Many colleges and universities in the United States resemble small cities. They provide a forum for research, transportation, and business. Like small cities, many campuses operate power plants, wastewater treatment plants, and manage the environmental emissions from medical facilities, laboratories, art studios, boilers, incinerators and underground storage tanks.

Numerous colleges and universities from around the country have implemented or are implementing environmental management systems (EMSs). The resources below provide tools, case studies, the benefits realized, procedures and training, frequently asked questions, and points-of-contact from public seaports that have developed EMSs.

Sector Spotlight:
Environmental Management Guide for Colleges and Universities
This Guide offers tools and approaches to meet a college or university’s goals for compliance, environmental performance, and sustainability in a proactive and effective manner.  This Guide is intended to assist: managers and staff with environmental responsibilities, Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) departments, senior administrators, business managers, facilities managers, compliance managers, purchasing/procurement managers, planners, directors of offices of sustainability, teams, faculty, and students.

CampusERC - The Environmental Resource Center for Higher Education The Campus Environmental Resource Center--CampusERC--is intended to be a great library of resources to support campus environmental performance improvement. Developed collaboratively by NACUBO, C2E2, CSHEMA, APPA and the EPA, the primary audience is staff, administrators or faculty who are looking for resources to better understand environmental regulations, find relevant contacts, seek model practices, track news or build and manage better environmental programs.

EMS Toolbox
EMS Benefits
Case Studies & Articles
Mentors & Contact Info
FAQs