Boston University’s Fall Sustainability Festivals: Food, Fun, and Green Futures

Fall is finally here, the leaves are turning, and BU’s sustainability crew is rolling out the green carpet for two lively festivals. One lands on the Medical Campus’s Talbot Green on Wednesday, September 16, and the other sets up shop at the George Sherman Union Plaza on the Charles River Campus a week later, September 23. Both run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so you’ve got a solid three‑hour window to snack, play, and learn.

“It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate as a university community the idea and concept of sustainability and to highlight and showcase all the different intersections of sustainability,” says Parren Fountain, BU Sustainability’s engagement manager. In plain English, she wants everyone—from chemistry majors to literature buffs—to see how sustainability weaves into every thread of campus life.

What’s on the table (literally)? Free treats like cake pops and kettle corn, plus a handful of bike giveaways that might just get you pedaling to class. At the Medical Campus, you’ll find reps from Student Food Rescue, the Boston Cyclists Union, Eastie Farm, and the American Student Dental Association Sustainability Committee sharing tips on reducing waste and boosting community impact.

Cross the Charles River, and the vibe is just as buzzing. Roughly 40 tables will showcase groups such as BU Beekeeping, StuGov Environmental Affairs, and the Environmental Student Organization under BU Earth & Environment. Club leaders will chat about everything from starting a campus garden to organizing clothing swaps.

Lisa Tornatore, director of BU Sustainability (CAS’02), reminds us that “sustainability is for everyone.” She notes that the fall semester can be a waste‑generation monster—think disposable coffee cups, take‑out containers, and the like. Massachusetts burns about half of its solid waste in waste‑to‑energy plants; the rest ends up in landfills or shipped elsewhere. Diverting that waste—whether through composting, recycling, or donating clothes to Goodwill or Campus Closet—makes a tangible dent.

Speaking of Campus Closet, co‑vice president Andrew Kim says the group’s clothing swaps turn “sustainability into fun.” He jokes that swapping a sweater might feel small, but “it helps the world in more ways than people think.”

Both festivals also feature a stamp‑card scavenger hunt. Collect eight different stamps, drop the card at the BU Sustainability tent, and you could walk away with a bike, a portable hammock, recycled‑material tote bags, zero‑waste kits, or a gift basket from Uvida Shop—Boston’s first zero‑waste store.

So, whether you’re a commuter grabbing a quick bite, a freshman eager to join a green club, or a grad student looking for new ways to cut your carbon footprint, the festivals promise a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Stop by, grab some swag, maybe learn a thing or two, and leave feeling a little greener than when you arrived.

Remember the details:

• BU Medical Campus – Talbot Green, Wednesday, September 16, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
• BU Charles River Campus – GSU Plaza, Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.