Seeing STARS: how educational institutions can reach their eco potential
Educational institutions are putting sustainability drives high on the agenda, devoting more effort and investment than ever before. What’s more, sustainable credentials are becoming ever more important to prospective students when deciding on a place of study – it’s up there with location and teaching standards as a factor for consideration. But just because the sector has gathered pace in its efforts, momentum must be maintained and success continually measured.
The STARS framework is key in helping colleges and universities achieve successful sustainability programs with defined goals and focus points for continued improvement. Here, we explore the STARS framework and discuss why it is integral not only to an institution’s sustainability performance but also in leading the change among students’ accountability for a greener planet.
What is STARS?
Developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and among the key frameworks implemented to measure sustainability, STARS has been designed to provide a global standard against which colleges and universities can measure and report on sustainability performance. STARS stands for Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating system. Wherever an institution may find itself in its sustainability journey, whether taking its initial steps or further developing an already high-achieving roster, STARS helps outline long-term goals and breaks down a framework for all persons to understand sustainability standards in all sectors of higher education. Participants report on progress across five main areas: academics, operations, engagement, innovation, and leadership.
A benchmarking tool, STARS is relied upon to ensure accurate comparisons across institutions, create incentives for continual sustainability improvements and help strengthen the campus sustainability community. Achievements are rewarded via a points scheme, while sustainability leadership is recognized with a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or the much-coveted Platinum rating.
Why higher education institutions should care
STARS enables educational institutions to kickstart sustainability programs and provides a detailed level of self-awareness for continually improving efforts. Every college or university all over the world is eligible to participate in STARS and it can be used to help report contributions to the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).
While many higher education institutions are accepting their environmental responsibility and stepping up to the bar (an impressive 12 institutions worldwide maintained their Platinum label in 2023), there’s a lot more work to be done. Solid waste reduction across every campus must be prioritized and meaningful changes implemented if we’re to combat climate change, preserve natural resources and guarantee quality of life for generations to come. Educational institutions are home to communities whose being impacts surrounding urban areas and, ultimately, can help to shape a more sustainable future – if we’re tackling the issue correctly and with achievable initiatives. A zero-waste policy may be a stretch goal but steps should be taken towards solid waste management if colleges and universities are to have some contribution towards environmental threats and an overall greener planet.
Diverting waste and improving STARS
Environmental and sustainability goals must be focused on diverting waste away from landfill and in doing so, STARS ratings will be boosted. The framework provides a benchmark for sustainability leaders, or anyone tasked with minimizing environmental threats on campus, to build an effective sustainability program. Institutions can then more quickly identify successful environmental practice and better plan future initiatives. Plus, while STARS helps universities improve their eco-credentials, resulting actions and activities also educate young people in how to be eco-conscious and aware of their role in protecting our planet — encouraging them to take these practices back to their home life.
In pursuit of a higher STARS rating, a crucial avenue lies in the implementation of a robust waste management strategy. By effectively showcasing comprehensive waste reduction, recycling, and disposal practices, institutions can earn valuable points within the assessment framework. Moreover, failure to appropriately address waste management could impact the overall rating .
Interested in discovering more about the benefits of participating? Find out more about STARS. Alternatively, if your college or university is already working towards a STARS award, get in touch to find out how Advetec technology can aid your sustainability program.