FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Think Green Trying to protect the planet from pollution and climate change can feel like a heavy responsibility—a problem too overwhelming for small, everyday actions to matter. What good does it do to flick off the porch light or swap your car for a bike? It can mean a lot, though, when you use the power of a big family to make a difference. That’s what’s happening at USC. Consider the water refill stations scattered across the university. When students, staff ff and facultyy use theirr own waterr bottles instead off single-use plastic bottles,, theyy take a strongg stand againstt waste.. Checkk out some otherr ways USC goes green.
SEEING STARS
Compare USC’s progress on the national green scene against more than 1,000 universities through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. USC joined STARS in 2021 and earned a silver star, the third-highest rating awarded.
WATER AND SOLAR PANEL PHOTOS BY ISTOCK; RECYCLING STATION PHOTO BY HUES TRAN
WASTE NOT
HERE COMES THE SUN About 1,500 solar panels sit atop the Galen Center’s roof, covering 50,000 square feet in USC’s biggest sustainability project.
You can find 70 recycling stations with containers for sorting recyclables, compostable items, liquids and landfill trash on USC campuses. Expect 200 more by this summer.
SOAK IT IN
About 150 feet under USC Village’s paving stones, water flows. A collection system of tanks and pipes captures rainwater and diverts it to the aquifer. The result: more water for L.A.’s supply, less wasted runoff to the ocean. trojanfamily.usc.edu
WINDS OF CHANGE Hate loud leaf blowers? You won’t find them at USC, where landscapers use environmentally friendly blowers powered by electricity. usc trojan family
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