College Magazine has recently ranked Loyola University Chicago one of the most eco-friendly colleges in America. With various sustainability initiatives and partnerships, Loyola has landed a spot at number five by implementing campus sustainability, creating student organizations and collaborating with local community organizations.
Their environmental initiatives such as the Campus Climate Action Plan, the Biodiesel Program and Loyola’s Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP) have worked to keep the community eco-friendly. These are only a few of the initiatives.
The annual Climate Change Conference hosted by Loyola discusses the impacts of climate change and environmental protection goals every year. The Campus Climate Action Plan’s main goal is making Loyola carbon neutral by 2025. This means leaving less of a carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gases.
Loyola’s Solutions To Environmental Problems (STEP) helps create local solutions which focus on food systems and water. The Searle Biodiesel Lab is a Loyola Biodiesel Program and has produced biodiesel from waste vegetable oil. STEP students began research courses on Biodiesel in 2007, which led to the starting of the lab. Over 10,000 gallons of biodiesel have been produced by the Searle Biodiesel lab from collecting waste cooking oil all around the city.
STEP students can work either hands-on in labs, field trips or volunteering at the Loyola Farmers Market. The Farmers Market offers fresh produce at an affordable price. Find more here.
Loyola’s initiatives and partnerships support their sustainability mission, which is having the lowest environmental footprint in Illinois by maintaining balance with replenishing resources at the same rate they’re being consumed. These goals are part of what makes Loyola the fifth most eco-friendly college in America.
Current research projects at Loyola mainly concentrate on problems that affect the ecosystem and human health. They include Aquatic Ecology, Clean Alternative Energy, and Ecological Restoration and Conservation. Loyola also grants student interdisciplinary research fellowships
