Western Washington University is deeply committed to a sustainable future, and for many years has been a national leader on environmental issues.

In 2006, Western’s Office of Sustainability was founded to coordinate many ongoing efforts, such as the purchase of green energy, waste reduction, and sustainability-minded courses. More recently, in March of 2007, former Western President Karen Morse became a Leadership Circle signatory to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

A Sustainable ResNet Symposium

Limiting the footprint of a conference is no small task. However, we’ve already been able to identify a wide variety of things we can do, particularly in collaboration with our Dining Services, to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Some of the possible efforts identified include:

• Using as much locally-grown and organic food as possible for meals
• Composting food waste according to Western’s current campus-wide program
• Using reusable dishware and silverware rather than paper and plastic
• Limiting paper publications via a full-featured website and email list
• Reducing the number of disposable giveaway items
• Offering simpler Symposium bags, or laptop bags, made locally and using sustainable materials

And, of course, Symposium attendees will be able to enjoy all of their wired and wireless technology with the comforting knowledge that Western has been purchasing all of its electricity from renewable sources since September 2005.