October is recognized as Campus Sustainability Month and as a way to celebrate, the Office of Sustainability has curated special events that highlight the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability. 

Explore this page to learn more about our special campus events & community events, sustainability initiatives in campus dining, and how you can take part in our month-long sustainability challenge by committing to a new eco-friendly habit for the month.

aerial photo of the san marcos river

Join the Challenge

For Campus Sustainability Month, choose one planet friendly habit to practice all month long. Small changes, especially when our Bobcat community takes them on together, can make a meaningful difference.

Challenge Ideas

Pick one challenge, stick with it through October, and help show how Bobcats can create a more sustainable TXST, one habit at a time.

Share your month-long challenge on social media with us! We want to see your individual sustainability efforts & celebrate your commitment! @txstsustain  

  • Attend a Campus Sustainability Month Event
  • Carpool, bike, walk, or take public transit to campus or work at least once a week.
  • Eat a plant-based meal at least once a week.
  • Shop at a local market, restaurant, or business.
  • Plant native Texas species in your yard, balcony garden, or community space.
  • Keep showers to 10 minutes or less.
  • Bring a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, or food container instead of using single-use items.
  • Skip single-use plastic bags by bringing reusable shopping bags.
  • Recycle correctly and take a moment to check what belongs in the bin.
  • Choose secondhand first when shopping for clothes, décor, or school supplies.
  • Turn off lights, unplug unused chargers, and power down electronics when not in use.
  • Wash laundry in cold water and wait until you have a full load.
  • Pack a waste-free lunch or snack using reusable containers.
  • Spend time outdoors and learn about a native plant, pollinator, or wildlife species on campus.
  • Share your sustainable habit with a friend and invite them to take the challenge too.

Office of Sustainability Events

Wednesday Sept 30th
people looking down at an outdoor booth

Fall into Sustainability Fair

Campus Sustainability Month Launch

We’re so excited for Campus Sustainability Month that we’re kicking things off a day early!

Free giveaways and snacks!

Alkek Conference Room 4th Floor 1 PM - 4 PM

All Month Long!
people hiking on a trail

Exploring Campus

Explore our interactive campus sustainability map! Take a self-guided tour to discover green initiatives, eco-friendly features, and how our community is building a sustainable future.
Oct 12th - Oct 21st
people looking at clothing and holding up articles of clothing

Open Closet Clothing Drive

Don't discard - donate! Clean out your closet this Fall and donate unwanted items to the Open Closet Clothing Drive taking place 

Monday Oct 12th - Wednesday Oct 21st. 

Various campus donation locations
Monday Oct 12th
open closet promo flyer

Edwards Aquifer Education

Discover the Edwards Aquifer and learn simple ways to protect our water, on campus and beyond.

2:00 - 5:00 pm | The Quad

Free giveaways!

Tuesday Oct 13th
person wearing a blue shirt standing in the river holding up a container looking at water quality

Water Quality 101

Explore citizen science & water quality testing’s role in public health. 

First-year Bobcats can earn Bobcat Beginnings credit; first-year students receive registration priority.

Registration required

 
Wednesday Oct 14th
black tote bag reading "reduce refuse reuse recycle"

Let's Talk Trash!

Join Sustainability Intern, Ana Ramos, & Texas Disposal Systems on the Quad & learn about all things recycling and resource recovery! 

10:00 am - 12:00 pm | The Quad

Free giveaways!

Monday Oct 19th
open closet promo flyer

Outdoor Wellness

Recharge outdoors in San Marcos! Learn nature’s wellness benefits, grab a trail checklist, get Texas safety tips, and discover outdoor student groups.

2:00 - 4:30 pm | LBJ Mall

Free giveaways!

Thursday Oct 22nd
stack of oranges

Solar Smoothies

Sip sustainably and enjoy smoothies powered by the sun! Join the Sustainability team & Schneider Electric for a solar power demonstration.

10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Round Rock Campus Quad

Free giveaways!

Saturday Oct 24th
txst hand sign

Homecoming Parade

Join the My TXST My Home crew at the end of the Homecoming Parade! Volunteers are needed to help keep the route clean and show Bobcat pride by leaving it better than we found it.
Saturday Oct 24th
boko the bobcat

Campus Race 2 Zero Waste

Show your Bobcat pride in the Campus Race to Zero Waste! Recycle at the tailgate and game to help make TXST nationally ranked for sustainability.

Tuesday Oct 27th
students looking through thrifted clothes

Open Closet Thrift Market

Refresh your wardrobe sustainably! Upcycle, trade, and exchange clothing while reducing textile waste. Bobcats can take home up to 5 free items, while supplies last.

10:00 am - 4:00 pm | LBJ Ballroom 

Sustainability in Dining

All Month long!
Newspapers on a table with a coffee mug featuring foam latte art

Sip Sustainably

Get a discount on your daily coffee when you use a reusable mug! 

Available at all 1899 Market locations on campus. 

all month long!
Someone holding a plastic clamshell container and placing salad into it with tongs

Reusable To-Go Containers

Grab a reusable container and return it to the dining hall to reduce waste generation from traditional to-go containers. 

See Harris and Commons Dining Halls for more information. 

Dates TBA
Students sitting in a dining hall at Texas State University

Weigh the Waste

Join TXST Hospitality and Office of Sustainability staff as they study what diners throw out on their plates. 

Community Sustainability Events

Saturday October 3rd
person holding litter

Fall River Clean Up

Join Keep San Marcos Beautiful’s clean up event! Help remove litter, beautify parks, and connect with neighbors to make San Marcos a cleaner, greener place for all. 

 
Sat-Sun. October 3rd & 4th
promo of event with text reading "Sacred Springs Powwow"

Sacred Springs Powwow

Sacred Springs Powwow is a two-day festival in San Marcos celebrating Native American culture, featuring traditional dance, drumming, art, food, and educational activities each October.
Saturday October 10th
plant

Monarch Fest & Fall Native Plant Sale

Central Texas is on a key migration path for birds and monarchs! Join us in San Marcos to learn, explore, play games, shop native plants, and discover how to support pollinators.
Weekly Every Friday
student looking down at a summer squash growing in the soil

Free Range Farmers Market

A traveling Hill Country Farmers Market answering the call for community.

Wake the Dead Coffee House | 1432 Ranch Road 12 

Recurring weekly on Friday
Weekly Saturdays & Sundays
student looking through jewelry at a vendor booth

San Marcos Flea Market

San Marcos' Flea Market will feature live music, local vendors, food trucks, & more! Very family-friendly and no admission or parking costs. 

1000 Prospect Street 

Recurring weekly on Saturday & Sunday
Weekly Saturdays & Sundays
student looking through jewelry at a vendor booth

Round Rock Markets

From vendor markets to farmers markets, there are many ways to go local in Round Rock, TX. Explore opportunities near you. 
Weekly Every Saturday
Box of Carrots

San Marcos Farmers Market

Located downtown San Marcos every Saturday from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, local farmers market homemade & homegrown goods

Celebrate. Connect. Create.

Campus Sustainability Month is your invitation to water the future. Every action becomes a ripple, from learning about sustainability’s powerful impact to joining events that help our campus and San Marcos community bloom.