Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.58
Liaison Stephen Ellis
Submission Date April 26, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Boston University
IN-2: Innovation 2

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Lisa Tornatore
Sustainability Director
BU Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
sustainability@BU Mobile App

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:

The sustainability@BU app, launched in August 2016, is the first mobile platform designed for the Boston University community to connect over sustainability in a virtual space. Users of the app can “buzz” or share photos and caption their sustainability related habits on a day-to-day basis. The app’s interface is like Instagram as it creates a newsfeed of logged activities, and resembles Twitter in the consistency with which people share relevant updates.

This mobile tool presents individuals with the opportunity to highlight their environmental and social consciousness and to learn of more ways to participate in the larger sustainability community. It equips users with useful links to outside resources, videos, and tips on how to further sustainable habits.

With each buzz points are also earned, allowing members to compete against their colleagues and friends in either local or national challenges that target sustainability issue areas such as energy, waste, and water consumption, among others. This social media network creates a personal dashboard for each individual’s account where they can see the impacts of their personal actions quantified. It tracks reductions in CO2 emissions, water use reduction, and waste diversion values for every member.

Since its debut, the app has gone on to replace the previous Join the Challenge campaign, which asked BU affiliates to make an online pledge to receive either a reusable water bottle or LED light bulb. Now, either of these items can be received by downloading the resource at community-wide events like Sustainability Festival. To date, over 1,900 participate in the sustainability@BU mobile network.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
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A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research ---
Campus Engagement Yes
Public Engagement ---
Air & Climate ---
Buildings ---
Dining Services ---
Energy ---
Grounds ---
Purchasing ---
Transportation ---
Waste ---
Water ---
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.