BU Sustainability Festival: Food, Games, Giveaways on the GSU Plaza

BU Sustainability Festival: Food, Games, Giveaways on the GSU Plaza

As Boston University's fall semester kicks into gear, the annual Sustainability Festival returns on Wednesday, September 17, bringing together student groups, campus departments, and community partners to highlight sustainability initiatives on campus and across Greater Boston.

From 11 am to 2 pm at the George Sherman Union Plaza, festivalgoers can browse tables from more than 40 organizations, sample free food, and join in interactive activities. Uvida, Boston's first zero-waste store, will host a refill station for everyday products like shampoo and cleaning supplies. A bike-wrenching station will offer quick tune-ups, and BU Transportation Services will hold its traditional bike raffle. Attendees can also play lawn games and complete activities for a chance to win prizes.

"The Sustainability Festival has been around for many years, and it's a fun opportunity to celebrate fall on campus and explore all the opportunities around sustainability," says Lisa Tornatore (CAS'02), director of BU Sustainability. "It's about bringing our community together to learn about these various organizations, how to get involved if inclined, and just to have a little bit of fun."

This year's festival will feature a dedicated game area with activities tied to BU's Zero Waste Plan and updated Climate Action Plan, along with perennial favorites like free kettle corn and merchandise giveaways.

"BU has a Zero Waste Plan with a goal of diverting 90 percent of our waste by 2030, and it's something every member of the community can contribute to every day," Tornatore says. "Knowing which bin to use for trash and what's recyclable and what's not is a simple but empowering way to help us reach that goal."

The festival also serves as a launching point for students interested in long-term engagement with sustainability. Options include joining student organizations focused on climate and zero-waste projects, applying for seed grants through BU's Sustainability & Innovation program, or participating in year-round seminars and volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits.

"Sustainability is an overarching discipline that can be applied to many different topic areas," Tornatore says. "It's about resource efficiency, using our resources wisely, and ensuring there are enough resources to go around for the next generation."

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