Sustainability at UW-Stout is not just a trend but a central tenet of the university’s operations and academic ethos. The campus has implemented significant energy-saving projects and received a 2024 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award from Focus on Energy. This award highlights UW-Stout’s achievements in energy conservation and its commitment to its surrounding community in Menomonie and beyond.

Since 2017, the university has worked with Xcel Energy and Focus on Energy, completing 79 energy-saving projects. These extensive upgrades include LED lighting, solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, weatherization of campus buildings, and destratification fans in the sports and fitness center. The university received more than $272,000 in Focus on Energy incentives. More importantly, these energy-saving efforts are equal to saving enough electricity to power nearly 6,000 homes in Menomonie​.

What sets UW-Stout apart from other institutions is its focus on applied learning and how it ties energy efficiency projects into educational opportunities. By integrating green initiatives into all facets of campus life, the university not only reduces its environmental footprint but also educates the next generation of sustainability leaders. The university’s approach to sustainability extends beyond operational upgrades to creating a campus-wide culture of environmental stewardship.

The university’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its diverse range of programs, many of which prepare students to tackle the environmental challenges of the future. Students pursuing careers in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as business and design, are exposed to real-world applications of sustainability. Through industry partnerships and hands-on learning experiences, students witness firsthand the impact of energy-saving technologies, waste reduction, and sustainable transportation systems.

UW-Stout’s collaboration with organizations such as Focus on Energy and Xcel Energy has been integral to its success. These partnerships have helped the university secure funding, access state and federal programs, and implement numerous sustainability initiatives. The most recent multi-building campus energy project involved lighting upgrades, additional solar panels, and weatherization improvements. The project alone saves UW-Stout more than $170,000 annually.

Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program and Focus on Energy’s long-term collaboration with UW-Stout have positioned the university as a pioneer in energy conservation efforts. Since 2007, the energy team at UW-Stout has continually spearheaded new projects, consistently focusing on ways to improve campus operations while minimizing environmental impact. In just six years, the university’s energy-saving initiatives have resulted in savings of 243 kW of energy, over 1.34 million kilowatt-hours (kWhs), and more than 233,000 therms. These significant reductions have been bolstered by $188,400 in incentives from Focus on Energy, further solidifying UW-Stout’s reputation as a leader in sustainable energy use​.

The university’s green initiatives are not limited to energy savings alone. UW-Stout has adopted a holistic approach to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly practices into every aspect of campus life. Some of the notable efforts include switching from coal to natural gas for campus energy in 2020, maintaining an outdoor classroom with natural habitats, and operating the UW-Sprout campus garden, which provides locally grown produce to students and staff. These initiatives, along with campus-wide recycling and composting programs, showcase the university’s commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainability​.

Additionally, UW-Stout’s transportation options contribute to its eco-friendly campus. The university promotes sustainable transportation through a bike rental program, rideshare initiatives, and the designation of the campus as a national Bike Friendly Campus. These efforts not only reduce carbon emissions but also encourage students and staff to adopt greener habits in their daily commutes.

The university’s dedication to waste reduction is also evident in its participation in the national Campus Race to Zero Waste competition, where UW-Stout has consistently ranked first or second among Wisconsin universities and placed in the top 50 nationally. In 2023 alone, the university’s efforts to reuse and recycle surplus items saved over 215,000 pounds of material from ending up in landfills​.