Going green is no longer an option for the world. It’s not only that the largest universities in the world can’t forfeit this requirement; they need to sow the right mindset in their students, the future decision-makers and leaders. De La Salle University (DLSU) sets a great example. DLSU has a holistic sustainability approach, involving all stakeholders and using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for sustainable growth. Delving deeper, DLSU focuses on three key areas to create a sustainable impact: operations, research, academics, and social engagement.

The university even received recognition for its approach to sustainability. A group of students from DLSU recently bagged the P1-million grant grand prize of the “Code Green for Campuses,” a competition sponsored by Lopez-owned First Gen Corporation for innovations in curbing campus emissions. The team, composed of manufacturing engineering student Fernando N. Magallanes, Jr., organizational communication student Alexia Roman, and economics student Ralph Stephen Saavedra, also received P100,000. They designed a compact anaerobic digester system that can convert cafeteria food waste to biogas. Inspired by existing anaerobic digestion tanks used in large farms, the team created a scaled-down, modified version that would allow the system to fit indoor facilities.

The team plans to use the grant to install a digester capable of handling all food waste generated by the three cafeterias on the Manila campus. Additionally, another digester is planned for the Laguna campus. They also intend to develop a variant of the design suitable for use in hospitality establishments and restaurants. On a congratulations note, we present our yearly special issue dedicated to the prestigious alumni of DLSU. Do let us know your thoughts.