Students, staff, and faculty from across campus are taking action to make Illinois a model of sustainability in higher education. Explore the ways that your classmates and colleagues are making a difference.
Opportunities through iSEE
Illini Lights Out
iSEE’s Illini Lights Out (ILO) program demonstrates the immense energy-saving impact of simply turning off the lights when you leave a classroom, lab, or study space. On a few Friday nights each month, volunteers gather to form lights-out brigades that fan out across campus to record how many lights are left on and shut off as many as they can!
Greener Campus
Through the Greener Campus programs, community members like you can learn how to make your campus office, chapter, and events more sustainable — and receive a certificate for your efforts!
Be Orange, Go Green!
With a series of campaigns, we are encouraging community members to take actions that will help keep plastic and metal drink containers out of the waste stream on our campus. From using a refillable water bottle to recycling your empty soda cans, you too can help make a difference!
Compost Collection Program
A pilot compost collection program is kicking off in Fall 2026. Participants can collect food scraps and organic waste at home, then bring it to the compost collection at the Illini Union. Everyone is welcome to participate, or come stop by the compost collection table to learn more!
Volunteer
Interested in staying up to date about sustainability-related volunteer opportunities on campus? Join our listserv to be notified!
Join an iCAP Team
Passionate staff, faculty, and students play a key role in advancing campus sustainability through participation in iCAP teams. Members share innovative ideas, subject matter expertise, and experience in campus operations to support the goals outlined in the Illinois Climate Action Plan.
Student Sustainability Organizations
Student Sustainability Committee
At Illinois, each student pays a sustainability fee, which translates into a pool of more than $1 million per year that is allocated annually to sustainable projects on campus. You could help decide how this money is used next! The fund is administered by the Student Sustainability Committee.
Green Leadership Council
The Green Leadership Council (formerly the Student Sustainability Leadership Council) helps foster connections between campus leadership and student sustainability leaders to create a unified sustainability effort on campus. Together, we can make a difference!
Sustainable Student Farm
The Sustainable Student Farm grows 40-50 vegetable and fruit crops on 6 acres on South Lincoln in Urbana. Student workers and volunteers plant, cultivate, and harvest produce using low input and organic practices. The majority of the farm’s produce goes to the dining halls on campus.
Sustainability RSO Database
There are many more Registered Student Organizations that focus on environmental and sustainability topics. Check out this database to find the ones that are right for you!