Stanford University
ER-3: Sustainability in New Student Orientation

As part of “Approaching Stanford,” a set of materials and activities sent to first-year and transfer students as they prepare for their time at Stanford, all students are emailed a digital copy of “Sustainability on the Farm,” a student's guide to sustainable living on campus. The guide is accompanied by a letter from the Office of Sustainability describing why Stanford considers sustainability to be a key component of the university’s mission and the Stanford experience. In addition, all freshmen participate in a zero waste lunch during New Student Orientation. Boxed lunches that are 100% compostable and recyclable are prepared for all students. At the zero waste lunch students learn details about waste reduction efforts at Stanford, including how to compost and recycle on campus. Student volunteers station themselves at each compost and recycle bin to ensure waste is sorted and disposed of properly.