Special Edition – Campus Sustainability Month
Editor’s Note: Sustainability Month starts next week. Learn about the upcoming campus events to celebrate and how you can get involved.
Campus Sustainability Month is Coming
October is Campus Sustainability Month. Throughout the month, special events are scheduled that highlight Charlotte’s commitment to sustainability on and off campus.
- Green Living Guide: This guide from the Office of Sustainability offers practical tips to live sustainably from the materials you use to the way you navigate campus.
upcoming events
- Transportation Fair: Learn about sustainable ways to get around campus at the Transportation Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, in the CHHS/CoED Plaza.
- Halloween Costume Making Workshop: Brainstorm and create your Halloween costume from reclaimed materials from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, at Area 49 Makerspace, Atkins Library.
- Group Bike Ride: Join UNC Charlotte staff, faculty and students for a group bike ride along the Toby Creek and Mallard Creek greenways (approximately eight miles), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, starting at Hauser Alumni Pavilion.
- Campus Beautification Day: Plant trees, collect litter and assist with other beautification projects from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7. The event check-in will be at Lot 4; register here.
- Student Sustainability Summit: Meet with Student Government Association representatives about campus sustainability issues from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 200.
campus spotlights
Keeping UNC Charlotte Green with the Charlotte Green Initiative
Many campus sustainability projects are supported by students through the student green fund, known as the Charlotte Green Initiative. Learn about the projects CGI funded in 2024-25.
Sea turtles and Sustainability: Levine Scholar Avery Taylor Commits to Environmental Advocacy
From volunteering with the Carolina Raptor Center to working on sea turtle conservation at Edisto Beach State Park and being involved with the Charlotte Green Initiative, Avery Taylor has combined hands-on fieldwork with initiatives that raise awareness about environmental change.
Designing for Impact: Cheryl Walker’s Vision Supports University Sustainability Goals
Prior to joining UNC Charlotte in 2022, Cheryl Walker, an architect and project manager, was already a trailblazer for sustainable construction and planning in North Carolina. She explains how sustainability is integrated into the planning process and the long-term benefits of thoughtful design for the campus community.
campus sustainability facts
- 12 certified green buildings, accounting for 77% of construction since 2009.
- 43% decrease in energy use intensity since 2002.
- 90 staff and faculty have participated in the Sustainability Ambassador program.
- 88% of departments offer sustainability-inclusive courses.
- 61% decrease in water use intensity since 2002.
- 370 bags of litter were picked up during Adopt-a-Spot litter cleanups during the 2024-25 academic year.
- 82% of waste was recycled or composted in the Zero Waste Stadium program during the 2024 football season.