Sustainability & Independence: A Greener July

This month's edition features highlights from the Sustainability Summit, ongoing efforts and achievements, and key updates from the Office of Climate Action.

Let’s make this July both meaningful and green🌿

Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium – 2025 Summit

Angie Oberg and Matthew Drews had the opportunity to attend the 2025 NECSC Summit. This year’s NECSC Summit gathered sustainability leaders from higher education institutions across the Northeast, Southeast Canada, and the upper Mid-Atlantic for a one-of-a-kind, informative event.

We’re excited to announce that the Office of Climate Action will host the 2026 NECSC Annual Summit. This is a unique opportunity for Rutgers University to showcase its regional sustainability leadership to colleagues at sustainability offices in higher education institutions.

Learn more

Tell Congress: Protect Clean Energy in H.R.1

Rutgers Office of Climate Action, in partnership with the Rutgers Office of Government Relations, has developed an email campaign to advocate for protection of clean energy credits during the budget reconciliation process. These provisions are critical for Rutgers and other higher education institutions to reach their clean energy commitments.

Click here to send a message to Congress.

OCA Updates

Rutgers Orientation Leaders visited the Office of Climate Action to learn more about OCA’s climate goals and student involvement as part of their training to lead campus tours.

Jordan Warner, Graduate Student Assistant, led the session and shared valuable insights into the office’s mission and impact.

This visit will give OLs the opportunity to deepen their understanding of OCA’s work and further prepare to support and inform new students during orientation.

We are thrilled to announce that Rigo Salvatierra, a rising senior and Sustainability Ambassador in the Rutgers Office of Climate Action, has been awarded the esteemed Beinecke Scholarship! As only the third Rutgers student to receive this prestigious award, Rigo’s achievement is a testament to his exceptional academic dedication and his commitment to fostering sustainability on campus and beyond.

As a Sustainability Ambassador, Rigo works tirelessly to promote a culture of sustainability at Rutgers.

Congratulations, Rigo! You’ve earned it!

Rigo Salvatierra Awarded Prestigious Beinecke Scholarship

Sustainable Lab Tips

🧪 Reduce & Manage Waste in Research Labs

Looking to make your lab greener? Start here:

Swap single use plastics for durable, reusable alternatives: replace plastic pipettes with glass pipettes.
Choose low waste packaging: avoid items with unnecessary packaging, like tubes in racks.
Take advantage of take-back systems offered by some companies:

✔️ Refillable tip racks (USA)

✔️ Packaging materials (Corning)

✔️ Styrofoam boxes (Sigma Millipore)

The Office of Climate Action is now on LinkedIn

We’re thrilled to expand our presence and connect with a wider community of climate leaders, innovators, and advocates. Follow us and stay tuned for updates, insights, and opportunities as we grow in this new space.

Happy 4th of July

Let’s celebrate freedom and our responsibility to protect it 🌍

From the Office of Climate Action, we wish you a safe, sustainable, and joy-filled 4th of July 🎆

Additional Highlights

Opportunities

Events

News

If you have any news, events, or other updates you would like to share with our community, please email meenal.vaggyani@rutgers.edu

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