Campus Race to Zero Waste 2022

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2022 Campus Race to Zero Waste Results

This year, Seattle University joined more than 200 campuses across the U.S. to take part in Campus Race to Zero Waste competition. We reduced our waste footprint through waste minimization, donating, composting, and recycling. All 200 campuses donated, composted, and recycled more than 27.9 million pounds of waste.

  • Overall, Seattle University placed 9th out of the top 16 universities.
  • Seattle University diverted 63.3% of it's waste.

Visit the National Wildlife Federation's press release here and learn more here!

What is Campus Race to Zero Waste?

Formerly known as Recyclemania, "CAMPUS RACE TO ZERO WASTE" (January 30-March 26, 2022), organized by the National Wildlife Federation, is an 8-week long competition between colleges across the U.S. and Canada to reduce waste and engage campus communities in waste minimization efforts. Each week colleges will track the amount of their institutions’ recycling, composting, and trash,and then be ranked in different categories based on how well and how much they minimize waste and divert from the landfill! Last year, SU took eight place nationally in the waste diversion category. We will post our weekly ranking on this page, so STAY TUNED for competition updates!

Table showing results for 2022 Campus Race to Zero Waste

2022 Competition Details: GET INVOLVED and BE THE CHANGE!

Small lifestyle changes not only reduce the waste you produce, but also encourage others to do the same! Here are some tangible ways to make a difference:

  • Check out these excellent tips on how to go zero waste during the COVID pandemic.
  • Find out "What Goes Where" and choose the right bin next time you need to throw stuff away.
  • Have any difficult-to-recycle items in your office (cell phones, toner cartridges, styrene foam,...): see here what to do with those.
  • Donate rather than throw away: Have any electronics, furniture, or other items in your office or dorms you want to get rid off? Consider donating to local non-profits.
  • Repair rather than replace: Instead of throwing out items after they break, have them repaired. Check out DIY tutorials on youtube or get them professionally repaired.
  • How much plastic do you consume? Here are 11 easy ways to reduce your plastic waste. Or use this tool by the Earth Day Network to calculate your personal plastic consumption, create your personal plastic plan, and track your progress.  

Thank you for your support in making our campus SUstainable!

Visit the Official Campus Race to Zero Waste website at https://recyclemania.org/

 

Zero Waste Trivia Night, Wednesday March 9th

SU's Competition Goals

  • Maintain SU's title in the medium Carnegie class at 1st place
  • Increase our national ranking from 8th to top 5
  • Increase diversion rate from 56% to 65%

Did you know? 

  • That SU has set a goal to divert 90% of its waste from the landfill by 2025?
  • That 50% of our trash on campus is actually compostable?
  • That all of SU's pre-consumers food waste is composted on campus and reused on our grounds?

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:

screenshot of infographic with info about zero waste tips

  

SU Zero-Waste Tips (COVID)

Click here to download SU's Compost, Recycling and Trash Signage

Make sure all recyclables are clean before you put them in the bin, if you are unsure if it is recyclable or not, just throw it out!

Click here to download SU's Recycling Tips

 

Click here to download SU's Plastic Film Recycling Guide

Click here to download SU's Recycling in the Office Guide

A graphic depicting how to dispose of k-cups

Click here to download SU's K-cup Waste Signage