduces the environmental impact of transporting food over long distances.


In addition to produce, the market often features sustainable goods like honey, flowers, and handmade crafts. It’s also a great way to discover new ingredients or flavors, all while reducing your carbon footprint. Don’t forget to bring your own bags – whether reusable cloth or plastic and paper you’ve collected – and containers to minimize plastic waste and make your shopping trip even more sustainable.

UCLA Farmers Market: Local Food on Campus

If you’re looking for fresh food without leaving campus, the UCLA Farmers Market is the perfect solution. Organized by the UCLA Student Food Collective, this market is held several times each quarter and provides students with access to local, organic produce. The UCLA Farmers Market is a great way to eat fresh while supporting eco-friendly food systems right on campus. Many vendors at the market are committed to sustainable farming practices, so you can feel good about the impact of your food choices. Shopping at the market also supports student-led sustainability initiatives and helps create a more environmentally-conscious campus community.

CPO Food Closet and Bruin Dine: Sustainable Support for Bruins in Need

For Bruins facing food insecurity, the CPO Food Closet is an essential resource that also promotes sustainability. Located at the Student Activities Center (SAC), the food closet provides free groceries—including fresh produce and pantry staples—to any UCLA student in need.

CPO works to reduce food waste by sourcing surplus food from local stores and food drives. This not only helps students access healthy food but also prevents perfectly good food from going to waste. If you’re ever in need, the CPO Food Closet is here to help while also contributing to a more sustainable campus.

SAC is also where the student organization Bruin Dine serves leftovers from the UCLA Dining Halls for the community, three days a week (Tuesday-Thursday at 10:00 PM). For more info about Bruin Dine, visit https://basicneeds.ucla.edu/services/bruin-dine.

Tips for Sustainable Eating at UCLA

In addition to these great resources, here are a few extra tips to help you adopt sustainable eating habits on campus:

– Bring Reusable Bags and Containers: Whether shopping at a farmers market or grabbing groceries from the food pantry, using reusable bags and containers reduces single-use plastic waste. You can also keep a reusable set of utensils and cup or plate handy for whenever you are grabbing something to eat or drink!

– Cook in Bulk: Preparing meals in bulk is a cost-effective way to reduce food waste. Store leftovers in reusable containers to enjoy throughout the week.

– Focus on Plant-Based Meals: Plant-based eating is one of the most effective ways to lower your environmental impact. Try incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet, whether it’s for Meatless Monday or an everyday habit.

– Choose Seasonal Produce: Eating seasonal produce reduces the energy used to grow and transport food. Both the Westwood and UCLA Farmers Markets offer seasonal fruits and vegetables, so you can eat fresh while supporting sustainability.

With resources like ASUCLA and UCLA Dining, the Westwood and UCLA Farmers Markets, and the CPO Food Closet and Bruin Dine, UCLA makes it easier for Bruins to eat sustainably. By shopping local, reducing waste, and focusing on plant-based meals, you can enjoy fresh, healthy food while making a positive impact on the environment. Incorporating these sustainable habits into your daily life will not only benefit your health but also contribute to a greener UCLA community.

Liana Ngo is a junior cognitive science major concentrating in user experience and design.

UCLA Botany Building Achieves LEED Platinum

The renovation of UCLA’s Botany Building has achieved a LEED Platinum certification, recognizing its extraordinary achievements in sustainable design at the highest rank. The building is UCLA’s 65th LEED Certification, its 18th Platinum-rated building, and its first to reach that level of achievement under the demanding version 4 edition of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Rating System. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” a voluntary, third-party rating system that benchmarks a building’s sustainable attributes and features across a range of categories.

The Botany Building project renovated and seismically strengthened an important midcentury building on UCLA’s campus, designed by renowned Los Angeles Architect Paul Revere Williams, the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows and the posthumous recipient of its prestigious AIA Gold Medal. The revitalization of this historic gateway to UCLA’s Mathias Botanical Garden welcomes visitors with a new iconic mosaic mural that finally realized Williams’ original design vision, more than fifty years later after its inspirational first sketch – his lost detail in the original drawings was rediscovered during project research and now finally blossoms in the main lobby.

Modestly-scaled as viewed from Charles E. Young Drive, the Botany building faces beautiful garden views to the south, screened by innovative perforated metal sunshades that honor Williams’ design and also bring natural daylight and views deep into botanical offices, graduate study space, and laboratories. A three-level herbarium houses a library of seeds and preserved plant specimens, along with growth rooms for the incubation and study of plants. New shared study rooms and an upper-floor outdoor deck foster lively intellectual exchanges within a harmonious environment.

Restored building systems achieved 56.1% energy savings and 37.7% water savings, relative to code baselines. Remaining electrical demand in the building is sourced entirely from renewable generation. Interior finish materials and furnishings are healthy and VOC-free. Construction and Demolition waste streams were sorted and separated to maximize reclamation processes, and achieved a material recovery rate of 85.75%.

More details about the Botany project and its sustainable achievements may be found at the UCLA newsroom here, as well as in an online webinar presentation available through The American Institute of Architects California Council’s Climate Action Series: “Sustainable Restoration of Paul Revere Williams’ Mid-century Legacy at UCLA.”

Let’s Talk About Swag

UCLA Transportation giveaways featured in the photo include some thoughtful and useful items tied to the Bike Week event such as a bicycle repair kit, bottle, and tire lever.

Free “swag” or “advertising specialty” or “promotional products” are a common way for an organization to increase brand awareness while building customer relationships. This past year, UCLA schools and departments gave away nearly 2 million units of swag, and – while the desire to share UCLA’s spirit through gift giving is well-intentioned – there is increasing concern about how much of these items end up in the landfill.

The main issue is that many swag items are made from non-biodegradable materials and for short-term consumption. Commonly distributed swag falling under these categories include stress balls, keychains, silicone bracelets, and other tchotchkes. With their short lifespan, these items quickly find themselves in landfills where they take hundreds to thousands of years to break down. Not only does this produce harmful effects on the environment, but the sellers of swag items do not manufacture the items in their own facilities. Rather, they purchase their goods through networks of manufacturers whose identities and locations are not made transparent, increasing the chances of labor and human rights violations.

Cheap, ‘throwaway’ items that are made under unknown circumstances fail to effectively achieve their purpose of building positive brand visibility and lasting relationships. UCLA aims to be a leader in sustainable practices; therefore, our practices and any giveaways should reflect that.

Instead of automatic giveaways to every visitor or attendee, consider engaging people in an educational quiz or game before they receive an item or have people enter a drawing for a giveaway, rather than automatically giving away items to everyone. You can also consider giving away an experience like a tour or tickets to an event rather than a physical item, or a gift membership to a nonprofit museum, garden, or cause that aligns with your mission.

If you do decide to purchase any swag, here are a few questions to ask yourself when purchasing swag to ensure it is both meaningful and sustainable:

  1. What is my desired goal/outcome?
    • Swag is mainly used to raise brand awareness and connect an organization with its audience.
    • When selecting swag, it is important to determine what message(s) you hope to convey to your audience, and strategize how it can be delivered through your swag.
    • Additionally, consider whether that swag will connect with your consumer beyond the initial moment. Swag which exhibits value, intention and longevity provides an incentive for the recipient to keep the item, thus reducing waste while building brand recognition.
  2. Will people want this?
    • Another way to prevent swag from polluting our environment is by selecting desirable products or experiences. Research the trends that your audience enjoys, and explore ways to sustainably incorporate them into your swag to avoid a surplus of unwanted items.
    • For example, as opposed to giving away cheap, plastic water bottles to advertise athletics, recognize the high demand to attend games and consider giving away free tickets instead. Experiences are a great, sustainable alternative to physical swag as they can create memories without producing waste or taking up excess space.
  3. Is this functional/useful?
    • Students have expressed a desire for useful items when it comes to giveaways. Reusable swag such as tote bags and books provide a function for the receiver beyond just being a free gift.
    • Functional swag helps deter the item from collecting dust or being tossed into the landfill, and it becomes a valued part of the daily life of the recipient.
  4. Can I make this swag more sustainable? Or, is there a more sustainable alternative?
    • Finally, once you have decided on a swag item, consider if it matches campus standards for sustainability. The UCLA Single-Use Plastics Policy outlines UCLA’s commitment to eliminating single-use plastics on campus by both affiliates and non-affiliates.
    • Request product sellers to minimize or eliminate plastic packaging from orders, if possible. Look for companies who prioritize manufacturing using biodegradable/eco-friendly materials and reducing their carbon footprint. Collaborating with organizations who align with your sustainability standards assures that the swag you receive will share those standards.
    • Furthermore, UCLA’s Green Events Certification Guide provides guidelines for throwing eco-friendly events, including tips for purchasing sustainable swag.

Please remember that University Policy 110 requires authorization for use of the UCLA name and marks by campus organizations through the Request to Use UCLA Marks and that only UCLA Licensed Promotional Products companies are used to sell these items. UCLA licensees have signed contracts requiring strong workplace and human rights standards and to self-disclose as much as they know about the identity of the suppliers of the products they sell. A list of UCLA- licensed promotional product vendors identifies which sellers have earned B Corp sustainability certification and which licensees qualify as small, local, and diverse business enterprise ownership companies.

With these tips, you can reduce swag and help make UCLA’s giveaway items both spirited and sustainable!

Keeping Activities Green in the Division of Graduate Education

The Division of Graduate Education (DGE) oversees more than 100 doctoral and master’s programs at UCLA. It partners with graduate programs across campus to support the graduate student experience and ensure that graduate education is of the highest quality. From the New Graduate Student Welcome to the celebration of the awarding of a degree, DGE manages many milestone happenings—and here, they strive to keep sustainability in mind.

Ivy Ebuen leads the operations and external relations team for DGE. Ebuen takes care of logistics and works to keep activities green, which is critical when hosting events – especially with eight big signature engagements and about 25 smaller unit events that each draw 50 to 100 attendees.

Events can generate a large amount of waste and consume resources. Incorporating eco-friendly practices can reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Associate Dean Kristen McKinney – who came to DGE after engaging with UCLA’s Healthy Campus Initiative in her previous position – arrived in her new role wanting to work with the staff to identify areas for reducing the division’s carbon footprint.

The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony was the first event to get a sustainable makeover. A multi-page hard copy booklet containing every graduate’s information, with two versions for students and attendees, resulted in around 1,500 to 2,000 copies. Now, the division has pivoted to an electronic program and a single card (with a link to a PDF flipbook with full details) to reduce paper consumption.

Reducing single-use plastics, wherever possible, is another initiative. For catering, Ebuen requests compostable or recyclable serving ware and cups – and tries to incorporate vegetarian and vegan options (more plant-based, less meat), too, which cuts back on emissions.

DGE has also eliminated environmentally harmful balloons from events and incorporated reusable signage. Taking public transit to the division’s welcome event is encouraged by including bus route details with website event information.

The division has been moving towards greener practices in other ways, including ordering sustainable office supplies, like rechargeable batteries, and using sleep mode for computers to conserve energy.

“We’re always looking for ways to minimize our impact,” said Ebuen, with McKinney adding that UCLA Sustainability has been a great resource to reach out to for help.


Ready to get started with green changes in your department or organization? Visit the UCLA Sustainability website for actions to take.

Bruins Going Green: Library edition!

Tom Rosholt, UCLA Library’s building officer, was approached years ago about adding the then-new centralized waste bins with three streams for compost, recycling, and landfill on-site — some of the first ever placed on campus. That early ask turned into a grander effort that led to completing the City of Los Angeles Green Business Certification Program for UCLA Library locations spanning the system, including the Charles E. Young Research Library (YRL), Science and Engineering Library (SEL Boelter and SEL/Geology), Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, Powell Library, Eugene and Maxine Rosenfeld Management Library, and the Music and Arts libraries.

“UCLA Library was the first entity on campus to complete the certification, and was happy to be the test subject and lead the way,” said Rosholt, who is stationed in YRL and handles facilities and related projects like remodeling and construction.

Becoming a Certified L.A. Green Business involves meeting program standards in the following categories: energy, pollution prevention, solid waste, transportation, wastewater, water, and community. Each has a detailed checklist of core measures to demonstrate progress. The process also involves site visits to each location with a liaison from the City. Overall, UCLA recently earned 66 L.A. Green Business certifications for departments from a variety of divisions, including: UCLA Anderson School of Management, UCLA Asset Management, UCLA Facilities Management, UCLA Graduate Division, UCLA Health, UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, and UCLA Wilshire Center.

While achieving the City of LA’s green certification for multiple Library sites may seem like a heavy undertaking, because YRL did it first, it was easier the second go-around, according to Rosholt.

For example, with purchasing, while different, the libraries use similar products. Sustainable changes in purchasing included switching to soy-based ink and going with multi-use recycled copy paper — and a commitment to ENERGY STAR® equipment and appliances.

Another innovation was IT standardizing the computers to turn off and save energy when not in active use with power management software. Lighting occupancy sensors also help conserve energy, along with switching to energy-efficient bulbs and fixtures in other locations. Using programmable and smart thermostats also helps conserve power. Transitioning to DocuServe—secure digital content used for printing, signing, scanning, and sending documents—also helps save paper.

For the community category, there is signage at several spots within each location educating on-site staff, other Bruins, and campus visitors about properly disposing of waste and reminding them to conserve energy by switching off lights, along with information about the University of California Sustainable Practices Policy.

These sustainable modifications apply to office spaces for staff and commons areas utilized by students, faculty, and visitors. For the public areas, one alteration was the installation of hydration stations to encourage reusable containers and temper purchases of single-use plastic water bottles. Within offices, for staff, there are reusable plates, bowls, utensils and cups, and more water stations. Several Library employees also ride bikes or take LA Metro to work – fulfilling the green commuting requirement in the transportation category of the checklist.

Rosholt was pleasantly surprised by the number of people actively wanting to help comply with the certification and enthusiastic to make changes. “Library staff are already conservation-minded, so convincing them to go green wasn’t needed, which was nice,” said Rosholt. “It’s a big thing to establish a culture of sustainability, through a certification like this – and get support for it.”

5 Ways Bruin Grads Can Celebrate Commencement Sustainably

Pollution and litter may be the last thing crossing the minds of the Class of 2024 as they complete their final assignments and tests, ascend a stage to accept their diploma, and then turn their cap tassel to the right, but celebrating responsibly is still important. Commencement creates an opportunity to practice sustainable habits and take lessons learned from Earth Day in the spring to graduation season – and hopefully into your life after UCLA. Here are five practices to help offset the carbon footprint of commencement.

1. Digitize Invites
Instead of paper announcements, create a digital version, using Evite or Paperless Post, for example.

2. Green Your Graduation Commute
Ride to the event sustainably by carpooling with friends, family, other supporters, or fellow graduates. You could even take the trip by bus or bike to arrive environmentally in style.

3. Eco-Friendly Photo Alternatives
While glitter and confetti seem fun and remain a popular option to feature on your Instagram Grid and TikTok to commemorate graduation, opt for environmentally unharmful items. Keep capturing the festivities creatively and eco-friendly with bubbles, dried flowers, hole-punched leaves, birdseed, or alternative confetti made of biodegradable or compostable materials.

Balloons are also bad for the planet. Switch them out for fun props instead. Make a statement and preserve a memory with a crafty sign, letter board, chalkboard, or picture frame. Maybe even pose with a plush teddy bear or blue and gold pompoms!

4. Upcycle That Gown
Don’t let your graduation attire be a one-time-use outfit that collects dust in the closet. Either return that regalia or donate it to a secondhand or thrift store.

5. Party Responsibly
Celebratory dinner at home? For the meal, try less meat and more vegetarian or vegan options, locally sourced eats, use reusable or compostable dining ware and cutlery, and send guests home with leftovers in reusable containers. And go with DIY decorations.

Reduce waste, help the planet, and still celebrate, making commencement sustainable and memorable. Find more tips to make your celebration as close to zero waste as possible in this blog post. Congratulations, Class of 2024!