The efforts of Australian universities to 'green their campuses' and include sustainability in curriculum and research is being discussed at a conference hosted by the University of Technology, Sydney this week.

For the first time, more than 28 universities from across Australia and two TAFE colleges are attending the National Conference of Sustainable Campuses to discuss ways to decrease environmental impact in university communities.

Universities leading best practice in waste management, recycling and resource conservation are sharing ideas with other universities just beginning to adopt sustainable practices.

UTS Sustainability Coordinator and Conference organiser Emma Bentton said interest in the conference had gone beyond being the sole province of university "environment officers".

"Facilities managers, energy managers, building project managers, architects and students are all participating," Ms Bentton said. "We have also attracted interest from State Rail, the ABC facilities group, Powerhouse Museum, the Fosters Group and Kuring-Gai and City of Sydney councils.

"Conference papers focus on practical and cost-efficient best practice sustainability programs universities can adopt.

"UTS has an active sustainability program focusing on waste and electricity management and this conference will allow us to share our ideas and benefit from the successes of other progressive universities."

Issues the conference is addressing include energy, waste, water, building management and strategies to engage participation by all members of the University community.

Keynote speakers include Tricia Caswell - head of the Global Sustainability Unit at RMIT, Warwick Moss from the World-Wide Fund for Nature and former Young Telstra Business Woman of the Year, Naomi Eddy.