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Sustainability Standards

The Office for Sustainability is committed to raising the standard of sustainability at Harvard. From the chemicals we use to clean our buildings, to the materials we use to construct state-of-the-art buildings, we are ensuring our operational choices are informed and intentional to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future on our campus and beyond.


Upcoming Sustainability Events

October

14

Wednesday
11:00 am-2:00 pm GMT+0000

Community Freecycle

Join us at our community Freecycle in the Smith Campus Center!

Drop off reusable goods you no longer need, and browse an excellent selection of items brought by others. Popular items include books, clothes, and household goods. Only donate items in clean and working condition.

Everyone is welcome, and no donation is necessary to shop!

September

09

Wednesday
11:00 am-2:00 pm GMT+0000

Community Freecycle

Join us at our community Freecycle in the Smith Campus Center!

Drop off reusable goods you no longer need, and browse an excellent selection of items brought by others. Popular items include books, clothes, and household goods. Only donate items in clean and working condition.

Everyone is welcome, and no donation is necessary to shop!

November

20

Friday
1:00 pm-4:30 pm GMT+0000

Salata Institute Climate and Sustainability Career Expo

Are you a Harvard or MIT student or alumni interested in a career in climate and sustainability? Or an employer interested in reaching Harvard University and MIT students with career opportunities? The Salata Institute Climate and Sustainability Career Expo is a collaborative effort across Harvard schools and MIT to connect organizations focused on climate, sustainability, and the environment with Harvard undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni. Join us for the next expo on Friday, November 20, 2026 from 1:00 – 4:30pm.

September

09

Wednesday
5:00 pm-6:00 pm GMT+0000

Council of Student Sustainability Leaders (CSSL) Info Session

INFO SESSION (required to apply for CSSL program): Please RSVP by September 8 to attend the CSSL Info Session on September 9 @ 5-6pm. If you cannot attend, you must watch the recording (which will be posted here on September 10) before applying.

November

17

Tuesday
2:00 pm-3:00 pm GMT+0000

Sustainability Spotlight: Geothermal Heating at Weld Hill

Did you know that the Weld Hill Research Building at the Arboretum has the largest geothermal heating system at Harvard? There are 88 wells hidden under the namesake hill which help heat and cool the state-of-the-art research building. Join Head of Operations and Project Management Danny Schissler for a behind-the-scenes look at this fascinating system.

This tour will be a mix of indoors and outdoors.

September

16

Wednesday
12:30 pm-1:30 pm GMT+0000

Sustainability Spotlight: Irrigation

As climate change leads to increased temperatures and extreme weather patterns, drought is becoming more and more of a concern at the Arboretum. Staff have been working hard to install irrigation systems around the landscape since the record-breaking drought of 2016, working to increase the resiliency of our collections to periods of drought and dry weather, and this fall represents one of the biggest irrigation projects yet. Join Head of Operations and Project Management Danny Schissler and Head Operator Jed Romanowiz to learn how the Arboretum keeps trees watered in areas without irrigation, the Arboretum’s plans for new irrigation installations, and how all of these systems actually work.