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2025 Annual Report
The George Washington University
Office of Sustainability 2025 Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BY THE NUMBERS
8%
Increase in landfill diversion rate compared to 2024
3,500
Pieces of clothing thrifted at The Loop, GW's free clothing exchange
14,100
Pounds of waste diverted through the MetroSTOR Smart Compost Bin
100%
Of GW's electricity demand will be addressed through solar starting in late 2026
GW SUSTAINABILITY TIMELINE
Scroll left/right to explore the timeline
2007
GW Presidential Task Force on Sustainability Formed
2008
First Green Roof Installed
Office of Sustainability Established
2009
GroW Community Garden Established
Planet Forward Launched
2010
South Hall Becomes GW's First LEED-Certified Building
2012
Sustainability Minor Established
2013
Zero Waste Team Established
2014
Capital Partners Solar Project Launched
GW Applies for STARS and Receives Gold Status for the First Time
GW Receives LEED Platinum for Milken Institute of Public Health
2015
First Student Eco-Equity Challenge
2017
GW Joins the We Are Still In Coalition to Reaffirm Its Commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement
2018
GW Sustainable Investment Fund Created
2019
GW Receives Marks of Distinction Awards from Second Nature
2020
ESG Task Force Accelerates Timeline Towards Meeting Emission Goals from 2040 to 2030
GW Installs Rooftop Solar on 5 Foggy Bottom Campus Buildings
2021
GW Announces its Single-Use Plastic Policy, Committing to Eliminate SUPs
2022
GW Begins Rapidly Deploying and Scaling Up Composting Programs
2023
Newly Renovated Thurston Hall Becomes GW’s Second LEED Platinum Building
Alliance for a Sustainable Future Formed
2024
GW Partners with the DC Department of Public Works to Install DC’s First Smart Compost Bin on Campus
The Loop Opens
The Mount Vernon Campus Community Garden Opens
2025
GW Achieves STARS Platinum
OUR COMMITMENTS
Climate
Neutrality
Elimination of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach neutrality by 2030
Fossil Fuel Divestment
GW fully divested its endowment from fossil fuels in 2025
Single Use Plastics Policy
GW has committed to eliminating all non-essential, non-compostable single-use plastics on campus
STARS
Platinum
Achieved within AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) in 2025
CLIMATE & REPORTING
GW is a STARS Platinum University
GW Earns STARS Platinum
In 2024, the university launched the data collection effort for STARS in pursuit of GW’s Platinum rating in 2025, a board-level commitment made in 2020. The data collection effort follows 18 months of implementing specific, targeted changes to advance GW’s performance since the Gold rating earned in 2023. This included participation in 15 different graduate program orientation events as well as the inclusion of sustainability in GW's recently launched strategic framework.
GOAL NINE: Create a vibrant and welcoming campus environment through purposeful placemaking, campus beautification, and bold sustainability initiatives.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting
40%
reduction in 2025, compared to 2008 baseline
GW meets its interim carbon neutrality target by reducing its GHG emissions by 41.2%
GW's emissions decreased by using more renewable energy, upgrading buildings to be more energy efficient, taking energy conservation measures, and encouraging cleaner transportation options.
GW is focused on achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Fossil Fuel Divestment
In the summer of 2024, GW created a volunteer, faculty-led working group charged with providing actionable recommendations around a set of identified community challenges. Fossil fuel divestment was covered in this group, and to achieve its divestment goal, GW advanced the working group’s recommendation in the fall of 2024 to establish a committee to provide guidance on socially and environmentally responsible investment strategies.
By the end of 2025, GW phased out fossil fuel investments in its endowment to meet its divestment commitment. Further, GW has no history of making direct public investments in fossil fuel companies. And since 2013, GW has not made commitments to invest in private funds which focus on businesses that derive the majority of their revenues from the extraction of fossil fuels.
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Renewable Energy
New Power Purchase Agreement Signed in 2024
At the end of 2024, GW executed an additional solar PPA for 49,000 MWh per year for 15 years at a fixed rate. This project complements the Capital Partners Solar Project PPA executed in 2015. When this new project comes online at the end of 2026, this agreement will allow GW to source its electricity from 100% renewable sources.
GW’s Solar For All Rooftops Continue to Benefit the University and Community
GW hosts solar as a part of D.C. Department of Energy and Environment’s Solar for All program on five rooftops, including Funger and Duquès halls, the Charles E. Smith Center, Monroe Hall and Hall of Government, Lisner Auditorium and the Media and Public Affairs Building. The panels are designed to have a capacity of 579 kWDC, with the clean energy generated by the system reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing roughly 45 cars from the road each year they operate. Not only does this program save money for GW’s energy expenses, it also benefits the greater community by donating a portion of the project’s revenue every year to low- and middle-income DC residents who require utility assistance. In 2025, based on GW’s energy production, approximately $90,000 was disbursed by New Columbia Solar.
Energy Efficiency
231
GW's Source Energy Use Intensity (EUI) at Foggy Bottom; 11% reduction compared to 2019 baseline
In 2025, GW surpassed its 2026 Source EUI target of 241 kBtu/SF and is on track for additional reductions in 2026
Energy Management Program
With the assistance of a partner, GW's Energy Management Program analyzes campus utility usage patterns across buildings and systems, implements efficiency measures by identifying inefficient equipment or operational practices, and manages operations to reduce consumption and cost.
GW Studies How To Decarbonize Foggy Bottom
Since 2023, GW has been investing in studies to identify opportunities for decarbonization. GW uses these reports to inform future building renovation and modernization plans.
Multi-Building Lighting Upgrades Improve GW's Energy Efficiency
A multi-building, multi-year lighting upgrade project has been improving GW’s energy efficiency. Since 2024, a building engineering team converted 45,000 lights to LED at 45 properties, completed power transformer work, and installed weather stripping. Throughout 2025 and 2026, this team is improving building system controls to reduce building energy consumption. Looking forward, GW is planning to add approximately 500 kW of additional rooftop solar capacity.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Projects
GW requires all new buildings and major renovations to be at least LEED Silver on Foggy Bottom and LEED Gold on the Mount Vernon Campus.
Gold
- Ames Hall (Mount Vernon Campus)
- Charles E. Smith Center
- Corcoran Hall
- District House/ Square 77
- GW Human Resources (2013 H St. NW)
- GW Textile Museum
- Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics
- Lafayette Hall
- Ross Hall 5th & 6th Floors
- Science and Engineering Hall
- South Hall
- West Hall (Mount Vernon Campus)
Silver
- Administrative Offices (1922 F. St. NW)
- Conservation and Collections Resource Center (VSTC)
- G Street Garage and Law Learning Center
Transportation
GW Partners with Electric Avenue to Develop a Sustainable Transportation Strategy
GW Office of Sustainability partnered with Electric Avenue to develop a sustainable transportation strategy for the university, identifying more than 50 potential actions, projects and initiatives related to electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, micromobility, commuting, employee travel and more.
Nature-based Solutions
Grand Re-Opening at Backyard at Square 80
GW Sustainability led the revitalization and grand reopening of Backyard at Square 80, a certified Sustainable SITES project, including the installation of brand new signage to replace the original signage that was added nearly 15 years ago as well as the planting of new native and adapted species in various garden beds. GW coordinated the repair of the on-site cistern to make the rainwater fountain operational once again.
In addition to reclaiming 24,000 square feet of green space, Backyard at Square 80 features:
- Pervious paving throughout the walkways
- Rainwater harvesting through biofiltration planters, rain gardens, bioswales, and roof water collection. With these, the captured stormwater is used for plant water and to power the fountain
COMMUNITY
GW Engaged Students and Community Members Across Campus Through Earth Month Events
The Office of Sustainability curated and produced six events as part of Earth Month 2025, including hosting a Town Hall, sustainable cold brew workshop, first birthday party for The Loop, seed planting at the MVC Community Garden, annual Plant & Pot Exchange, and the second Zero Waste ReFair with a focus on reuse, renew, and repair. The office also regularly updates a comprehensive events calendar that promotes campus-wide Earth Month community events.
GW Furthered Sustainability Education Opportunities
The Office of Sustainability and GW’s Alliance for a Sustainable Future collaborated to launch the Sustainability Living-Learning Community (LLC). The community connected students through sustainability education, action, and engagement. This LLC consisted of approximately 20 students at the MVC campus and they participated in sustainability programming, volunteered with the Vern Garden and the Loop, and helped with several other projects.
519
seats filled in sustainability courses
131
sustainability minor students
More than 40 offices participating in GW's Green Office Network
The Green Office Network (GON) has increased its emphasis on connecting staff to share sustainability skills and knowledge. Two town hall sessions were held in 2025 with a focus on sharing zero waste resources to improve on-campus programs such as composting and textile reuse. The network also hosted more interactive events in partnership with other community and GW organizations, such as a plantcare workshop with Harlan Greenhouse.
ZERO-WASTE
Landfill Diversion
GW led a campus-wide composting effort to divert more than 500 tons of organic food waste from the landfill in partnership with GW Dining, campus event organizers, and individual campus community members.
31%
of all waste at GW was diverted from landfill in 2025
12%
increase in landfill diversion rate from 2022, which was at 19%
The Loop
The Loop, GW’s Free Clothing Exchange, Launched With Thousands of Visitors and Pieces of Secondhand Clothing Shopped
In Fall 2024, the Office of Sustainability launched The Loop on the Mount Vernon Campus. In 2025, The Loop welcomed over 1,200 customers (and likely hundreds more visitors) who left with more than 3,500 pieces of second-hand clothing. The Loop was also host to multiple community events, including GW’s Tiny Dorm Concert.
Not only is The Loop open to students, but it is also open to the greater GW community to shop for free. While it is open twice a week, The Loop also provides special 24-7 access to individuals with immediate clothing needs. This includes students or community members experiencing financial or domestic hardships who would benefit from extended hours.
"Emphasizing a 'from the community for the community' approach, The Loop removes financial barriers to clothing access, enabling meaningful self-expression for faculty, staff, and students. Simultaneously acting as a vibrant third space, the value and warmth of the Loop and textile reuse team is felt by all."
Niharika S.
Textile Reuse Intern
Green Move Out & Reuse Market
In 2025, Green Move Out and Reuse Market Drew Record Number of Community Partners and Collections for Reuse Market
The Reuse Market events successfully diverted over 4,600 pounds of items from landfills resulting in the distribution of more than 2,000 items to roughly 700 attendees. GW hosted the third annual Reuse Market at University Yard, offering free clothes, dressers, vacuums, mirrors, and other household goods sourced from the Green Move Out at the end of the spring semester. Not only does the market encourage students to reuse secondhand items, it also helps support GW’s students with the greatest need for items by offering discreet priority access to those that are first-generation college students and/or recipients of Pell Grants.
Learn more about Green Move Out and Reuse Market
679
shoppers at the Reuse Market
76
Green Move Out volunteers
6
community partners including Goodwill and Bread For The City that received donations
Food Systems
Dining
GW’s Dining Contractor, Chartwells Higher Ed, Reports for FY2025:
- 5% of food and beverage purchases are sustainably or ethically produced
- 25% of food and beverage spending is on plant-based food
Food Recovery Network
The Food Recovery Team led more than a dozen recoveries that redirected more than 1,520 pounds of food to community members in need and in search of meals, deepening relationships with GW Dining, the Store (GW’s student-run food pantry addressing student food insecurity), Charlie's Place (a non-denominational, anti-hunger, homeless ministry serving the District), and various staff offices.
"FRN had an incredible year in 2025! Through our ongoing partnerships with campus dining halls and local food shelters, as well as our efforts to redistribute surplus food from campus events, we successfully recovered and donated over 1,500 pounds of food. This not only helped reduce food waste but also supported members of the GW community and our surrounding neighborhoods, turning excess into meaningful, tangible change!"
Ava H.
FRN President
Community Gardens
Mount Vernon Campus Community Garden
The Mount Vernon Campus Community Garden was launched in 2024 following more than a year of fundraising, partnership development, and design work. In 2025, the garden continues to revitalize a highly visible green space at the Mount Vernon campus entrance, featuring five raised beds and terraced planting areas.
A garden share program is available to Vern community members - students, staff, and faculty - and excess produce is donated to The Store and Miriam's Kitchen.
GroW Community Garden
The GroW Garden partners with Miriam’s Kitchen, a local non-profit focused on ending chronic homelessness in the District, to address produce needs and donated weekly harvests, including tomatoes, green beans, okra, basil, and more. In 2025, roughly 450 pounds of fresh produce were donated. The garden hosted volunteer hours three times a week and partnered regularly with student organizations. Looking to 2026, the garden is working to increase herb plantings to address the needs of GW's partner organizations.
"It's amazing to have a space on campus where students and residents of Foggy Bottom may cultivate for the benefit of the neighborhood and those around them. At GroW, we watch growth happen every day and see the true return of hard work. Whether it’s donating produce to students and Miriam’s Kitchen or simply spending time with friends, every visit to the garden fosters growth, not just in what we grow, but in the people who volunteer."
Elias T.
GroW Garden Student Manager
Compost
576 tons
of organic yard and food waste
was composted by GW in 2025.
Avoided greenhouse gas emissions is equal to:
32,460
Gallons of gas
739,378
Miles driven
Smart Compost Bin
GW partnered with the DC Department of Public Works to install DC’s first smart compost bin on campus.
Through DPW’s purchase and hauling services, GW has the first of thirty MetroSTOR bins in DC. The bin helps the campus compost more easily while avoiding contamination and rodents. It is actively used, with an average of 280 pounds collected per week.
426
Active Users
4,200
Drop-offs
13,350
Pounds of
Organic Waste Diverted
"GW is proud to have successfully piloted the first ever D.C. Smart Compost Bin. The bin is named C.O.L.I.N., which stands for ‘Composting Our Leftovers Into Nutrients’. It is a wonderful resource for students and the Foggy Bottom community to divert food scraps from the landfill."
Rebecca M.
Sustainability Manager