Sustainability

Protecting the World that Sustains Us

APEI recognizes the importance of leading by example. Our students’ achievements in sustainability are bolstered by our own environmental practices. For this reason, our organization invests in technologies and programs that enable us to reduce our carbon footprint and business waste. APUS, our largest subsidiary, is leading the way with its pledge to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050 as a charter signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (now called Second Nature).

As an online institution, APUS has an inherently lower carbon footprint than traditional brick-and-mortar universities—requiring no physical grounds to maintain, and thus eliminating the need for students and instructors to commute. At the same time, APEI’s nursing schools (RU and HCN) offer flexible programs that require in-person attendance only when necessary. By combining online course offerings with conveniently located campuses, these universities reduce the need for long commutes, thereby further preventing pollution.

Overall, our long-term environmental goal is to emit less than 0.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per full time enrollment (FTE) per year by 2030. Furthermore, APEI has plans to achieve a 20% reduction in non-hazardous waste per FTE by 2030, followed by a 50% reduction¹ by 2050.

Our commitment to these goals is best demonstrated by our investment in renewable energy and energy-efficient administrative buildings. In October 2009, APUS broke ground on a new, energy-efficient academic center in an EPA-targeted revitalization corridor within Charles Town, WV. This building earned LEED-Gold certification by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Similarly, our finance center—which was built in 2011—also earned LEED-platinum certification. Both buildings were constructed with low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials, and we continue to use Green Seal products for all cleaning and kitchen supplies. APUS also employs a comprehensive recycling program—which APEI plans to introduce to the rest of the organization—that includes batteries, paper, plastic, metal, cardboard, and light bulbs.