October Events Celebrate Campus Sustainability Month
Sunflowers on the roof of the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design.
October is Campus Sustainability Month, an international celebration of sustainability on college and university campuses. Georgia Tech will host sustainability-focused events throughout the month. Multiple campus groups will host events showcasing their unique offerings which will provide a glimpse into the wide-ranging commitment to sustainability at Tech.
Event Lineup
USG Energy Summit
Wednesday, Oct. 1
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Room 1128
The University System of Georgia Campus Energy Resilience Group will host its fall 2025 meeting at Georgia Tech on Oct. 1, organized by the Georgia Tech Office of Sustainability and including informational and working sessions on utility master planning, solar energy procurement agreements, and more. Spaces are limited. Contact drew.cutright@gatech.edu for more information; preference will be given to attendees who can attend the majority of or entire day
Office Hours With a Sustainability Alum: Michael Mendoza
Wednesday, Oct. 1
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business, Scheller College of Business
Sign up for a 15-minute in-person “coffee” chat with Michael Mendoza, an operational and data leader and director of Energy Compliance at CodeGreen Solutions, and gain insights into:
- Applicability of Computer Science and Engineering in Sustainability
- What is Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)?
- Scuba Diving/Tennis – How to incorporate your hobbies into lifelong pursuits!
- Energy Sector – What is it, what are the current trends, and where is it going?
Spaces are limited, so sign up now and get your time to chat 1:1. Don’t miss this chance to hear from someone who’s been where you are! Register.
Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Insight Series
Speaker: Robert Knotts, Executive Director, Federal Relations, Office of Institute Relations
Thursday, Oct. 2
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Virtual only.
The Insight Series aims to aid Georgia Tech researchers in amplifying their impact in sustainability research. Fall events will feature speakers with experience engaging government agencies for partnerships and proposal development.
Hive Inspection
Thursday, Oct. 2
5 – 6 p.m.
Rooftop Garden, The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
Ever wonder what it's like to delve into a hive full of tens of thousands of bees? Well, look no further. Join the experienced student beekeepers who lead these hive inspections. You will learn about what to look for in a healthy hive, how to treat the hive for pests, bee biology, and more! No registration required; participants must sign a risk waiver. Learn more.
ElectrifyGT Organization Meeting
Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30
6 p.m.
Weber Building, Classroom 2
ElectrifyGT is a student-led sustainability consulting club and campaign focused on accelerating campus electrification at Georgia Tech. We develop economical electrification and decarbonization strategies by engaging key stakeholders, conducting research, and mobilizing student support to aid in a responsible transition. Our mission is grounded in the belief that electrification is the fastest and most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campus, while also delivering cost savings and public health benefits that are critical to Georgia Tech’s short- and long-term planning and the environment. Learn more.
SUSTAIN-X Hangout featuring Ramtin Motahar, founder of Joulea
Thursday, Oct. 2
6 – 7 p.m.
Weber Building, Classroom 2
At the first Hangout of the semester, hear Ramtin Motahar discuss his experience creating his startup company Joulea, an energy assessment platform that empowers building owners to maximize profitability and minimize carbon footprint. RSVP.
Community Garden Workday
Thursday, Oct. 2
6 – 8 p.m.
Students Organizing for Sustainability Community Garden
Come out and join us as we harvest, plant, and maintain plots in the garden! Everyone is welcome to join – no experience needed!
Make sure to dress appropriately, wear sunscreen, and bring water. Community garden workdays occur weekly throughout the year; check the Engage events portal for additional times.
Sustainable Buildings Operations Workshop
Wednesday, Oct. 8
9 – 11 a.m.
Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Room 1128
Hosted by the Office of Sustainability, join other building and operational staff to learn about opportunities for increasing sustainability in buildings, including energy and water efficiency strategies, and share your input on resources to support the building management community. This event will be most relevant to roles in building and facility management and operational building staff. Register.
SUSTAIN-X Hangout featuring Jasmine Burton, founder of Wish for Wash
Tuesday, Oct. 14
11 a.m. – noon
Mason Building, Room 2117
At the second Hangout of the semester, hear from Jasmine Burton about her experience creating her startup company. Wish for Wash is an inclusive innovation in the impact economy that helps address global water, sanitation, and hygiene problems via human-centered research, design, and education. Register.
Campus Sustainability Forum
Wednesday, Oct. 15
8:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dalney Building, Room 180
The Office of Sustainability invites you to join our annual Campus Sustainability Forum. The event brings staff together to provide input on strategies for advancing campus sustainability goals. The day will include a series of information and engagement sessions on sustainability topics–, including building energy, circular economy, zero waste, water management, biodiversity, and sustainable transportation.
This event is most relevant for operational and other staff members who help advance campus sustainability. Find more details and registration information here.
Student Innovation: Sustainability in Startups
Wednesday, Oct. 15
10 – 11 a.m.
Clough Lounge (211), Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons
This workshop explores how sustainability can be embedded into the core of entrepreneurial ventures—from product design and operations to business models and long-term strategy.
Designed for college students passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship, this session will cover:
- Principles of sustainable innovation
- Real-world examples of eco-conscious startups
- Tools for evaluating environmental and social impact
- Strategies for balancing profit with purpose
Whether you're launching a new idea or exploring how to make your venture more responsible, this workshop will help you think critically about building businesses that matter. RSVP.
Georgia Tech Birdwatchers General Meetings
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 22, 29
6:30 p.m.
Room 271, Skiles Building
Learn about a birding/conservation-related topic (citizen science tools, species identification, Tech's ongoing ornithological research) or host a fun bird-related activity (wingspan or decorating cookies). There's also always ample time to be social with your fellow birders! No prior birding experience required. Learn more.
ATL CleanTech Connect
Wednesday, Oct. 22
4 – 6 p.m.
In partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, these quarterly socials engage members of the Greater Atlanta clean tech community to support innovation, ideation, startups, and investment in clean tech and sustainability-focused businesses. Industry, venture capitalists, Georgia Tech faculty, and local leaders hold conversations related to clean tech regional opportunities. More information here.
Pathways: An Engine Ventures Workshop
Thursday, Oct. 23
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Scheller College of Business
SUSTAIN-X is partnering with The Engine Ventures to sponsor a one-day workshop for Georgia Tech founders working in groundbreaking tech (or “deep tech”) spaces. Learn more.
October Sustainability Network Meeting: Circular Economy
Tuesday, Oct. 28
11 a.m. – noon
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, Room 230
This month’s meeting features circular economy efforts on campus. Georgia Tech Sustainability Network meetings are open to all Georgia Tech students, faculty, staff, and alumni. RSVP.
October Monthly Bike Ride and Group Class
Wednesday, Oct. 29
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Meet behind the Campus Recreation Center
Get more comfortable traveling by bike with this instructional group ride! This in-person class is offered by Parking and Transportation Services in collaboration with Propel ATL and is designed specifically for members of the Georgia Tech community — that includes students, faculty, and staff! RSVP.
Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Insight Series
Speaker: Donald Kirkland, Director, State Relations, Office of Institute Relations
Thursday, Oct. 30
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Virtual only.
The Insight Series aims to aid Georgia Tech researchers in amplifying their impact in sustainability research. Fall events will feature speakers with experience engaging government agencies for partnerships and proposal development.
The Georgia Tech Campus Calendar and the Engage campus event portal receive updates daily. Check the calendar and Engage for the most up-to-date information on sustainability events in October and throughout the year.