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Sustainability Newsletter

October 2022

It’s Campus Sustainability Month!

Campus Sustainability Month Kicks Off

Each October, the UTD Office of Sustainability, along with colleges and universities around the world, celebrate AASHE Campus Sustainability Month. Campus Sustainability Month is a month of sustainability events focused on action for and celebration of the Earth. Get involved by viewing our list of events on the Comet Calendar and get updates all month long from our Instagram.

Climate Action Simulation for Students

The RCE North Texas Youth Network, in collaboration with UT Dallas, UT Arlington, and Dallas College, is hosting an En-ROADS Climate Action Simulation. At this event, you can be a part of a simulation of nations deciding how to address the global climate crisis. This event is open to all students in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Registration is required, so save your spot today!

Recycle Your Halloween Candy Wrappers in October and November

Sweet tooths, gather round. This month and next, the Office of Sustainability is accepting candy wrappers as a specialty recycling stream. Once collected, the wrappers are shipped to a company that is able to separate the various components of each wrapper. You can drop off wrappers during normal business hours at the Office of Sustainability office at CM2 in the Facilities Management complex.

Faculty Sustainability Research Showcased

On Friday, September 23^rd, UT Dallas faculty gathered for the second-ever Workshop on Sustainability in Research. Faculty members gave 5-minute, one-slide “lightning talks” about their sustainability research in every topic from the fluid mechanics of wind turbines to sustainability in the supply chain. Afterwards, the researchers brainstormed with each other to find opportunities for research collaborations.

The Greenhouse

Updates to the UT Dallas Eco Rep Blog

Uncovering the Wonder of Worms

Worm enthusiast Carolina educates us about the thrilling world of worms.

Head to the Greenhouse! >

Buying a Bike for Transportation

Want a bike for transport but not sure where to start? Ian has you covered.

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A Basic Guide to Fall & Winter Gardening in North Texas

Calling all experienced and aspiring gardeners! Anna gives her hot take on cold weather gardening in North Texas.

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Exploitation In Your Closet?

Trendy clothes for cheap? It sounds too good to be true, and it is. Gwen introduces us to fast fashion and its environmental and social harms.

Head to the Greenhouse! >

Sustainability Service Honors Highlight

Each month, we highlight Comets who give back to their communities through service. You can register for Sustainability Service Honors to be recognized for your service on the Sustainability website.

Volunteer of the Month: Kevin Patterson (he/him/his)

Degree Program: B.A. Political Science, Minor in Latin American Studies

Graduation Date: Fall 2022

Why he volunteers: I volunteer by helping elect climate champions into all levels of office, and through other mutual aid work in North Texas. I help lead electorally with Sunrise Movement Dallas to educate voters on these issues and who to vote for instead. Outside of volunteering politically, one great place I like to spend my Saturday mornings is with The Oak Cliff Veggie Project, where they tackle the issue of food deserts in Dallas by helping provide fresh produce to residents. There is also community gardening and much more!

Favorite volunteering experience: I would say this was an event with The Oak Cliff Veggie Project partnered with For Oak Cliff for their Back to School Bash. At this event, we handed out fresh produce, school supplies, and much more. In the process, I got to meet great new people that I still volunteer with. Also, at the time, this was one of my first volunteering with mutual aid work to help fellow community members directly.