UC San Diego Ranked 9th
‘Greenest University” by Greenopia

August 27, 2009

By Pat Jacoby

The Greenopia national publication has ranked the University of California, San Diego as ninth out of the 100 largest U.S. colleges for its “environmental performance.”

At the top of the recently released environmental achievement rating was the University of Washington for four Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings and 25 percent locally grown food served in cafeterias, as well as a comprehensive composting program.

The publication noted that “UC San Diego has almost a dozen buildings in the LEED process, and requires that all new construction must be to LEED silver standard or better. The school has an incredible recycling rate, diverting over two-thirds of its waste, and is developing a composting program.”

“About 15 percent of UC San Diego’s energy comes from renewable sources (very high relative to other schools), the school has a very comprehensive water conservation program, and many campus vehicles run off of alternative fuels (mostly biodiesel or straight electric),” the publication commented.

Maggie Souder, campus sustainability coordinator, said: “We’re very proud that UC San Diego consistently rates high in our sustainability efforts. This is one indicator of how our students, staff and faculty collaborate to drive innovative environmental solutions.”

Rounding out the top 10 greenest schools were UC Santa Barbara, University of Oregon, UC Davis, Colorado State, Stanford, Harvard, Penn State and Duke.

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858-534-7404 or pjacoby@ucsd.edu