National Accolades for Environmental Sustainability

Raritan Valley Community College’s unique educational programs and sustainability initiatives demonstrate its ongoing commitment to preserving the environment and have placed RVCC at the forefront of this rapidly developing field.

Sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability

The College has a number of noteworthy accomplishments in environmental sustainability including:

Memorandum of Understanding with EPA

RVCC was the first community college in the nation to sign an environmental stewardship agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA. The College pledged to reduce its environmental impact and raise environmental awareness within its academic community and the surrounding community.

RVCC’s partnership with the EPA has resulted in reducing energy, water, and solid waste production across campus operations. The EPA has estimated that the College reduced its carbon footprint by the equivalent of 22,579 metric tons since signing the 2009 agreement. The College accomplishes its goals through an on-campus co-generation plant, a solar array, energy efficiency lighting and equipment, green energy purchasing, energy reduction, and support for carpooling. It also has an electric-car charging station on campus.

Environmental Accolades 

The College’s environmental efforts continue to earn accolades. For the third year in a row, RVCC has been lauded for its campus sustainability efforts by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The College has been recognized as a top performer in the 2017 Sustainable Campus Index, ranking seventh in the country in the “Associate Colleges” category. RVCC received a Silver rating for its efforts. The 2017 Sustainable Campus Index highlights top-performing colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System.

RVCC reached a significant environmental milestone in late 2017 when it became the first two-year institution of higher education in the country to achieve carbon neutrality. Carbon neutrality is defined as having no net emissions after minimizing the carbon footprint as much as possible and offsetting the remaining emissions.

During this past year, RVCC has offset all remaining Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions from natural gas, oil, and gasoline) by acquiring carbon offsets, mostly for wind energy and some for the capture of landfill gas. Since 2014, the College has offset all remaining Scope 2 emissions, which are indirect emissions from purchased electricity, by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for US wind energy. As a result, for the first time RVCC is carbon neutral in Scopes 1 and 2.

RVCC was one of only 11 colleges and universities in the nation honored with a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Award in April 2016. The College was honored for its leadership in sustainable education, programs, practices, and facilities.

With the support of a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation’s SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagement and Responsibilities) program, RVCC and New Jersey Audubon have combined forces to address forest health in central New Jersey. The partnership has resulted in the successful training of citizen scientists; research on the bird and plant communities of our local forests; and integration of these activities into RVCC classes, Audubon programs, and stewardship of public forest preserves. Students in the College’s Environmental Field Studies class have trained citizen scientists to identify and conduct surveys for invasive plant species. Four student interns were hired to conduct intensive vegetation studies as part of a regional assessment of forest health.

In recognition of its commitment to raise awareness and enhance a habitat for pollinators, Raritan Valley Community College has been certified as a Bee Campus USA affiliate. RVCC is the first college in New Jersey, and the 15th in the country, to receive this designation. The Bee Campus USA designation recognizes educational campuses that commit to a set of practices that supports pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds and bats, among thousands of other species. The College developed a list of pollinator-friendly native plants and follows an integrated pest management policy.

In November 2013, the State of New Jersey honored RVCC for its commitment to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the 2013 New Jersey Governor's Environmental Excellence Award (Clean Air category). The Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards are the state's premier environmental awards program for recognizing outstanding environmental performance, programs, and projects in the state. 

RVCC is the first higher education institution in the state to be certified by New Jersey Water Supply Authority as part of the River-Friendly Business Program. The College has two tributaries of the upper Raritan River running through its Main Campus in Branchburg. In 2011, the River-Friendly certification was awarded to RVCC for its efforts over 18 months to improve local water resource quality through water quality management, water conservation, protection of the wildlife habitat, and education and outreach.

The College is increasingly incorporating sustainable practices including into its projects and ongoing operations.

RVCC's recycling programs help to create a more sustainable campus by keeping our recyclable waste out of landfills. Learn more about some of the many recycling initiatives on campus.

The 240 acres of landing surrounding the College offer many opportunities for developing gardens that beautify the campus, support study, reflect respect for the environment, and serve as vehicles for meaning.