Wartburg College has received a Silver rating from a nationwide organization that assesses sustainability efforts of more than 300 colleges and universities.

Wartburg achieved Silver status from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education after submitting a lengthy review of its practices. Wartburg was the sixth institution of higher education in Iowa to seek a rating and received the highest score of any non-regents institution.

STARS — the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System — covers curriculum, cocurricular activities, strategic plan, research, building and grounds, purchasing, greenhouse gas emissions, dining services and investments, among other things. AASHE has Platinum (never awarded), Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.

Wartburg had a near-perfect score in cocurricular education, which includes faculty and student initiatives. The college has had numerous sustainability events, such as participation in the nationwide Recyclemania, Game Day Challenge and America Recycles Day, as well its Campus Sustainability Days and Be Green Certification campaign to increase personal awareness of sustainable living.

The college recently established a major in Environmental Science and Studies, upgrading what had been a minor, and adopted a strategic plan with an objective of “promoting stewardship” of natural resources.

Wartburg was one of the first colleges to adopt trayless dining, which curbs food waste and significantly reduces cleaning, while using more recyclable containers.

In addition, the college has made a $2.4 million investment in new fixtures across campus, reducing its carbon footprint by 18 percent.

A copy of the STARS report is at http://stars.aashe.org.