Earth Month 2025 has arrived at BGSU to educate students on the importance of sustainability. 

The Office of Campus Sustainability has been working to make BGSU a sustainable campus through numerous initiatives and keeping in mind its three main goals: a reduction of emissions, waste reduction and resource conservation, and education, awareness and outreach. 

According to Zachary Hayes, BGSU’s Sustainability Coordinator, actions such as purchasing electricity that is derived from 40% renewable resources, increasing energy efficiency in campus buildings, offering recycling and pre-consumer composting at all dining hall locations, diverting waste from the landfill during move out by donating to charities and the campus community, etc., keep BGSU moving toward becoming a sustainable campus.

“I think everyone should be aware of sustainability because we all rely on the environment to provide the things that we need to survive. Sustainability in the sense of having a livable planet is really important… What we do every day and the choices we make, every little bit adds up,” said Hayes.

People can practice sustainability in a variety of ways, including using reusable water bottles and other items like shopping bags, donating unwanted items, buying second-hand, reducing the number of unnecessary purchases, walking or biking instead of driving, and recycling.

“The number one thing is knowing what you can and can’t recycle,” said Hayes.

BGSU accepts most typically recyclable items as long as they are empty, clean and not in a bag. Plastic bags should not go in general recycling, however, many grocery stores accept them, and there is a drop-off in the BTSU, outside of Falcon Outfitters. 

Pizza boxes are also recyclable as long as they do not contain food, but cups are recyclable, lids, straws and utensils are not.

“A good rule of thumb is if the top and the bottom don’t match, you throw away the lid but recycle the cup,” said Hayes.

During the annual Campus Race to Zero Race, an 8-week competition in waste reduction between colleges across North America, BGSU also does a recycling competition between residence halls. In 2025, Offenhauer won with 9.1 pounds of recycling per person, with Falcon Heights coming in second with 8 pounds and McDonald Hall finishing third with 6.6 pounds.

According to Hayes, BGSU has also reduced its carbon emissions by 53% from 2008 to 2023, keeping them on track with BGSU’s Climate Action Plan – the long-term plan of becoming a carbon-neutral campus by 2040.

To promote BGSU’s sustainability efforts, the Office of Campus Sustainability is hosting multiple upcoming events.

“Education is how we spread the message of sustainability. It’s through a lot of service projects and educational events, which is essentially what we are doing all Earth Month long,” said Hayes.

Beginning on Monday, April 14, the WYMO (“When You Move Out, Don’t Throw It Out”) event will be open for students to donate clothing, non-perishable food and anything else reusable they might not want to bring back home. Boxes will be in all residence halls, Greek townhouses, the Union lobby and market locations until Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m..

There will also be tree planting events where students can help plant native Ohio trees in various locations. This event will be on April 23 and 24 at 1 p.m.. For more details about locations and registration, visit BGSUserves.

The Friday Night Lights event is an opportunity for students to reduce energy usage on campus by turning off lights in buildings. This event is on April 18 and 25, beginning at 6:30 p.m. outside the entry doors of the Union Theater. Registration is required.

“Earth Month is an overall celebration of what we have and an appreciation for the things that we’re trying to do and the things that we need to do to ensure that we have a future that is bright for generations to come,” said Hayes.

For more information on campus sustainability, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, visit the Campus Sustainability website.