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Sustainability

Quick Facts

  • First environmental committee formed in 2000
  • Signed the Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007
  • Lowered our carbon emissions by 3% since 2013
  • We have a full-time Recycling Coordinator and Sustainability Manager to help manage our programming.
  • Villanova put together a Sustainable Leadership Council, who created and put out a Villanova specific, Sustainability Plan in 2020 that was based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and has quantifiable targets with set action plans.
  • On any given day we recycle and compost 37% of our waste!
  • All trash goes to Covanta, an energy-from-waste facility that burns the trash for electricity.
  • Dining provides pre-consumer composting in Donahue and Dougherty.
  • Every dining location sells at least one fair trade food item making Villanova a Fair Trade Campus.
  • We have 9 LEED certified buildings on campus: Austin Hall, Andy Tally Center, Law School, Driscoll Hall, Fedigan Hall, Sheehan Hall, Sullivan Hall, and the Commons
  • Villanova has over two dozen rain gardens around campus, as well as multiple other green infrastructure systems such as the, 530 SF greenroof, which is located above the Drosdick Hall Holy Grounds Café.
  • Students have the option to rent a bike for a semester or year through the Nova Bike Share program.
  • Villanova is purchasing 50% of grid provided electricity from a low-impact hydro facility in Holtwood, PA.
  • Faculty and staff can use pre-tax dollars to pay for public transportation costs.
  • Villanova offers a minor in Sustainability Studies through the College of Arts & Science that is open to any undergradate student. 
  • The College of Engineering offers a Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering.
  • The College of Liberal Arts and Science offers a Master of Science in Environmental Science.
VUSustainability

Villanova University, as a community of learned and learning scholars, respecting the sacredness of all creation, accepts its responsibility to the integrity of Earth and its biodiversity, to the heritage of future generations, and to the security of nations. By utilizing the Augustinian values of Unitas, Veritas, and Caritas, meaning love thy neighbor, promote community unity, and live life in moderation through our curriculum, work environment, and operations, Villanova’s approach to sustainability exemplifies an emphasis on social justice and community service.

For questions regarding campus sustainability email Sustainability@villanova.edu