Campus Race to Zero Waste 2025
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Campus Race to Zero Waste (formerly Recyclemania) is an 8-week waste reduction and diversion competition that happened February 3–March 31, 2025 between colleges and universities across North America. Campuses competed to see how well they are doing in their zero waste efforts and gauge how they compare against other institutions.
Events
When: February 19th, and March 19th, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Bellarmine Turnaround
Description: THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY RECYCLING DAY IS BACK, AND BETTER THAN EVER. Join us for two community recycling days.
Have too much "stuff"? Get your spring cleaning done early and bring in your dorm, home, or office items to SU for FREE recycling and donation!
Items Accepted:
- Batteries: Single charge, multi-charge lithium and metal hydride, lead acid, alkaline
- Books: Books of all kinds, in any condition
- Confidential Papers/Documents: Bring in paper bags or boxes- no plastic bags. Will be placed in secure containers for shredding.
- Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
- Electronics: Computers/laptops, computer and server equipment, cell phones, TV’s, stereos, VHS/DVD players, etc.
- Electronic Accessories: Power cords, cables, keyboards, mice, CD’s, DVDs, hard disks, chargers, etc. (Hard drives & storage devices will be wiped through a secure data destruction program.)
- Garments/Clothes: All clothes, uniforms, shoes
- Machinery & Metal: All types of metals, lawn equipment, bikes, etc.
- Office Supplies: Binders, pens, pencils, paper, etc.
- Plastic Grocery Bags: Clean, dry bags stuffed into 1 bag & tied off
- Styrofoam Blocks, Peanuts, and Other Packaging Materials
- Printer Toner Cartridges: All colors, shapes and sizes
Items not accepted:
NO CHEMICALS, HAZARDOUS WASTE, MATTRESSES, OR FURNITURE
When: February 20 and 21, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Student Center, 2nd Floor – tabling at Cherry Street
Description: WHERE DOES MY WASTE GO? Are batteries recyclable? Pizza boxes compostable? And should Styrofoam go to the trash bin? How to properly sort your waste? Stop by the “Waste Disposal Education” table at Cherry Street. We will “demystify” your waste questions.
When: March 1st-31st
Where: Residence halls and STCN
Description: Do you have old or broken electronics that you no longer use? Donate them to our E-waste donations bin near the resident halls and student center. Our team of professionals will properly dispose of e-waste for you, keeping hazardous material out of our landfills, and oceans.
When: March 12th, All day
Where: Residence halls and STCN
Description: Do you have textbooks that you no longer use? Donate them to a book donation bin near the resident halls and student center. Books collected will be donated to Better World Books.
Competition Categories
Seattle University participated in the following categories:
- Diversion = Recyclables, Food Organics, and Trash weights reported
- Per Capita = Combined amount of paper, cardboard and bottles and cans on a per person basis
- Food Organics = Food waste and any organic materials handled alongside food waste reported. Organics generated in office and campus residential settings and special events can be included in addition to what is collected from dining facilities
- Electronics = Total amount of electronics donated and recycled during a one-month period