ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio University’s newly relocated OHIO Ecohouse, situated at the top of Morton Hill on the Athens campus, is demonstrating that sustainable living can thrive in the heart of a bustling college environment, university officials said.
Previously located in a more remote off-campus setting, the Ecohouse has been moved to a central campus location within walking distance of facilities and a bike path. The residence serves as a living laboratory for undergraduate and graduate students, offering hands-on learning in sustainability and environmental stewardship.
“It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress,” said Sam Crowl, Director of Sustainability at Ohio University. “The Ecohouse helps us demonstrate what’s possible in a typical living space, not some distant, utopian future.”
Since the early 2000s, the Ecohouse has provided students the opportunity to reduce their environmental impact while living in Athens. Residents enroll in a one-credit seminar each semester focused on sustainability, environmental leadership, and practical green living. No prior experience is required, only a willingness to learn. Residents undertake sustainability projects, such as soap making, energy audits, and transforming waste plastic into building materials.
The new Ecohouse continues the sustainable practices of its predecessor, which featured an organic garden, solar panels, rain barrels, and composting systems. Current projects include constructing an organic garden with a fence made from locally harvested invasive bamboo, installing solar panels, and creating a monarch butterfly waystation and bluebird houses to enhance local biodiversity. Rain barrels will collect water for garden use, and energy-efficient practices like LED lighting and mindful thermostat use are prioritized inside the home.
“People often think going green means major investments or big sacrifices,” Crowl said. “But what we’re showing here is that the average person can start small, right where they are. Sustainability isn’t just for off-grid cabins. It can and should be part of everyday urban and suburban life.”
The Ecohouse offers practical tips for the public, including starting small gardens, collecting rainwater, planting native species, and using energy-efficient appliances and household cleaners made from simple ingredients like baking soda and vinegar.
Any student eligible to live off-campus can apply to reside in the Ecohouse, provided they are committed to sustainable living. “The Ecohouse is not just about helping the environment, it’s about providing an educational and community-building experience for the students who live there and showing that it is possible to reduce waste, energy, and more in an average home,” Crowl said.
The OHIO Ecohouse is currently the only residence at Ohio University dedicated to sustainable living and is among the few of its kind on college campuses nationwide. The university also supports sustainability through initiatives like its Composting Facility, Sustainability Hubs, and Campus Race to Zero Waste.