Campus Sustainability Week

Campus Sustainability Week

October 19-23, 2026

Campus Sustainability Week is an opportunity for Elon students, faculty and staff to come together to examine sustainable habits and inspire positive sustainable change throughout the Elon community. It is also an opportunity to learn about and celebrate Elon University’s current sustainable practices. A variety of events will take place throughout the week.

Campus Sustainability Week Competition

Attend as many events as you can for your chance to win! First, second and third place winners will be determined by those who attend the most events throughout the week. There will be one set of student winners and another set of faculty/staff winners

PRIZES

First Place: $25 Phoenix Cash, hammock, sustainability prize pack (beeswax wrap, t-shirt, water bottle, utensil kit, straw, reusable bag)
Second Place: hammock, sustainability prize pack
Third Place: hammock

Schedule of Events

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19

4:00-6:00 PM | Pop Up Swap Shop (Downstairs Moseley)
Bring your gently used clothing to swap for something new-to-you. No clothing to bring? No problem! You can commit to a sustainable habit to earn free clothing. The Pop Up Swap Shop runs in downstairs Moseley every Monday (4-6pm), Thursday (5-6 pm) and Friday (4-6 pm) during the Fall 2026 semester.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20

9:40-10:20 AM | Scrappy Sips at College Coffee (Phi Beta Kappa Plaza)
Celebrate Campus Sustainability Week with a sweet twist on food waste! Stop by the Office of Sustainability’s table at College Coffee to enjoy scrappy-apple syrup and spice up your coffee or tea while exploring how food scraps can be repurposed!

7:00-8:00 PM | Campus Sustainability Week Keynote: A Stronger, Safer, More Resilient North Carolina with Kathie Dello (McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center)
North Carolina is preparing for a future shaped by stronger storms, increased flooding, extreme heat, and other natural hazards. Drawing on her experience as both North Carolina’s former State Climatologist and her current role as the Assistant Secretary for Resilience at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Kathie Dello will explain how resilience moves beyond disaster response to reduce risk before disasters occur, especially in the wake of the three damaging hurricanes that hit North Carolina in less than a decade. She will highlight the state’s resilience work through the Flood Resiliency Blueprint, and community-based programs that help local governments identify vulnerabilities and invest in long-term solutions. She will also discuss how partnerships with universities and local leaders contribute to stronger, safer communities across North Carolina.

This event is free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21

12:00-2:00 PM | Fall Faves: Recipes to Reduce Food Waste (McEwen Dining Hall)
Join Elon Dining and the Office of Sustainability to learn how to turn food scraps into cozy autumn treats! Learn what produce is in season right now in NC, and how buying in season is better for the environment and yourself!

2:00-4:00 PM | Scraps to Simmer Pots: A Second Life for Fall Food Waste! (Medallion Plaza)
Learn how to use the whole pumpkin and discover creative ways to reduce fall food waste! Make your own autumnal simmer pot packet using dehydrated fall food scraps to take home and fill your space with a cozy fall scent.

4:00-6:00 PM | The Sustainable Home Lab (Mill Point Commons)
The Sustainable Home Lab is a hands-on workshop where students can create their
own DIY household cleaning and laundry products while exploring practical ways to reduce
waste and make more sustainable choices at home.

9:00-10:00 PM | S’mores with Outdoors (Beck Pool Patio)
Join Elon Outdoors and the Eco-Reps for a special Campus Sustainability Week S’mores with Outdoors!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22

4:30-6:30 PM | Season of Shadows and Light: A Samhain Celebration (McBride Gathering Space)
Samhain marks the close of the harvest season and the transition into winter, the darker half of the year. Rooted in Celtic and Gaelic traditions, Samhain is widely observed across contemporary earth-based practices as a time when the boundary between the living and the spirit world is understood to be especially thin. It offers an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, release of old habits and attachments, and honoring ancestors and the unseen.  All are welcome.

Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

5:00-6:00 PM | Pop Up Swap Shop (Downstairs Moseley)
Bring your gently used clothing to swap for something new-to-you. No clothing to bring? No problem! You can commit to a sustainable habit to earn free clothing. The Pop Up Swap Shop runs in downstairs Moseley every Monday (4-6pm), Thursday (5-6 pm) and Friday (4-6 pm) during the Fall 2026 semester.

10:00 PM-12:00 AM | Paint 1010 with SUB (Winter Garden)
Join SUB and Eco-Reps at paint 1010 to have a chill night of painting your own tote bag! Bring a friend, a snack and even come in your pjs if you want! We supply all materials needed.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23

12:00-1:00 PM | Fall into Waste Reduction: Upcycling Jars (Medallion Plaza)
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. This hierarchy helps us understand the best ways to reduce waste. Join us to upcycle jars and scraps into beautiful fall decorations to keep these items out of the landfill!

4:00-6:00 PM | Danieley Fall Fest (Daniel Commons Patio)
Stop by Eco-Rep Maeve’s table at Danieley Fall Fest to learn how to make your own sustainable cleaning spray and learn about environmentally-friendly practices for your own home!

4:00-6:00 PM | Pop Up Swap Shop (Downstairs Moseley)
Bring your gently used clothing to swap for something new-to-you. No clothing to bring? No problem! You can commit to a sustainable habit to earn free clothing. We’re here to encourage pursuing hobbies sustainably! Donate in exchange for clothes OR recycled yarn from our Autumn Swap Shop!

The Pop Up Swap Shop runs in downstairs Moseley every Monday (4-6pm), Thursday (5-6 pm) and Friday (4-6 pm) during the Fall 2026 semester.

5:00-6:00 PM | Yoga in Nature (Young Commons)
Take a break from the busy week to step outside, relax, and reset with Yoga Club and the Office of Sustainability. We’ll do a rejuvenating yoga flow and learn about the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outside. Yoga mats provided.