Stewarding God’s Creation: Baylor University Increases Campus-Wide Sustainability Efforts

Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, 254-327-8012 
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Guided by its Christian mission and a longstanding commitment to stewarding God’s creation, Baylor University continues to advance sustainability through intentional practices that integrate faith, academics and daily campus life. Through efforts such as composting more than 270,000 pounds of dining waste annually, donating “Bear-ly Used” items at the end of each semester and maintaining its designation as a Tree Campus USA, Baylor demonstrates a holistic approach to caring for natural resources. 

Supported by the Office of Sustainability and student‑led initiatives, these efforts align with the University’s Baylor in Deeds strategic plan, which emphasizes expanding existing and developing new expertise to advance the responsible care of the natural world while preparing students for lives of leadership and service.

“Sustainability is woven across the commitments and strategies for Baylor in Deeds,” said Gary Cocke, senior director of sustainability at Baylor. “Earth Month 2026 events support commitments 3 and 4 – Demonstrate Christian Stewardship and Build a Vibrant, Caring, Global Community – as we celebrate environmental stewardship and educate about issues impacting local and global communities.”

This April, Baylor focuses on Earth Month 2026 and Earth Day 2026 through a series of events across campus and the community to further the University’s sustainability efforts. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” is a reminder of the impact that can be made through collective service. The activities highlight Baylor’s academic and operational sustainability work, offering students hands-on opportunities to deepen their understanding while contributing to meaningful change, including the 40th anniversary of Steppin’ Out Day of Service.

"While I hope Baylor Bears treat every day like Earth Day, Earth Month is a great opportunity to highlight the progress our office is making to advance sustainability on campus,” said Sarah VerPloeg, Ph.D., sustainability specialist for operations and engagement at Baylor. 

Earth Month 2026 also provides an opportunity to highlight the year‑round sustainability efforts that shape daily life at Baylor. From waste diversion and food‑waste reduction to campus beautification and community partnerships, these programs demonstrate how Baylor’s commitment to caring for God’s creation is lived out through practical action and student leadership.

Bear-ly Used 

Started in spring 2025, “Bear-ly Used” is a campuswide initiative to divert donatable items from landfills and redistribute them towards community partners and families in need. This student-led solution allows students who are moving out of residence halls to donate items like clothing, appliances, furniture and more that would otherwise be left behind or thrown away. 

“I am especially proud to spotlight the amazing student leadership for sustainability through the Bear-ly Used events that are recruiting volunteers for the move-out donation campaign,” Cocke said. 

Sic ’Em Sampling

Another student-driven sustainability initiative is aimed at dramatically reducing food waste in campus dining halls. The program, called Leave No Trace, introduces Sic ’Em Sampling stations, food-waste tracking systems and an educational campaign to help campus diners to make informed, sustainable dining choices. 

Tree Campus Higher Education

Baylor University is widely known for its beautiful campus, with a long-standing history of planting, caring for and celebrating the hundreds of majestic trees across the University’s 1,000-acre campus. Baylor adds a second year of national recognition as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution by the Arbor Day Foundation. The national program celebrates colleges and universities for their commitment to enhancing community well-being through tree education, investment and engagement. 

Recycle Right

This spring, Baylor is implementing changes to make recycling easier and more effective by prioritizing recycling improvements and ensuring stakeholders help the campus community Recycle Right. With expanded outdoor bins, clearer labels and standardized bag colors, these efforts are designed to make recycling simple, reduce waste contamination and maximize environmental impact across campus.

“The new standard is simple – wherever you see a trash bin, you’ll also see a recycling bin right next to it,” VerPloeg said. “We’ve adopted a nationally recognized labeling system through Recycle Across America to help reduce confusion and contamination on campus while contributing to a broader movement toward standardized recycling signage nationwide.” 

Resilient Hope in a Changing World

Resilient Hope in a Changing World is a collaborative initiative between the Baylor Sustainability Office and the Baylor University Counseling Center to help support students anxious about the natural world and its impact human life. This program creates space to process those feelings, build resilience and cultivate hope in community with others.

Together, these efforts reflect Baylor’s holistic approach to sustainability – one that integrates faith, academics, operations and community engagement. 

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY 

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.