Sustainability

University Housing promotes sustainability and green initiatives within our residence halls. A few examples are recycling bins located in each hall, ongoing collaborations with campus and community partners in facilitating sustainability programming, and the promotion of a green lifestyle among residents.

Sustainability Living-Learning CommunitySustainability

This community provides students interested in sustainability and sustainable living with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the principles and practice of sustainability, while developing skills, leadership, and a community of support. Participants in this immersive LLC will live together, take classes together, and take action together. They will participate in campus sustainability programming and service projects. As sustainability is an inherently transdisciplinary pursuit, participants from any major are welcome. You do not have to be pursuing a degree in Sustainability to live in this community, but participants will be exposed to this new major as an option. 

GREEN ROOM, its one-of-a-kind!

The Green Room gives students who have a passion for sustainability an opportunity to experience and facilitate sustainable living practices on campus. It is a double occupancy room, renovated in 2009 using green design principles, featuring several innovative amenities such as bamboo flooring, low-flow bathroom fixtures, a self-healing clay wall, ceiling fan, and large windows. These unique features not only make the Green Room unlike any other on campus, but they help reduce costs by minimizing energy and water usage.

For more information about the Green Room (as well as a video about the room), follow the links below:

University of Louisville Model Green Rooms
Green Room featured in U of L Today!

Cardinal Directions

Planning a trip for the weekend, holidays, or a break? Don't drive alone! Other students may be headed the same way, so consider sharing the ride. You'll save money, make new friends, reduce pollution, ease traffic congestion, and reduce parking problems for everyone! Post your ride offers and needs with our free Cardinal Directions trip-planning and carpool-matching service!

Bike Sharephoto of students on bicycles

Another way to be sustainable is to take advantage of the Bike Share Program. This program is offered to all UofL students, and it is entirely free.

The bikes are reclaimed and repaired, keeping them out of landfills. UofL students can check out a bike from the Student Recreation Center on a daily basis. A limited number of bikes are also available for semester-long check outs - apply here for long-term borrowing. Students are welcome to utilize the bikes on or around campus, and they may check out a bike as frequently as they would like. 

LouVelo Citywide BikeShare offers UofL Discounts! Register with your @louisville address for 50%-off monthly student memberships! Check out LouVelo.com and try out the citywide bikeshare system with station on both UofL campuses. For just $7.50/month you get unlimited 1-hour rides on 300+ bikes. Learn more.

UofL Free StoreFree Store Bins

Everyone in the UofL community is encouraged to help keep useful things out of the landfill through the UofL Free Store. Located in SAC W303C, the Free Store is a space for the on-going free exchange of clean, durable items like clothing, shoes, electronics, small appliances, household items, bath & beauty supplies, books, school & art supplies, and more. Donations can be made any time in the red bins at the base of the driveway just east of Unitas Tower, off Cardinal Blvd. UofL promotes an inclusive environment for all, regardless of gender identity and/or gender expression. The Free Store is a Transgender-Friendly space. The store is run with the help of volunteers and is open to all UofL students and employees. Follow the Free Store on Facebook

Cardinal Cupboard Food PantryCardinal Cupboard

The Commonwealth Credit Union Cardinal Cupboard's goal is to reduce food waste on campus by allowing students, faculty, and staff to donate unwanted food items and offer it to those in need. Located on the Swain Student Activities Center W314 (Third Floor).

Ecolympics

Ecolympics is a university wide program that incorporates two programs, Campus Race to Zero Waste and an energy conservation competition. The goal of Ecolympics is to reduce trash, waste, and energy consumption across campus and to make our university greener and more sustainable. Prizes are award to those individuals who go above and beyond with implementing green initiatives in their everyday routine. A portion of Ecolympics also involves a hall verses hall competition with University Housing. The hall who reduces the most energy usage over the course of 3 weeks wins a hall prize.

Lighten Your LoadLighten Your Load Event

Also, we would like to invite you all the attend the signature event, Lighten Your Load, that is held annually each spring semester. This program is an opportunity for residents to donate any unwanted items instead of throwing them away at the end of the year. Students will have the opportunity to peruse the collected donated items. All items are free and we welcome anyone to drop off any donated items as well at the event! In the past, the University of Louisville donated over 8,800 pounds of donated items to the local Goodwill! A giant blue container will be been placed in each of the residence halls to serve as collection points for the residents. Items that can be donated include the following:

  • Clothing and shoes
  • Small electronics and appliances
  • Miscellaneous household goods
  • Towels
  • Books and school supplies
  • Backpacks and purses