Information about current and previously funded projects is coming soon. In the mean time, please explore our list of project ideas below.
Project Ideas
Consider speaking to:
- School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (Science and Mathematics)
- Faculty within SIAS Science and Mathematics
- School of Urban Studies
- Sustainable Urban Development faculty
- Tacoma community schools
Potential projects:
- Teach in
- Creation of a Public Service Announcement
- Art installation
- Workshops focused on zero waste, climate change, human impacts within the south sound
- Guest speakers
- Outdoor education opportunities on and off campus
- Sustainability movie nights
Consider speaking to:
- Center for Equity and Inclusion
- The Pantry
- Local restaurants
- Giving Garden
- Local Food Depot
- UW Tacoma Integrated Facilities Management
Potential projects:
- Local food cooking classes
- Farmers market walks
- Food insecurity research
- Extra event food collection and disbursement
- Mapping the path of food on campus from restaurant to waste bin
- Partnering with West Coast Grocery to get more local food and healthy food options
- Food truck pilot program
Consider speaking to:
- Center for Equity and Inclusion
- DEI student workers within CSI
- RSOs
- UW Tacoma Social and Historical Studies School
- Psychological and Wellness Services
Potential Projects:
- Expanding sustainable health products on campus
- Events focusing on access and affordable sustainability
- Events/workshops/presentations around climate change impacts on marginalized communities
- Projects around unsustainable infrastructure
- Expanding wifi access into outdoor spaces
Consider speaking to:
- Integrated Facilities Management
- Environmental and Health Services
- Local thrift shops
Possible Projects:
- Composter for the Giving Garden
- Reuse and Repair Clinic
- Clothing swap
- Thrift market on campus
- Waste reduction campaigns
- Recycled art installation/show
- End of the year gear, clothing, kitchenware, etc exchange
- Cap and gown reuse/rental
- Composting bins for dorm rooms in Court 17
Consider speaking to:
- Integrated Facilities Management
Possible projects:
- Rain gardens maintenance/installation
- Installation of low flow fixtures within Court 17
- Water reduction campaigns within bathrooms and dressing rooms
- Rainwater harvesting in Giving Garden
- Permeable pavement
Consider speaking to:
- UW Tacoma Transportation Services
- Sound Transit
- Local bike and scooter shops
Possible Projects:
- Create a map with bike stations around campus
- Implement a bike/scooter rental program
- Promote the use of the U-Pass
- Bus stop art installation
- Electric car charging station
- Implement a ZipCar station near or on campus
Consider speaking to:
- Integrated Facilities Management
Possible Projects:
- Green roofs
- Solar projects or expansions
- Installation of efficient surge protectors
- Encourage green office certification programs
- Motion sensor lighting
Consider speaking to:
- Environmental Health and Safety
- College labs
- Green lab coordinator
- Research faculty on campus
- Center for Urban Waters
Potential Projects:
- Require all labs to be Green Lab certified
- Start a research project using the Giving Garden greenhouse
- Conduct innovative technology feasibility studies
Additional Resources
- https://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/environmentalservices/office_of_environmental_policy_and_sustainability
- https://www.instagram.com/tacomasustainability/?hl=en
- https://www.mytpu.org/community-environment/environmental-stewardship/
- https://cms.cityoftacoma.org/enviro/Sustain/SSG_Overview_2021.pdf
- 350 Tacoma: http://www.350tacoma.org/
- A Drop in the Ocean-https://adropintheoceanshop.com
- Arbutus ARME: https://www.arbutusarme.org/
- Bates Technical College: https://www.batestech.edu/
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound + Textile Collection Bus: https://inspirebig.org/donate/donate-used-clothing/
- Built Green: https://www.builtgreen.net/
- Center for Food Preservation Arts: http://preservefoods.blogspot.com/
- Citizens’ Climate Lobby: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/
- Citizens’ Climate Lobby / Citizens’ Climate Education: https://citizensclimateeducation.org/
- Citizens for a Healthy Bay-http://www.healthybay.org
- City of Tacoma – EnviroChallengers: https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=3666
- City of Tacoma – OEPS Green Buildings: https://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/environmentalservices/office_of_environmental_policy_and_sustainability/green_living_map_and_resources/green_building
- City of Tacoma – Solid Waste: https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=53543
- Community Council of Tacoma: https://senco253.org/2019/03/28/community-council-of-tacoma/
- Dancing Goats Coffee: https://www.dancinggoats.com/
- Downtown: On the Go!: https://downtownonthego.com/
- Earth Ministry / Washington Interfaith Power & Light: https://earthministry.org/
- Emergency Food Network- https://www.efoodnet.org/
- Environment & Culture Partners: https://ecprs.org/
- Food is Free Tacoma: https://foodisfreewashington.org/
- Forest Health Watch: https://foresthealth.org/
- Forterra-https://forterra.org/our-work/projects/green-tacoma-partnership/
- Greedy Vegan Catering Service: https://www.greedyvegan253.com/
- Harbor WildWatch: https://harborwildwatch.org/
- Heartwood Haven: https://heartwoodhaven.org/
- Indivisible Tacoma: https://indivisibletacoma.net/
- KTQA: https://ktqa.org/
- L’Arche Farm and Gardens: https://www.larchetahomahope.org/
- Legal Rights for the Salish Sea: https://legalrightsforthesalishsea.org/
- McMenamins Elks: https://www.mcmenamins.com/elks-temple
- MetroParks Tacoma: https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/
- Mighty Energy Solutions: https://mightyenergy.net/
- Nisqually Reach Nature Center: http://nisquallyestuary.org/
- Olympia Community Solar: https://olysol.org/
- Pierce Conservation District: https://piercecd.org/
- Pierce County – Pierce Trips: https://www.piercetrips.com/
- Pierce County Sustainable Resources Division: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/7513/Sustainable-Resources
- Pierce Transit: https://www.piercetransit.org/
- Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union: https://www.psccu.org/
- Puget Sound Estuarium: https://pugetsoundestuarium.org/
- Puget Soundkeeper Alliance: https://pugetsoundkeeper.org/
- Rad Power Bikes: https://www.radpowerbikes.com/
- Razor USA: https://razor.com/
- Resilient Ecosystems: https://www.reseco.org/
- Ridwell: https://www.ridwell.com/
- Second Cycle Community Bike Shop: https://www.2ndcycle.org/
- Second Use: https://www.seconduse.com/
- Shepherd’s Transformation Mansions Communities: https://stmchousing.com/
- Slater Museum of Natural History: https://www2.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/
- South Sound Surfrider: https://southsound.surfrider.org/
- SR3- Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, & Research: https://www.sealifer3.org/ (UW is a sponsor)
- St. Vincent de Paul of Tacoma, Pierce County: https://www.svdptacoma.org/
- Strategic Nature, LLChttps://www.strategicnature.com/
- Sustainable Tacoma Commission: https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=23594
- Tacoma Aroma Flavor: https://tacomaaromaflavor.com/
- Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America’s Ecosocialist Committee: https://tacomadsa.org/
- Tacoma Farmers Market: https://tacomafarmersmarket.com/
- Tacoma Ocean Fest: https://tacomaoceanfest.org/
- Tacoma Power: https://www.mytpu.org/
- Tacoma Public Library: https://www.tacomalibrary.org/
- Tacoma Soap Refillery: https://tacomasoaprefillery.com/
- Tacoma Tool Library & Mending Station: https://tacomatoollibrary.org/
- Tacoma Tree Foundation: https://www.tacomatreefoundation.org/
- Tacoma Water: https://www.mytpu.org/about-tpu/services/water/
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: https://www.tpchd.org/
- Tahoma Audubon Society: https://www.tahomaaudubon.org/
- The Climate Reality Project: Tacoma, WA Chapter: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/chapters
- The Ikkatsu Project: https://www.ikkatsuproject.org/
- University of Washington Tacoma: https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/
- Utensils-To-Go: https://www.facebook.com/utensilstogo.org/
- University of Washington Tacoma Giving Garden: https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/fa/facilities/sustainability/giving-garden
- Vashon Maury Island Land Trust: https://vashonlandtrust.org/
- Washington Service Corps: https://washingtonservicecorps.org/
- WDVA Veterans Conservation Corps – Veterans Farm at Orting: https://www.dva.wa.gov/news/2020/opportunities-grow-orting-veterans-farm
- Yoga Wild: https://www.facebook.com/BeYogaWild/
Project Marketing Guide
Outreach and marketing are essential pieces to ensure your project’s success. The following document outlines some strategies, tools, and university resources to help you share your wonderful project with the UWT community.
Submit an Idea
If you have an idea for a sustainability project but do not know where to start, please submit your idea and optional contact information.