FIT dye garden with students tending the flowers
A male student wearing a white t-shirt and black framed glasses is smiling on top of the roof next to the dye garden
Two female students standing behind a table of crafts they are selling such as yarn puppets and screenprinted tshirts.
Two female students checking the clothing rack during a Flea Market in the Breezeway.
A female student with dark hair in beehive protective gear is holding a comb dripping with honey

Sustainability at FIT

At FIT, sustainability serves as a guiding principle across all aspects of the college—from curriculum to campus operations and architecture to the daily decisions we make.

Annual Conferences and Events

FIT organizes and hosts events that promote sustainability awareness and practice.
Student checking out a vendor at Sustainability Awareness Week

Sustainability Awareness Week

Held each October, Sustainability Awareness Week highlights sustainability initiatives from industry leaders and the FIT community, including students, faculty, and staff.
View from the audience at a presentation on stage for the Sustainability Design Conference

The Sustainable Business and Design Conference

The yearly conference serves as a recognized platform for collaboration and dialogue across the creative industries, showcasing advances in sustainable design and innovative thought leadership.
A female student standing next to her artwork for Earth Week

Earth Week

Each spring semester, FIT students, faculty, and staff organize a week-long Earth Week celebration that features programs and events highlighting sustainability efforts across campus.

FIT's Sustainability Timeline

The college’s Strategic Plan, committed to instituting sustainable practices and reducing FIT’s carbon footprint. Take a look at projects, events, and milestones over the last 20 years. 
Karen Pearson, organizer of the Sustainability Conference

2007: First annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference. Pictured: Karen Pearson, current chair of the Sustainability Council, and organizer of the conference. 

Former FIT President Dr. Brown ath the podium during Sustainabilty Conference

2008: Former FIT President Dr. Brown establishes the FIT Sustainability Council

Three awardees of the Clinton Global Initiative University

2014: TDM students attend the Clinton Global Initiative University conference and present a proposal for a natural dye garden. Garden created and planted in summer 2014.

Two female students putting in materials into the muslin compost bin.

2015: Muslin Composting Project underway

Close-up of a sunflower with a bee on top of it.

2017: Communicating Climate Change – Celebrated author and leading polar marine biologist visit FIT and sit for a Q&A with Amy Lemmon.

A demonstration from the BioDesign Challenge. A hand is holding up a knitted piece made from algae.

2018: National Endowment for the Arts ArtWorks grant for “New Sustainable Design: How Materials Advance Innovation: a three part seminar series and two-day public conference.

An image of Amber Valleta, a super model who is FIT's sustainability ambassador

2021: Supermodel Amber Valletta named FIT’s sustainability ambassador

A student presenting winning design for RE.Uniqulo studios

2023: UNIQLO Partners with FIT on an Upcycling Collection for RE.UNIQLO Studio

An exhibition picture from Denim Divine. Students made gowns and high-concept outfits made from upcycled denim.

2024:  Fashion Design AAS Denim Divine

Students in luxury outerwear garments made for the RealReal

2024: Students Redefine Sustainable Luxury Outerwear with The RealReal

An underwater image of seaweed floating

2025:  Climate Week NYC. Seaweed Stories documentary film screening with director Q&A.

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2025: FIT and The RealReal partner for a Second Upcycled Collaboration

Materials made from biomaterials

2025: FIT named to the prestigious academic consortium selected run the cutting-edge sustainable materials innovation hub, Gotham Foundry, and awarded $45 million by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

A blonde-haired female student standing outside of FIT with cherry blossom trees behind her.
FIT students talk sustainability

Sustainability: A Core Value

Sustainability emerged as a key focus at FIT in response to growing concern among faculty, students, and administrators about climate change and environmental impacts. FIT’s Strategic Plan pledged to adopt sustainable practices and reduce the college’s carbon footprint. Over the past twenty years, FIT has advanced its sustainability efforts by integrating sustainability into the curriculum, expanding community involvement, and emphasizing sustainable campus practices.

students in FIT sustainability course

Sustainability Studies

Become an environmentally conscious, creative, and strategic thinker through our academic programs. Develop insights into sustainable principles and practices, and learn to think and act purposefully to create change.

Programs, courses, and projects 

FIT faculty and student working on sustainability project together

Get Involved

As a member of the FIT community—students, faculty, and staff—you can find opportunities that promote and further sustainability on campus and beyond.

Take Action 

Commitment to a Greener Campus

As a large urban campus, FIT recognizes that our infrastructure, architecture, and operations offer many opportunities to integrate sustainable practices and reduce our carbon footprint. Since being the first institution among New York’s colleges and hospitals to meet (and exceed) the 2007 Mayor’s Carbon Challenge, FIT has continually expanded its initiatives, from installing green roofs to using better materials and equipment in construction and renovation projects to recycling efforts on campus.

Sustainability Resources

commons area of the Joyce F. Brown Academic Building

The solar panels on the Joyce F. Brown Academic Building bring in 21,222 kilowatt-hours of energy annually.

FIT's green roofs initiative for sustainability

Green Roof Initiative

FIT hives for sustainability

FIT Hives

muslin composting at FIT for sustainability

Muslin Composting

FIT's natural dye garden

Natural Dye Garden

Clinton Global Inistiative University

Our students' participation in the Clinton Global Initiative University reflects an ongoing commitment to a healthy planet. 

62%
FIT's carbon footprint reduction since 2001
39
solar panels top the new Joyce F. Brown Academic Building.
$1.25 million+
amount FIT has earned back so far from the City of New York for outstanding performance in reducing power

Working Towards a More Sustainable Future

On-campus efforts and events contribute to our dedication to furthering the college's sustainablity initiative.
The chiller plant uses electricity to maintain a comfortable indoor climate at FIT. Photo by Smiljana Peros.

FIT Invests in Energy-Efficient Infrastructure

In the fight against climate change, FIT installed a new energy-efficient air-cooling system that makes maintaining a comfortable indoor climate significantly less energy-intensive.
FIT President Joyce F. Brown with Sustainability Council Chair Karen R. Peterson at the 2025 FIT Changemaker Award ceremony, where Dr. Brown received the award for her legacy of contributions to sustainability at FIT.

Sustainability Conference Welcomes Circularity Trailblazers

FIT’s 19th Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference, Charting a Course Toward Circularity, showcased leaders advancing zero-waste, closed-loop systems in fashion. Over two days, speakers shared strategies, emphasized collaboration, and encouraged continued efforts toward industry reform.
FIT sustainability fair

8 Practical Ways to Live More Sustainably

At FIT, sustainability is a shared value. From campus to community, students, staff, and faculty are making an impact—and you’re invited to join them..

Learn More

Contact Us

Karen Pearson
Chair, Sustainability Council
[email protected]