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9 Things JCCC Has Done to Become a Sustainable Campus

August 28, 2025

How did JCCC earn an AASHE STARS Gold rating for sustainability? Check out these initiatives our campus has introduced to make sustainability a priority in student and community operations.

Johnson County Community College (JCCC) recently earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). JCCC is now one of the top institutions recognized for sustainability, both nationally and globally.

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is the most widely recognized tool for measuring sustainability in higher education, with over 1,200 institutions participating across 52 countries. JCCC’s STARS Gold rating reflects years of thoughtful, forward-thinking, community-wide initiatives that have transformed our campus, laying the groundwork for our students, community, and other institutions to do the same.

How did we accomplish this goal? How have our changes impacted the lives of students? And importantly, how does creating a sustainable campus help you and our community lead the way to a sustainable future?

1. We’ve Embraced Renewable Energy

Our purchased energy at JCCC is derived from renewable sources, making our campus electricity 100% renewable and carbon-free. However, over the last 10 years, the College has dramatically increased solar power usage on campus, now generating over 2,554 kilowatts from solar energy alone. Our rooftop solar installations now cover 11.5% of the campus’s energy usage, improving energy transmission and bypassing expensive energy rate hikes.

Thanks to a student-funded Solar Master Plan, we are now positioned to expand that capacity to up to 20% in the future renewable energy generated from campus solar power in the future, paving the way for an even more sustainable campus for students.

2. Our Campus Can Grow, But Our Energy Doesn’t Have To

Despite a growing footprint, JCCC has successfully reduced our overall electricity consumption. Since 2008, our electric usage has dropped 33%. When adjusted for square footage, the drop is even more impressive at a significant 44%. This success is thanks to strategic investments in LED lighting, HVAC system upgrades, chiller plant improvements, and enhanced building controls which save money for the college, allowing funds to be diverted to other campus projects like academics and student activities.

These energy-saving efforts have led to a remarkable 76% reduction in carbon emissions, putting the college on a clear path toward carbon neutrality.

3. Have You Explored Our Innovative Sustainability Projects?

For the Center for Sustainability at JCCC, the commitment to improvement goes beyond the basic boxes to check. It’s a pledge to embed sustainability in daily operations on campus, in academic life, and throughout the community. With this perspective, we have implemented sustainable practices and learning experiences through the following JCCC initiatives:

  • The Open Petal Farm gives students in Sustainable Agriculture and Culinary Arts hands-on experience growing and preparing organic food served in our dining facilities.
  • The Children’s Garden at the Hiersteiner Child Development Center teaches toddlers how vegetables grow, sparking a passion (and taste!) for growing your own food.
  • A comprehensive Bird Collision Study launched in 2018 led to retrofitting multiple campus building windows and glass walkways with anti-bird collision treatments to prevent bird strikes during migration. The initiative led to a 50% overall reduction in bird strikes on campus.
  • The college fleet now includes three Electric Vehicles (EVs), supported by charging stations and federal and local grants.

4. We’ve Reimagined Recycling and Materials Management

JCCC has made significant progress in responsible waste diversion. In 2011, only 16% of our waste was diverted from landfills. After a facilities remodel, we introduced a Zero Waste management process, and welcomed student interns to help the process. The initiative has brought our waste diversion up to an average of 55% per year – a more than threefold increase.

By sorting waste, improving recycling systems, organizing reusable material exchanges such as the Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE) for used office supplies, JCCC has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in landfill fees and generated over $350,000 in scholarship funds from recycling revenue.

5. We Make Every Drop Count

JCCC takes water seriously! Smart irrigation systems and metered tracking of evaporative cooling systems have saved the college over $340,000 in just the past two years. In 2025 alone, the campus used 31.5 million gallons of water, with conservation practices helping ensure every drop is used wisely.

This means that by using the facilities on campus, without even trying, you are contributing to an effective, money-saving water conservation system.

6. A Commitment to Composting

From food scraps to paper towels, composting at JCCC is helping transform waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Students and staff alike contribute to a closed-loop compost system, including a KC Can Compost drop-off site right on campus. Since 2011, we’ve composted 978,823 pounds of food waste – enough that we expanded our composter in 2025 to keep up!

Campus-generated compost now supports campus-wide landscaping and the Open Petal Farm, which has benefited from soil organic matter doubling due to composting efforts – another way that JCCC is turning daily life on campus into meaningful, sustainable change.

7. Sustainability Is Integrated into Academics

No matter what you study, JCCC offers academic coursework to engage with sustainability. From Fashion Design and Floriculture to Electrical Technology and Humanities, nearly every academic division provides an opportunity to explore and sharpen your sustainability knowledge – demonstrating our institution-wide commitment to bringing key sustainability concepts into academics across the curriculum.

Students can also take part in:

8. Our Students Are in the Driver’s Seat

At JCCC, students don’t just learn about sustainability – they lead it!

The Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) oversees the allocation of the Sustainability Initiatives Fund, supported by a $1-per-credit-hour student fee. The committee reviews and approves proposals from across campus and is responsible for funding several of our AASHE STARS-earning initiatives including recycling programs, bird-safe infrastructure, composting, and study abroad trips focused on sustainability.

Any student with an interest in sustainability and a desire to impact the community can apply to be on the SSC and be a part of the sustainable initiatives driving change on campus, but also in the community as a whole!

9. Engagement with the Community

Sustainability doesn’t end as you drive off campus. JCCC regularly hosts a wide range of events open to the public, designed to spark dialogue and build community around environmental issues.

From the Harvest Lunch, Cider and Sunset at Open Petal Farm, and Earth Days, to our speaker series, Actions for Earth at the Nerman Museum, or our sustainability conference, Epicenter, JCCC has created spaces for shared learning in the community, helping spread awareness of sustainability issues and solutions. 

When It Comes to Sustainability, JCCC Says Go for Gold!

Earning AASHE’S STARS Gold designation is a milestone in our journey, rather than a destination; however, we are proud of our achievements and all who contributed to our success, especially our students! By sharing your voice, exploring sustainability-focused classes and events, or simply being a part of our campus community, your very presence helps us continue in our commitment to building a sustainable future.