Campus Sustainability Month 2024

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The Office of Sustainability is hosting a series of events throughout October to celebrate Campus Sustainability Month. All events are free and we encourage the campus community and the wider community to take advantage of these informative and fun demonstrations. If you have any questions or suggestions please email me at melissa.covington@usm.edu.

Bra-Vo Donation Drive, October 1st - October 31st - October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Office of Sustainability is proud to host the annual Bra-Vo donation drive! We're collecting gently used, reusable bras to help reduce textile waste in landfills while supporting women in need. Donation boxes will be available on the 1st floor of every residence hall. If you're off-campus but want to contribute, contact melissa.covington@usm.edu. Our team will collect donations every Friday, and good-quality bras will be donated to those in need. Let's support the cause and the planet!

Project Green Challenge, October 1st - October 31st - Get involved with the annual Project Green Challenge, kicking off on October 1! Whether individually or as part of a team, you can be part of this global movement to inspire, inform, and mobilize others toward environmental action. For 30 days, PGC will feature daily eco-themed challenges designed to shift mindsets, touch lives, and equip high school, college, and grad school students with the knowledge and tools to lead change on campuses and in communities worldwide. Ready to take on the challenge? Register now at https://projectgreenchallenge.com/login and start making an impact!

Learn the Label, October 8th, 11 am – 2 pm, Shoemaker Square. Join us for an educational session on how to properly recycle materials! We'll break down important recycling terminologies like ‘Wish’cycling and ‘Pre’cycling, explain the differences in plastics, and clarify what can and cannot be recycled on campus. Let’s work together to improve our recycling habits and create a cleaner, greener campus!

Rock Painting for the Planet, October 18th, 11 am – 2 pm, Weathersby Lawn. Visit us for a fun and creative rock-painting event using eco-friendly materials! Spread positive messages and environmental awareness with your designs. The most creative and inspiring rocks will win a prize of choice!  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get artistic while promoting sustainability!

Hattiesburg Shred Event,  Thursday, October 24th, 10 am – 2 pm. 3101 West 4th Street. Safeguard your sensitive documents with our shredding services, hosted by our office and Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office at Physical Plant. Protect your privacy and prevent identity theft by securely disposing of confidential paperwork. This first-come, first-served service will be available until the shredding truck is full, so be sure to arrive early. Don’t miss this opportunity to declutter responsibly and keep your personal information safe and secure.

Single Use Scaries, October 29th, 11 am – 2 pm, Shoemaker Square. Swing by and let us show you why single-use items are so scarily unsustainable!  Explore displays of common single-use products and learn about the environmental impact they have. Challenge yourself to swap out your single-use items for sustainable alternatives and make a positive change! Let’s reduce waste and create a greener future, one swap at a time!

Social Justice Fair, October 30th, 11 am – 2 pm, Shoemaker Square.  Join us as organizations from campus and the wider community come together to share their messages of respect, dignity, equality, and justice. Learn about important social justice issues, discover volunteer opportunities, and show your support for a more just and equitable world. Whether you're looking to get involved or simply want to be informed, this is the perfect chance to engage and make a difference!

Campus Cleanup: Halloween Edition, October 31st 11 am – 12 pm, Lofty Return, Join the Office of Sustainability and the Eco Ambassadors for a spooktacular Halloween-themed campus-wide clean-up! Let's get into the festive spirit while helping to keep our campus clean. Grabbers, gloves, and bags will be provided—just bring your Halloween spirit and enthusiasm for making a difference! See you there for some frightful fun and community spirit!