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OU Crimson & Green: better Sooner than laterSustainability HomeThe University of Oklahoma
Sustainability Fact

OU is #1 in the Big 12 for renewable energy. In 2011 OU purchased 97 million kilowatt-hours of wind energy, enough to power 8,000 American homes for a year. 


Recycle Like a Champion
  • Sign the Crimson and Green Commitment Today!Sign the Crimson and Green Commitment Today!
    Each signature earns $2 for campus recycling, up to $10,000. All students, faculty, and staff can sign!
  • Bright Future for OU's Solar Car Racing TeamBright Future for OU's Solar Car Racing Team
  • OU Designated Big 12 Conference Champion in Renewable EnergyOU Designated Big 12 Conference Champion in Renewable Energy
    90 percent of purchased power comes from wind
  • Sustainability degree welcomes new studentsSustainability degree welcomes new students
    60 majors now pursuing a BS or BA in Environmental Sustainability
  • Waste Not, Want NotWaste Not, Want Not
    OU Housing & Food uses food processor in Couch Cafeteria to reduce landfill waste
  • Recycle Like A Champion Recycle Like A Champion
    Recycling on campus is easy.
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Sign the Crimson & Green Commitment Today!


Each signature earns $2 for campus recycling


This fall marks the launch of the Crimson & Green Commitment, the University of Oklahoma's latest sustainability effort. The online commitment invites members of the OU community to make a personal pledge to sustainability, encouraging eco-friendly habits in our everyday lives. All students, faculty, and staff can make their commitment by logging into the web application at ou.edu/green. For each completed commitment, OU Facilities Management will donate $2 towards additional campus recycling bins, up to $10,000. Make your commitment today!    


Recycle your old cell phone and receive a $5 Starbucks gift card!


OU SGA has partnered with the LG cell phone company to make cell phone recycling convenient and fun. Bring your unwanted cell phone to the SafeRide SGA office from now until March 7th, 9 am - 7 pm, and receive a $5 Starbucks gift card! We accept all kinds of mobile phones, including chargers, batteries, and broken phones.

OU is competing against colleges across the country to recycle the most cell phones between February 14th and March 7th. The university to collect the most cell phones will win $5,000. 


American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment

President David Boren


In April 2007, President Boren signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, becoming the first institution’s president in Oklahoma to sign the commitment and one of 152 college and university presidents and chancellors who have become charter signatories of the commitment at that time and pledged to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions over time.  Read more about OU's commitment here.