Sustainability

What Does "Sustainability" Mean for the Borough?

Sustainability has many different definitions. For State College Borough, sustainability means using best practices to create lasting environmental, economic, societal and fiscal vitality as part of State College's overall mission to enhance the quality of life in the following ways:

  • By fostering a safe, vibrant, diverse and sustainable community
  • By providing quality, innovative, cost-effective services
  • By allocating resources efficiently with professionalism, integrity, transparency and accountability

Note: Borough Staff regularly receives sustainability training; including best practices in MS4 stormwater management.

Download the 2022 Sustainability Plan (PDF).

Download the Sustainable Community Guide

Council Support

State College is serious about sustainability. State College Borough Council committed to sustainability in 2007 when it passed Resolution 944 (PDF), a Commitment to be a Climate Protection Community, with a set of goals targeting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Mayor Elizabeth Goreham strongly supports initiatives to create a more environmentally-friendly State College. She speaks often about her passion for the environment, leads community bike rides, and more.

View the Resolution 944 Final Report (PDF).

Management Support

In April of 2010, State College Manager Thomas J. Fountaine established the Manager's Committee on Sustainability, an action-based employee task force, to increase collaboration between municipal departments on issues regarding the economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and community resilience of State College Borough. The Sustainability Committee seeks to develop initiatives aimed at increasing staff knowledge, developing community partnerships and fostering sustainable best management practices.

Email the Sustainability Committee

Sponsored Events

All Borough sponsored events have a sustainable focus.

All events hosted in the Municipal Building will have access to organics and recycling bins. Sponsored events, like Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, are working towards being zero-waste with the assistance of Borough. These are just a few examples of how the Borough continues to promote sustainability with their partners and events.

Sign Up for Updates

Click HERE to sign up for the Sustainability ListServ.