Earth Day at BU Is a Month-Long Affair
Join BU Sustainability and the entire Boston University community for a month-long series of events that promote the importance of protecting our planet.
Earth Day at BU Is a Month-Long Affair
Join in as BU Sustainability sponsors events, among them a pop-up bike wash, Student Government’s climate symposium, and an Esplanade cleanup
Technically, Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22. But fighting climate change calls for more than one day of priority and action.
Here on campus, BU Sustainability emphasizes that the entire month of April should be dedicated to events that encourage us to care for our planet daily. BU’s celebration is called Earth Day 365.
“Earth Day is not just about the trees and the bees,” says Lisa Tornatore (CAS’02), director of BU Sustainability. “It is really about how all of us can participate in a variety of activities and share our own experiences—and how those experiences impact the planet.”
BU Sustainability has partnered with other campus organizations to create a diverse range of experiences, including restaurant tastings. This year’s events center on three themes:
- What We Grow, What We Eat, What We Toss
- Reuse and Repair
- Planet, People, Purpose
Below is a sample of Earth Day 365 events; find the full list here.
Beans for Bean
Stop by with your shelf-stable donations and get to spend time with Bean, BUPD’s community resource dog. Hosted by Student Wellbeing, this event supports the BU Food Pantry, which helps students facing food insecurity. What’s better—everyone who donates can enter to win a private playdate with Bean! Need ideas for what to donate? Think canned beans and veggies, dry lentils, peanut butter, and boxed cereal; check out the full list here.
Thursday, April 2, noon to 2 pm, George Sherman Union Plaza, 775 Commonwealth Ave.
Free Bike Wash & Ride
Bike in desperate need of a clean-up? To encourage more students to use this eco-friendly form of transportation, BU Cycle Kitchen (BUCK) and Boston Cafe Bikers are hosting an event that promises to clean off the winter wear-and-tear your bike’s been through. Then take a ride into Cambridge to First Street Market and Amba Cafe to celebrate the spring weather—finally—arriving. Register here.
Saturday, April 4. Bike wash from 9:30 am to noon; ride at noon, beginning at BU Cycle Kitchen, 1019 Commonwealth Ave.
Shred + Recycle Events
In need of recycling some difficult-to-reuse items? Shred + Recycle is here to safely and securely recycle your documents with personal or sensitive information, plus any hard drives that are tough to reuse on your own. Any electronics or general recyclables are welcome, including batteries, light bulbs, toner, and cords—just in time for spring cleaning. See the full list of accepted items here.
BU Medical Campus: Tuesday, April 7, 10 am to 1 pm, Talbot Green, 715 Albany St., in front of the Talbot Building. Charles River Campus: Wednesday, April 8, 10 am to 1 pm, Agganis Arena parking lot, directly behind Agganis Arena, accessible via Harry Agganis Way or Buick Street.
Campus Climate Lab Symposium
This symposium is a celebration of the student research, innovation, and collaboration driving BU’s Climate Action Plan forward. Hosted by BU Sustainability, in collaboration with the BU Institute for Global Sustainability and the Office of Research, it’s an opportunity to hear from the Campus Climate Lab (CCL) project teams as they share and reflect on their findings. The afternoon will also feature a panel of BU alums, and the CCL Review Committee will announce the winners of the 2026 Janetos Climate Action Prize.
Open to all BU students, faculty, and staff. Vegetarian and vegan lunch will be provided; registration is required so we can plan accordingly and minimize food waste.
Wednesday, April 15, 11 am to 2 pm, Rajen Kilachand Center for Integrated Life Sciences & Engineering, 24 Cummington Mall.
Student Government Climate Symposium
Looking for a future in sustainability? Access BU’s academic and professional network at this year’s Climate Symposium, hosted by BU Student Government. Three days of events—including panel discussions featuring industry experts, academic researchers, and student organizations—make for a productive and inspiring week to make friends, learn, and network.
Tuesday, April 21, through Thursday, April 23. Find times and locations here.
Sow and Grow
Hosted by Student Health Services, this event is a stress-reliever for anyone about to face finals panic. It’s designed to get rid of those worries by writing down your negative thoughts on seed paper, shredding them, and planting them so they can grow into flowers.
Friday, April 24, 10 am to noon, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Alumni Medical Library, 72 East Concord St; Tuesday, April 28, 11 am to noon, GSU, 775 Commonwealth Ave; Wednesday, April 29, 1 to 2 pm, Mugar Memorial Library, 771 Commonwealth Ave.
Esplanade Cleanup
Head over to the Charles River for the annual Esplanade cleanup, hosted by BU Alumni Relations and Student Wellbeing and the Esplanade Association. Preserve this historic landmark with fellow BU students, faculty, staff, and alumni to remove waste and connect with the BU community. Tools will be provided by the Esplanade Association, so bring just a passion for volunteering. Register here.
Saturday, April 25, 10 am to noon. Gather along the Charles River Esplanade near Warren Towers and the Questrom School of Business.