Sustaining our planet: How Creighton is putting sustainability into action

At Creighton, sustainability is more than a checklist—it’s a calling.

Rooted in our Jesuit values and our care for all of God’s creation, sustainability on campus shows up in both big initiatives and small, everyday moments. It’s a compost bin in the dining halls. It’s a geothermal-powered residence hall. It’s a student grabbing lunch in a reusable Green Box or catching the bus with their JayPass.

Most importantly, it’s a community-wide commitment to building a better future—together.

“Sustainability is important because it calls us to be active participants in the world, seeking to care for the planet and people we love,” says Leah Keator, a junior sociology student and Sustainable Transportation and Outreach Lead. “It is a chance to intentionally create communities that support one another by taking only what is needed. By reducing our environmental impact, we build time and space for exciting growth in relationships, hobbies and creativity that are more resilient and malleable to the changing world around us.”

Through the Office of Sustainability Programs and the Sustainable Creighton Initiative, that vision is coming to life in all kinds of creative and meaningful ways.

Here’s a look at just some of the efforts—and impact—happening across campus.

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Reducing Waste, Repurposing Resources

Sustainability starts small—and that’s exactly the point.

Launched in 2023, the Creighton Closet invites students to shop donated professional and winter clothing for free. Located in McGloin Hall, the Closet not only diverts usable clothing from the landfill but ensures every Bluejay has access to what they need.

In the dining halls, the Green Box program has reimagined to-go dining. Instead of single-use packaging, students on a meal plan—and faculty or staff for just $5—can use durable, reusable containers for meals on the go.

In just one year:

• 2,600 Green Boxes circulated on campus
• 38,000 single-use containers were kept out of the landfill
• More than 200 to-go meals a day (on average) were packed in Brandeis and Harper dining halls

Big Energy, Smaller Footprint

Sustainability is built into Creighton’s future—literally.

Graves Hall, Creighton’s newest freshman residence, features North America’s first installation of VirtuHOT HD, a next-gen solar thermal collector that helps heat water more efficiently while reducing energy use.

And coming soon: Creighton’s sophomore residence hall (opening fall 2026) will be partially heated and cooled through geothermal wells—tapping into the Earth’s natural energy to regulate building temperatures year-round.

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Getting Around—The Sustainable Way

Transportation is another way Creighton is making it easier—and greener—to get around.

With the JayPass program, all students ride Omaha’s Metro buses for free just by scanning their Creighton ID. It’s a simple way to explore the city, get to an internship or grab dinner off campus—all while cutting down on emissions.

Prefer to pedal? With plenty of bike racks across campus and nearby trail access, cycling remains one of the most sustainable (and scenic) ways to navigate life at Creighton.

Sustainability in the Classroom

From environmental science majors to business courses examining ethical consumption, sustainability shows up in Creighton classrooms in powerful ways.

Students can now search for sustainability-related courses in the Nest—part of the Sustainable Creighton Initiative’s goal to have 90% of departments offering at least one sustainability-connected course by 2028.

And for students looking to turn passion into profession, Creighton offers a Bachelor of Arts in sustainability—one of the first programs of its kind, launched in 1991.

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A Campus Committed to Progress

Creighton’s commitment to sustainability has earned national recognition, including a Silver rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). The next goal? Achieving Gold status by 2026.

Students can get involved directly through the Creighton Student Sustainability Action Fund (CSSAF)—which supports student-led projects that build a culture of care for our common home.

Because at Creighton, sustainability isn’t just about what we build—it’s about who we become.