Campus Race to Zero Waste 2023

What is Campus Race to Zero Waste?

Campus Race to Zero Waste (formerly Recyclemania) is an 8-week recycling competition happening January 29th through March 25th between colleges and universities across North America. Colleges and Universities compete to see how well they are doing in their waste reduction efforts and gauge how they compare to other institutions! 

We will post our weekly ranking on this page, so STAY TUNED for competition updates!

Table for CR2ZW 2023 Week 4 Results

2023 Competition Details: GET INVOLVED and BE THE CHANGE!

Competition categories SU will participate in this year:

  • 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 1-month period

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

Campus Race to Zero Waste Competition Kick Off!

When: January 30th - February 3rd
Where: C-Street Market
Description: Learn about the CR2ZW Competition, SU’s recycling programs, our zero waste goals and more!

Recycling Stream Waste Audit

When: Wednesday, March 1st, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST
Where: Library Plaza
Description: Come watch SU’s recycling team audit our recycling stream and see how much recyclable material SU generates in 1 day.

10th Annual Community Recycling Day

When: Wednesday, March 8th, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST
Where: Bellarmine Turn-around (between Bellarmine Hall and Sullivan Hall)
Description: THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY RECYCLING DAY IS BACK… after some years on “pause” due to COVID. Have too much "stuff" at home? Get your spring cleaning done early and bring in your dorm, home, or office recyclables to SU’s Community Recycling Day for FREE recycling and donation! For a full list of accepted items, see here. Volunteers will help unload heavy items.

Thank you for your support in making our campus SUstainable!

Visit the official Campus Race to Zero Waste website at https://campusracetozerowaste.org/.

Questions about SU’s Recycling Department and the programs we offer? Email Nathan Wolk or visit https://www.seattleu.edu/cejs/campus-sustainability/compost--recycling/  

SU's 2023 Competition Goals

  • Rank within the top 5 schools in the diversion category. Last Year we placed 9th in the diversion category and had a 63.3% diversion rating.
  • Rank within the top 10 schools for special e-waste category.

Did you know...? 

  • That it is SU's goal to become zero waste certified!
  • That 50% of our trash is actually compostable!
  • That all of SU's pre-consumers food waste is composted on campus and reused on our grounds!

Laudato Si' Action Platform

Graphic for Laudato Si' Action Platform Goal 1. There is a green circle with white illustration and white text reading Graphic for Laudato Si' Action Platform Goal 2. There is an orange circle with white illustration and white text reading

Laudato Si' Action Platform Goal 3. There is a purple circle with white illustration and white text reading Graphic for Laudato Si' Action Platform Goal 4. There is a yellow circle with white illustration and white text reading

SeattleU's Waste Signage

Spread the word: use the following media kit materials and hang them around in your office, SU kitchen, dorms, bulletin boards... and send on to everyone you know: