As sustainability becomes a priority for institutions worldwide, schools are increasingly emerging as leaders in environmental responsibility. They use their campuses as living laboratories to teach and practice sustainability.
From early childhood education to higher learning, these schools are going beyond traditional green building practices by integrating comprehensive sustainability frameworks like LEED and TRUE certifications into their operations. These certifications are improving their environmental impact and serving as valuable educational tools for students.
The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) in Newport Beach, California, is a leader in sustainability, blending LEED and TRUE Platinum certifications to create a model for environmental education. Established in 1972, the ENC connects over 50,000 people annually with nature through school field trips, nature camps, and community events. The center’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its operations, influencing its visitors and the broader community.
The ENC’s preschool serves as a microcosm of zero-waste living. With a 97% waste diversion rate, the school has instituted policies prohibiting single-use plastics and Styrofoam, ensuring that everything from student lunches to program materials aligns with its sustainability goals.
As Bo Glover, the ENC’s Executive Director, points out, the center’s TRUE certification process pushed them to find innovative ways to reduce waste, transforming the campus into an educational hub for sustainable living. The students have become ambassadors of these values, often educating their families about zero-waste principles.
Sustainability at the ENC isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about embedding environmental ethics into the very fabric of education. “We hope that the environmental ethics our preschoolers learn here will stay with them for life,” Glover says.
In Chía, Colombia, the Rochester School is a global pioneer, becoming the first K–12 school to achieve TRUE certification. With a long-standing commitment to sustainability, Rochester School first earned LEED certification in 2014 and has since recertified under Platinum LEED v4.1 for Operations and Maintenance.
The school’s approach is holistic, integrating a robust sustainability curriculum that is reinforced by practical application. Students at all grade levels learn to monitor waste streams and engage in closed-loop systems where materials are reused or repurposed. This hands-on learning helps students develop a deep understanding of sustainable practices, from composting to recycling, ensuring that sustainability becomes second nature to them.
As Liliana Medina Campos, LEED AP BD+C, emphasizes, “Sustainability education is not just a subject but a lifestyle. It challenges students to rethink how they consume and dispose of resources.” By coupling these educational initiatives with LEED and TRUE certifications, Rochester School meets high sustainability standards and uses its facilities as a teaching tool.
At the University of California, Berkeley, the Connie & Kevin Chou Hall has set a new standard for zero-waste buildings on university campuses. Achieving Platinum certifications in LEED, WELL, and TRUE, the hall is a testament to UC Berkeley’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure.
Chou Hall’s design prioritizes waste diversion, with no trash bins inside the building. Visitors must compost or recycle any waste or "pack it out" if it's not suitable for either. This structural decision forces building users to rethink their waste habits, nudging them toward more sustainable behaviors. The building’s zero-waste team engages the campus community through regular educational campaigns, guiding waste sorting and sustainability practices.
Lin King, the manager of Cal Zero Waste, sees Chou Hall as a beacon for the rest of the campus. “We wanted Chou Hall to be an example that zero waste is not just possible, but achievable, even in a high-traffic academic building,” says King. This message is reinforced through student-led initiatives and engagement activities designed to raise awareness and encourage participation in the campus’s sustainability efforts.
While LEED and TRUE certifications are instrumental in reducing the environmental impact of these institutions, they also offer significant educational benefits. Schools like ENC, Rochester, and UC Berkeley are demonstrating that sustainable practices can be woven into the daily lives of students, faculty, and staff. By using their facilities as tools for education, these schools are cultivating a new generation of sustainability-minded individuals.
However, these certifications also extend beyond waste diversion and energy efficiency. WELL certification, for example, focuses on improving the health and well-being of building occupants, emphasizing elements such as air quality, water cleanliness, and overall physical and mental well-being. The convergence of these certifications in educational environments enhances the learning experience by promoting healthier, more sustainable spaces for students and staff alike.
Schools are uniquely positioned to lead by example as the world faces increasing environmental challenges. By integrating LEED, TRUE, and WELL certifications, educational institutions are improving sustainability and instilling vital values in the next generation. As students learn to recycle, compost, and minimize their environmental footprint, they are equipped with the skills and mindset necessary to face future sustainability challenges head-on.
