Environmental Sustainability

Our Mission for a Sustainable Future

Albertus Magnus College reduces the College's environmental footprint while engaging looking for opportunities to engage with our local communities of East Rock, Newhallville, and Hamden. We are working with various College departments, student groups, and external partners to increase our understanding of environmental issues and help find realistic, timely, and effective solutions that benefit the earth.

Through a college-wide effort, Albertus incorporates sustainability practices into our students’ experience. The College executes its sustainability efforts through a committee comprised of students, faculty, and staff. Curriculum across academic programs, such as business and psychology courses, create opportunities for students and faculty to engage with issues of sustainability and get involved in the community.

Our Eco-friendly Practices

Energy Management and Renewable Energy

  • Energy efficiency efforts at Albertus have been ongoing for several years. In 2016, we began an in-depth energy audit with our local partners Globele Energy and The United Illuminating Company. Albertus reduces the amount of energy used by installing Solar panels, LED lights, improving heating and cooling systems and adding high efficiency controls.
  • 40% of all electricity at Albertus is powered through solar energy. Solar panels were installed in 2017. During the previous year, the College worked with local partners to design and install roof top solar panels on all the buildings located on lower campus, as well as a 770-kW carport photovoltaic solar power system. These solar parking canopies over the tier parking lot and outside the Hubert Campus Center. Project partners were Green Street Power Partners, LLC, Shawmut, Swinerton Renewable Energy, and The United Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc.
  • Natural gas is the primary heating and hot water source for Albertus. Over the past ten years, the College has been made the switch from oil to natural gas. Natural gas emissions are much lower than oil, producing less carbon dioxide.

Recycling and Waste Reduction

Albertus partners with All American Waste, a waste management company local to New Haven, Connecticut, to provide single-stream recycling to our campus. Bottles, cans, paper, cardboard, and most plastics are diverted from bulk waste.

Community Garden at Albertus

The academic Community Garden project began in 2017. Located between Siena and Sansbury Hall, the Community Garden is a tool for experiential learning that is deeply rooted in the College’s mission and the four Dominican Pillars of Study, Prayer, Community, and Service. As of 2019, Albertus has donated nearly 300 pounds of produce this past year to St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen and the Keefe Food Pantry in response to the growing issue of food insecurity in the community.

Shredding

Albertus has partnered with Shred-it, an information security company which practices environmental sustainability. Located on campus are various secure, blue bins that are regularly filled and emptied. After the paper has been securely shredded, the confetti-sized pieces are bundled and recycled into paper products.

Hydration Stations

Albertus discourages the use of plastic water bottles by offering refill stations in Aquinas Hall, Rosary Hall, and the Athletic Center.

Transportation

  • With the purchase of 490 Prospect Street, Albertus began offering daily shuttle services for students traveling to and from campus. Carpooling is an important way to reduce the number of cars on the road and on campus.
  • For public transportation, the CTtransit Bus has a stop outside campus, on the corner of Winchester Avenue and Huntington Street. Albertus sells monthly bus passes at half-price to students and employees of the College.
  • Union Station is located just a short ride from campus. Both Amtrak and Metro-North trains are available from Union Station.
  • CTrides helps commuters find the best way to get to work or school and offers information & resources for travel options throughout Connecticut. CTrides offers; carpools, vanpools, bus, train, biking/walking and teleworking solutions.

Falcon Campus Store

Albertus partners with Follett, an educational products company, to operate the Falcon Campus Store. All Albertus Commencement caps and gowns are made from recycled plastic. Used books, rentals and eBooks are available for purchase through the on-campus bookstore.

Walden Hill Farm

In 2016, Albertus partnered with Walden Hill, a New England focused company located in Union, Connecticut to collect acorns around campus. The acorns, high in healthy omega-3 fats, are used to feed their heritage breed pigs.

Dining Services

Albertus’ partner, Chartwells Dining Services is dedicated to sustainability and the environment. In 2014, our dining service introduced a tray-less program, reducing food waste by 30%. Dining Services recycles metal, plastic and cardboard. Food waste is composted on campus as a part of the academic Community Garden project.