UANL Leads 2025 Green Metric on Sustainable Infrastructure

The Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL) was ranked the world’s leading institution in sustainable infrastructure and equipment in the 2025 Green Metric World University Rankings, reaffirming its position as Mexico’s most sustainable university for the ninth consecutive year. In the 2025 edition of the ranking, which evaluated 760 universities worldwide, UANL placed 11th overall, ranking as the second most sustainable institution in Latin America and the third in North America, according to Green Metric data.

UANL secured first place globally in the Infrastructure and Equipment for Sustainability category. The ranking highlighted the university’s initiatives in efficient water use, the deployment of energy measurement and management systems, the promotion of sustainable mobility, and student participation in environmental projects. The recognition was awarded on Dec. 5 during the annual Green Metric World University Ranking ceremony at National Chi Nan University in Taiwan.

Originally conceived as an environmental performance index, the Green Metric ranking has evolved to assess sustainability more holistically, incorporating environmental management, human development, and economic factors. Institutions are evaluated across multiple indicators, including infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste management, water use, transportation, education, and research. More than 30 Mexican universities participated in the 2025 edition, according to UANL officials.

Sergio Salvador Fernández Delgadillo, UANL’s secretary of sustainability, said the results reflect years of sustained institutional efforts to integrate sustainability into both operations and academic activities. He added that the university is close to entering the global top 10.

“The difference in points between No. 10 and us is around 35 points. We are really just one step away from joining that elite group of the 10 most sustainable universities in the world,” Fernández Delgadillo said.

He noted that sustainability has been embedded as a daily practice across the institution. “Our university offers a significant number of undergraduate and graduate programs focused on understanding the economic, social, and environmental impacts of sustainability. Everything we do in education is aimed at developing highly trained professionals in these areas,” he said.

UANL officials said the university’s sustainability strategy is designed to produce graduates with both technical expertise and a commitment to developing sustainable solutions in their professional environments. This approach has guided curriculum development, campus operations, and community engagement initiatives.

A central pillar of UANL’s performance has been the development of sustainable infrastructure. Most of the university’s campuses are located in arid or semi-arid regions, shaping institutional policies on design and construction. The university applies sustainability criteria throughout the planning, construction, and operation of its facilities to reduce environmental impact, optimize natural resource use, and create healthy learning environments.

Key measures include the installation of water-saving restroom systems, energy-efficient lighting, and energy and water management technologies across campuses. UANL has also prioritized the integration of green areas into campus design, with buildings arranged around tree systems and carefully maintained open spaces.

“We have a series of buildings arranged within tree systems, and the university has extensive green areas where we make significant efforts to keep them in optimal condition,” Fernández Delgadillo said. “The way our buildings are integrated into the campus layout has contributed significantly to our performance in the indicators.”

Beyond infrastructure, UANL promotes sustainable practices among students and staff, including waste separation, energy conservation, and green-space stewardship. Student involvement in environmental projects was cited as a key factor in the Green Metric evaluation.

UANL, Private Sector Collaborate on Waste Management

In August, UANL partnered with Oxxo and BioBox to install two smart recycling machines at on-campus convenience stores. University officials said the initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage responsible waste management within the university community.

BioBox, a fully Mexican startup, combines proprietary hardware and software to streamline recycling through a digital platform. Its reverse vending machines (RVMs) and mobile app allow users to deposit recyclable materials and receive rewards, creating an incentive-based model that promotes sustainable behavior.

The RVMs installed at UANL accept a wide range of materials, including clear and colored PET, glass, aluminum, flexible and rigid plastics, coffee capsules, and bottle caps. Users can accumulate points through the BioBox app, which can be converted into Spin Premia points when linked to their account, enabling purchases at more than 23,000 OXXO stores nationwide.

“Young generations, like those at UANL, are essential to achieving lasting change. They have both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead the transition toward a more conscious and committed society,” said Ángela Barragán, environmental manager, OXXO.

Luis Alvarado, CEO of BioBox, highlighted the importance of expanding the initiative. “Reaching Nuevo Leon for the first time is a key step in our mission to make recycling an everyday and accessible practice. With the right technology and a rewards model close to people, we aim to transform how waste is managed in Mexico,” he said.