Everything Employees Need to Know About Sustainability at CofC
From volunteer opportunities to Green Office certification, here's what faculty and staff need to know about sustainability efforts at the College of Charleston.
The Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) continues to expand opportunities for faculty and staff to engage with sustainability efforts across campus.
Faculty and staff may check out the CSD’s page on The Hub for the most up-to-date information specifically for them:
Below are some key resources, programs and upcoming events for employees to be aware of.
Compost Drop-Off
The College has partnered with Charleston County and the City of Charleston to host a residential compost drop-off site on campus for all staff, students, faculty members and community members to participate in for free!
The Charleston area has 22+ convenient food drop-off locations that are free to the public, including the one hosted by the College of Charleston, located behind the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Building, directly off the sidewalk on Duncan Street.
Learn more about this wonderful program on the Center for Sustainable Development’s Residential Compost Program Hub page.
Recycling Guides
Not sure what can be recycled on campus? The College of Charleston has a lot to offer when it comes to recycling on campus.
Updated recycling guides are available to help clarify proper waste sorting and reduce contamination. These resources are a great tool to share with students and incorporate into office spaces. Be sure to also look at the guides for hard-to-recycle items, some of which include batteries, ink cartridges, plastic bags, office supplies, scrap metal and more!
Please see our Recycling Guides Hub page for more information!
Cougar Free Store
The Free Store provides access to gently used clothing, shoes, office and household items and more at no cost, supporting waste reduction and a culture of reuse.
Faculty and staff are welcome to both donate items and browse available supplies. The Free Store is located at 207 Calhoun St., room 102, and is open Monday–Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please visit our Cougar Free Store Hub page for guidelines and more information.
Green Office Program
College of Charleston departments and offices can participate in the Green Office Program to implement sustainable practices in their workplace.
This program offers a structured, accessible way to reduce environmental impact while fostering a culture of sustainability within your team. This program allows offices to highlight the work they are already doing and benchmark their progress with a checklist. Upon completion, offices will receive a certificate with their Green Office level based on the checklist.
If you are interested in getting your office started in the Green Office Program, please complete this interest form, and a member of the CSD team will get back to you for the next steps.
To learn more about the program, please visit our Green Office Hub page.
Sustainability Walking Tour
Interested in bringing sustainability into your classroom, department meeting or campus event? The CSD offers guided sustainability walking tours and can provide guest facilitation tailored to your group.
If this is something you are interested in, please contact [email protected].
Upcoming Events
We have so many events throughout the year programmed around a specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goal chosen by students at the College.
These events are posted on the College’s Campus Calendar, Cougar Connect, our site on The Hub and also on our Instagram (@sustaincofc).
CSD End of Year Celebration
Monday, April 20, 3 p.m.
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
Join us in celebrating campus sustainability achievements and recognizing the individuals and groups contributing to this work.
Volunteer with Us
Looking for a hands-on way to support sustainability on campus? The CSD regularly seeks faculty and staff volunteers to assist with events and initiatives throughout the year.
Volunteering is a great way to engage with the campus community while contributing to meaningful sustainability efforts.
Two upcoming opportunities include:
- Mindful Move-Out (April 23-May 7): Help reduce waste during student move-out by supporting donation collection, sorting and diversion efforts. If you are interested, please complete this Mindful Move-Out Volunteer Sign-Up Form.
- Zero Waste Support at A Charleston Affair (May 2): Assist with waste diversion efforts at this large campus event to help ensure materials are properly sorted and minimized. Volunteer sign-up form to come; if interested, email [email protected] to ensure you get the form.
If you’re interested in getting involved, we encourage you to reach out and join us in making these initiatives successful!
