Sustainability at BSU

Research

• 

  Drs Ed & Terry Brush Green Chemistry Education Lab

• Dye Garden, where dye plants grow in the campus garden to be used in textile and art projects.
• Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research (ISR) Grants, offered by the Sustainability Program, support faculty- and librarian-led student projects. These grants promote collaborative, interdisciplinary research that reflects the program’s mission to engage the BSU community and regional partners in advancing sustainable practices. Funded projects contribute to integrating sustainability into learning, teaching, research, and everyday life.
• Onsite Upcycling of plastic bottles for shredding, extruding and reusing in the Maker Space/Think Tank with Chemistry.
• Permaculture Garden

Leading Change on Campus and Beyond

Sustainability engagement at BSU connects academic learning, campus life, and public partnership. Students, faculty, staff, and community collaborators participate in initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and applied problem‑solving.

Engagement efforts include student‑led organizations, campus‑wide programming such as STEM Week, educational outreach, and public forums that support regulatory transparency, regional collaboration, and shared learning.

Campus Engagement

• Student Organizations, including Environmental Action Team, Global Brigades BSU, Biology Club, Women in STEM, Inclusive Advancement of Multicultural Students in STEM, Chemistry Club
• STEM Week, an annual campus event
• Educational Signage on trash receptacles in Rondileau Student Union to raise awareness about recycling
• Move Out Recycling and Food Pantry Donation Program in association with Residence Life and Housing, FM & Food Pantry

Public Engagement

BSU engages the broader community through public meetings, educational programming, regional partnerships, and sustainability reporting. Public engagement supports transparency, shared learning, and collaboration on environmental and infrastructure‑related initiatives.

• 2024 Sustainability Report
• MS4 Permit Annual Public Meeting, held on Dec. 3 at 11 a.m.
• Student Energy Ambassador Program
• West Parking Lot, which features informational signage on green parking
• Campus Empower Grant and related event with Greater New Bedford Energy Collaborative, Stonehill College, Massasoit Community College and BSU students

Greener Campus Operations

BSU advances sustainability through campus operations that prioritize energy efficiency, emissions reduction, responsible resource management, and regulatory compliance. Operational initiatives span buildings and grounds, transportation, fleet management, dining services, procurement, and waste reduction, and are informed by performance data, state mandates, and long‑term planning.

Investments in renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, fleet modernization, and sustainable purchasing demonstrate BSU’s commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining safe, reliable, and resilient campus services.

Buildings & Grounds

BSU integrates sustainability into campus buildings and grounds through high‑performance design, renewable energy investments, and resource‑efficient infrastructure. Multiple academic, residential, and administrative buildings are LEED‑certified, and solar installations across campus support long‑term emissions reduction and energy resilience.

USGBC LEED Rated buildings

Solar Energy

BSU has shifted close to 50% of its annual electrical usage to solar power through a combination of power purchase agreements and on‑site installations, substantially expanded its use of solar energy as a core component of its reporting and long‑term decarbonization strategy. BSU’s solar portfolio consists of multiple rooftop and parking‑canopy photovoltaic systems distributed across academic, residential, and operational facilities, representing more than 2 MW of installed on‑site solar generation capacity. These systems produce renewable electricity that directly offsets grid‑supplied power, reduces Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, and improves campus energy resilience.

Collectively, BSU’s solar installations—including major canopy systems and building‑mounted arrays provide a measurable contribution to institutional climate goals, support compliance with Massachusetts clean‑energy mandates, and demonstrate sustained progress toward a low‑carbon campus consistent with Executive Order-driven decarbonization efforts. 

EV Charging Stations

Bridgewater State University operates 22 electric vehicle charging ports across campus, including public‑access and fleet‑designated stations, supporting low‑emission. Stations include 22 Level 2 electric vehicle charging ports across campus, including 6 fleet‑designated ports that directly support zero‑emission fleet deployment and 16 mixed‑use ports that support employee and community electric vehicle adoption, consistent with the requirements and intent of Massachusetts Executive Order 594. 

• DMF: 4 stations, 8 plugs
• Adrian Tinsley Center: 1 station, 2 plugs
• Swenson Lot: 2 stations, 4 plugs
• Weygand: 3 stations, 6 plugs  
• Operations Center (Fleet): 4 stations, 8 plugs
• Future station: Burnell: 2 stations, 4 plugs

Fleet & Grounds Equipment

BSU continues to modernize its fleet and grounds equipment to reduce emissions and improve efficiency. Investments include electric and hybrid vehicles, electric mowers, and low‑emission waste collection equipment that supports campus operations while reducing environmental impact.

• Kenworth Rear Loading Refuse Collection Truck (aka BSU “Packer” truck), outfitted with selective catalytic reduction technology (SCR), creating near zero emissions. The Kenworth truck is equipped with a PACCAR engine. From 2013 to 2019 PACCAR has reduced greenhouse gas emissions 38%. Emissions requirements both for NOx and PM (particulate matter) are reduced by 90% from 2004 levels. In 2020, PACCAR achieved an A- score from CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), placing in the top 15% of over 9,500 companies reporting and demonstrating a robust approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.          
• 4 Electric Mowers: Grant funded, received in fall 2025
• University Fleet conversion to hybrid and electric vehicles. BSU's goal is to transition 20% of its fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030. BSU has met MA Executive Order 594 ZEV goals for 2025 and is on track for 2030.
  • 13 electric utility vehicles
  • 1 plug-in electric vehicle
  • 2 registered electric low-speed vehicles
  • 3 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)
  • 1 police hybrid vehicle

Water & Waste Reduction Infrastructure

Water bottle refill stations and waste‑reduction infrastructure are installed throughout campus to reduce single‑use plastics and support sustainable daily practices. These systems are complemented by recycling, composting, and material diversion programs that engage students, staff, and visitors.

There are 50 water bottle refill stations across campus in the following locations:

Energy & Climate

Bridgewater State University tracks campus energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions through integrated Energy Management and Building Automation Systems that combines real‑time operational controls with utility and performance data analytics. The system continuously monitors electricity, natural gas, water, and heating systems across academic, residential, and support facilities, capturing meter‑level and equipment‑level data used to evaluate building performance, manage peak demand, and inform operational decisions. Energy consumption data are correlated with weather conditions, occupancy patterns, and system operations to support emissions tracking dashboards, demand response participation, and long‑term climate planning. These performance metrics provide a consistent, verifiable basis for assessing energy efficiency, estimating emissions impacts, and measuring progress toward institutional sustainability and climate goals. 

Food & Dining

Dining Services integrates sustainability through waste reduction, local and regional sourcing, and responsible procurement practices. Initiatives include food waste tracking, conversion of waste oil to biofuel, partnerships with local farms, and third‑party sustainability certification.

• 23% ($918K) in regional spend (50-mile radius)
• 7% ($300K) in local spend within state of Massachusetts
• 13.3% ($360K) in diverse and small business spend
• Level 1 Certified Green Restaurant by Green Restaurant Association (May 2025)
• Harvest of the Month Program, partnering local farms with BSU; commitment to purchasing 1,570 pounds of food thru the harvest program for the 2025-2026 academic year

Procurement

Sustainable procurement practices guide purchasing decisions across the university, including recycled content materials, environmentally preferable cleaning products, and responsible electronics sourcing. These practices support lifecycle cost efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Waste & Recycling

BSU supports waste reduction and material diversion through campus‑wide recycling programs, specialized collection for batteries, bulbs, textiles, and Styrofoam, and student‑led recycling initiatives. Infrastructure and education work together to reduce landfill waste.

Transportation

Sustainable transportation options at BSU include public transit access, carpool parking, and regional commuter rail connections. These options support reduced single‑occupancy vehicle use while improving campus and regional mobility.

Commencement Regalia

BSU’s graduation regalia/caps & gowns, sourced from Oak Hall, are made with 100% post‑consumer recycled plastic bottles.  

• On average, each gown in the GreenWeaver line repurposes 23–27 plastic bottles.
• Oak Hall also…
  • Collects, bundles and recycles leftover and scrap fabric from manufacturing plant,
  • Uses recycled bags for storage and recycled cardboard shipping cartons,
  • And employs carbon‑based (CO₂) dry‑cleaning methods in mass production. 

Keeping the Future in Mind

Sustainability at BSU is embedded in institutional planning, policy development, and administrative coordination. The university aligns sustainability priorities with capital planning, decarbonization goals, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices through coordinated leadership and cross‑functional collaboration.

Participation in state initiatives, national associations, and sustainability reporting frameworks supports accountability, continuous improvement, and informed decision‑making.

Coordination & Planning

• EO 594
• Decarbonization Plan
• 2024 Master Plan
• Institutional Memberships:  AASHE, SCUP, MAFMA, APPA, NACUBO

Investment Policy

The Bridgewater State University Foundation maintains an investment policy that guides asset management and fiduciary oversight. The policy supports long‑term institutional stability while reflecting principles of responsible governance and stewardship. 

• Bridgewater Foundation investment policy

Social Equity

• The Racial Equity and Justice Institute (REJI)
• Gender Neutral and Accessible Restrooms

Wellbeing & Work

• Remote Work Policy
• AFSCME Unit 1 Alternative Summer Work Program 

Bringing It All Together

Innovation at Bridgewater State University reflects the integration of sustainability into academic inquiry, operational practice, planning, and institutional leadership. BSU advances innovative approaches that strengthen environmental stewardship, support resilience, and enhance learning by connecting research, technology, policy, and practice. These efforts emphasize scalable solutions, cross‑disciplinary collaboration, and leadership development that extend sustainability beyond individual projects and into long‑term institutional impact.