ASUCLA SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

From reducing single-use waste to investing in renewable practices and community-driven programs, the UCLA Store is committed to making a measurable impact across campus. Through thoughtful sourcing, operational improvements and student-centered initiatives, these efforts reflect a broader mission to create a more sustainable future.

UCLA Store:

• All-store:

  • 14,380 plastic bags have been replaced with paper, as required by SB1053

  • The UCLA Store also offers several reusable tote bags for purchase starting as low as $3.49.

• Market

  • Approximately 14K plastic bottles from sales data across all UCLA Store locations have been replaced with aluminum, glass, paper. 

• Shipping

  • Approximately 300 lbs of packing materials have been reused for orders

• Recover at the UCLA Store

  • For every Recover Brands item purchased in April, Recover will plant one tree.

Bruin Custom Print:

• Print Stations:

  • With 36 locations, ASUCLA offsets every page printed at a BruinPrint station by reforesting standard trees in Northern California.

• To date, 1,527 trees have been planted. That’s equivalent to over 15 acres of new forest

ASUCLA Student Union:

• Sustainable furniture upgrades: 

  • In April, new tables and chairs built from recycled materials, designed for durability and are GREENGUARD® certified will be placed in the Kerckhoff State Rooms and Charles E. Young Grand Salon. 

  • In addition, the linenless table design is expected to save thousands of gallons of water annually by reducing laundering needs.

• Event Services: 

  • The division has transitioned its event layout software to Cvent’s event diagramming platform, allowing staff and clients to collaborate on layouts in real time via shared digital links. This has significantly reduced the need for printed floorplans and revisions — eliminating hundreds of printed pages annually while improving efficiency across planning and event execution.

• Programs about sustainability: 

  • (Hosted by ASUCLA) Climate Café: Re-wear and Repair – April 22nd 5-7 Kerckhoff Patio: This project aims to raise awareness about climate change by showing students simple, enjoyable ways to practice sustainability in their daily lives. The event will feature a free clothing swap, a clothing-cropping workshop, and educational booths led by UCLA organizations. Leftover clothing will be donated to the UCLA Basic Needs Redistribution Center. With added food and live music, the event fosters community while promoting sustainable habits, particularly reducing clothing overconsumption.

    • It is expected to reach 100–120 students and create both immediate impact through clothing redistribution and long-term impact by encouraging lasting behavior change toward sustainability.

  • (Hosted by student groups) USAC Facilities Commission Earth Day Festival (4/22): In association with UCLA Sustainability, the USAC Facilities Commission is organizing an Earth Day festival with the intention of promoting sustainability on campus, celebrating the environment, and educating students about green initiatives at UCLA. The event will bring together different student organizations on campus and give them an opportunity to showcase the work they are doing in sustainability, with the intention of encouraging more UCLA students to make environmentally conscious decisions. The goal is for students to learn about at least three new things that are being done on campus to support sustainability, at least one change they can make to be more environmentally conscious, and to leave the event feeling inspired to make a change. 

  • (Hosted by Student groups) Environmentalists of Color Collective Climate Justice Forum (4/22): The Climate Justice Forum is a one-night speaker panel and concert hosted by Environmentalists of Color Collective (ECC). This year, the celebration is honoring the Climate Justice Forum's seventh year on campus! This tradition has been one of the main environmental justice-focused events that have highlighted voices of color. This year's CJF theme is Artificial Intelligence and its Socioenvironmental Implications. The goal of CJF is to raise awareness about the contributions that people of color have made to the environmental sustainability movement; reframe conceptions of disadvantaged/vulnerable communities; and stimulate critical dialogue about environmental racism and injustice issues and climate resilience at UCLA and beyond.

ASUCLA Restaurants:

• Reusables:

  • 1,058 lbs. of waste diverted

  • 4,300 lbs. of CO2 emissions avoided

  • 2,150 gallons of water saved

  • Total Reuses: 9,767

  • Expanded to Northern Lights, Anderson Café, Sambazon, and Café Synapse

• Packaging:

  • Transition from clamshell containers with a hinged lid to paper boats at select locations reducing the volume of each container heading to the landfill

  • Introduction of baskets with paper liners for dine in service, allowing guests to return baskets for washing and reuse reducing the amount of volume going to landfill

  • Reuzzi Reusable mug program at Kerckhoff Coffee House to reduce single use cup waste

ASUCLA Facilities:

• Lighting:

  • The transition to LED light fixtures in Ackerman Union & Kerckhoff Hall will save an estimated energy KwH (kilowatt-hour) amount of: 

• Ackerman Union: 75% ($160K)

• Kerckhoff Hall: 70% (90K)

• In general, LEDs: 

  • Save over 80% energy compared to traditional incandescent lamps

  • Produces up to 10X more brightness compared to traditional incandescent lamps

  • Lasts 50X longer than traditional lamps

  • The long lifespan of LEDs means less frequent repairs or replacements, which further cuts down maintenance expenses.

  • LEDs do not contain harmful gases, such as mercury, making them a much safer lighting option.

  • LEDs do not produce ultraviolet or infrared radiation. This means you can safely illuminate food, fabrics, or other sensitive materials without causing damage due to excess heat or radiation.

  • LEDs are designed to be more robust and resilient to vibrations and shock and perfect for structural stability in a range of applications.

  • LEDs typically operate at low voltage, reducing shock hazards and improving safety.

  • Lower power usage means less strain on power grids and reduced emissions, helping protect the environment.

  • LEDs aid in reducing power transmission losses and electromagnetic interference, further conserving energy and reducing grid-related problems.

ASUCLA Human Resources:

• Paper files: 

  • Over the past two years, the department has transitioned to electronic student files. This has saved approximately: 

    • 1,500 paper student employee files

    • 1,500 paper annual student reviews

Trademarks & Licensing

• Licensees: 

  • More than 135 license agreements are managed by this division to be in line with UCLA’s sustainability goals

  • They prioritize licensee product offerings that are provable sustainable, local and verifiably ethically produced

  • The department analyzed more than 250 licensing requests for their sustainability impact, among other things. 

  • Full public disclosure of the UCLA Trademarks & Licensing product supply chain

  • Introduced UCLA’s sustainability requirements in licensing for more than 50 potential licensee businesses via both virtual and in-person outreach

  • Took proactive steps to guide licensees against greenwashing and for a more truthful and provable value proposition for licensed products sustainability.

  • Advocated campus-wide buyers and licensees that distribute promotional “giveaway” products to reduce unsustainable, “throwaway” promotional products and seek to increase sustainable and useful experiences and products that will be kept by the recipient

  • Mentored UCLA’s Bruin Beekeepers student organization 

  • Required all licensees sourcing in Bangladesh and Pakistan to sign the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, a groundbreaking worker-centered social responsibility program that has addressed fire, life safety, structural integrity, and boiler safety through a legally binding agreement.

  • Reduced emissions from commuting and energy use on campus through 50% of FTEs maintaining a hybrid work schedule

  • Affiliated with nonprofit Worker Rights Consortium and Fair Labor Association

  • Reduced landfill waste by ending sample requirements for domestic licensees and donation of international licensing samples to campus groups and nonprofits