SUSTAINABILITY

Portland State is committed to sustainability across the institution: as a framework for operating our campus; as a core part of our educational and research objectives; and in the opportunities and futures we support for our students. PSU’s three anchors of sustainability are through our Student Sustainability Center, Planning and Sustainability Office, and the Institute for Sustainable Solutions.

Get Involved

The first step to getting involved is joining the Emerging Sustainability Leaders Program. Students who sign up gain access to opportunities to enhance their sustainability professional development skills and form community. These include unique workshops, social events and exclusive first access to Student Sustainability Center field trips. Student Sustainability Center programs are designed by and for students who want to create meaningful change. The SSC offers one day events, sustainability leadership, and professional development opportunities. These include the Sustainability Volunteer Program with gardens, cultural sustainability, and waste reduction.

Free Seed Library

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The Hub for Service and Sustainability houses a free seed library for students to access and exchange seeds. The seeds include herbs, food, and flowers, among other species. The Hub is located in SMSU M104 and is open four days a week fall, winter, and spring terms.

RECYCLING & REUSE SERVICES

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PSU provides services for recycling, reuse, and composting. PSU also provides Water Bottle Refilling Stations around campus to reduce waste from disposable plastic bottles, recycling of electronic waste, a reuse program to redistribute donated office and school supplies to the campus community, a Surplus Property Program to redistribute reusable office and classroom furniture to PSU departments, the Chuck-itfor-Charity move out program collects reusable items from students and donates them to charity. trayless dining in Victors Dining Hall to reduce food waste by 25-30% per person, and limiting printing of materials such as the course catalog, course schedule, and directory.

Reuse Room

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The Reuse Room, located in Cramer Hall room 180, is Portland State's on-campus resource for donating and acquiring used office, school, and home supplies. The Room relies on parttime volunteers, and the door is always open. Members of the PSU community are welcome to come in and find or donate supplies anytime.

SUSTAINABILITY COURSES & PROGRAMS

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PSU offers majors in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth Science, Environmental Science and Studies, Geography, Indigenous Nations and Native American Studies; minors in Sustainability, Sustainable Urban Development, Social Innovation, and Water Resources; and certificates in Forest Ecology and Management, Indigenous Traditional and Cultural Knowledge, and Lake and Reservoir Management. PSU also offers a slew of courses identified by the Institute for Sustainable Solutions as sustainability courses.