The University of Kentucky has earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
The University of Kentucky’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website here.
This is the fourth consecutive silver rating for the university, signaling both a legacy of work and a steadfast commitment to foster a balanced approach to sustainability that considers environmental, social and economic impacts in every facet of the university’s activities and operations.
“STARS is the gold standard for assessing sustainability efforts in higher education. UK’s silver rating highlights the breadth and depth of our enterprise-wide commitment to advance the Commonwealth of Kentucky and prepare our student for lives of meaning and purpose by integrating the principles of sustainability in all aspects of our activities and operations,” said Shane Tedder, director of sustainability and facilities services and assistant director of the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment.
Many initiatives and campus practices contribute to the STARS certification. Some points of distinction for UK’s certification included the Sustainability Office Certification Program, a new campus composting system, student-funded sustainability projects, UK’s Sustainability Challenge Grant Program, and much more.
In April of this year, a campus composting system was launched to expand food waste diversion and support UK’s commitment to closed-loop systems and becoming a zero-waste campus. Led by UK Recycling and UK Grounds, and in close partnership with UK Dining, the new system dramatically improves the university’s ability to process organic waste. From April to December 2025, more than 178 tons, or 356,000 lbs, of food waste was collected from campus dining locations and transformed into compost. By turning today’s food scraps into tomorrow's soil nutrients, the university is reducing waste, improving soil health and demonstrating leadership for a more sustainable future.
The university’s Student Sustainability Council (SSC), which supervises the distribution of UK’s environmental stewardship fee, focuses on responsibly advancing the theory, practice and reality of sustainability at UK. In this year alone, the SSC will deliver $200,000 for campus sustainability projects. Any campus member is free to submit project proposals, encouraging participation of the entire university in sustainability efforts.
“The SSC provides critical funding needed to turn ideas from students, faculty, and staff across campus into real, meaningful sustainability initiatives,” said Carlie Laughlin, sustainability program coordinator.
In addition, UK’s Sustainability Challenge Grant program provides funding for sustainability projects. The grant encourages teams to submit experimental, future-forward projects that juggle environmental responsibility, economic value and community impact. Funded teams in the previous 10 years have received $1.95 million to pursue 66 unique projects. From the student-run Ugly Produce Market leaving no imperfect food behind to flipping underutilized and historic buildings across rural Kentucky into healthcare clinics, several innovative projects have used campus and the Kentucky community as a living laboratory for innovation.
“Our role as Kentucky’s flagship and land-grant institution allows us to be a leader in Kentucky in advancing efficiency and innovation as we ensure a healthier, wealthier and wiser future,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “This STARS certification highlights a well-deserved validation for the university's groundbreaking efforts to both improve our community and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “The University of Kentucky has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”
About AASHE
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.
For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.
UK Sustainability hosts an annual Sustainability Festival where exhibitors from campus and the community interact with our students, faculty, and staff.
Carter Skaggs
Sustainability Festival exhibitors from campus and the community share interactive activities with UK students, faculty, staff and their families.
UK Recycling, UK Auxiliary Services, and the Student Sustainability Council partnered to set up Hydration Stations during Big Blue Move-In.
Bree Walton
Ryan Lark, UK Recycling zero-waste specialist, Carlie Laughlin, sustainability program coordinator, and Rachel Skinner with Bluegrass Greensource, co-led the Sustainable Office Certification Program during spring 2025.