{"id":1226,"date":"2024-01-29T00:00:06","date_gmt":"2024-01-29T05:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/sustainability\/?p=1226"},"modified":"2024-04-29T15:23:42","modified_gmt":"2024-04-29T19:23:42","slug":"15th-annual-campus-race-to-zero-waste-begins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/sustainability\/15th-annual-campus-race-to-zero-waste-begins\/","title":{"rendered":"15th annual Campus Race to Zero Waste begins"},"content":{"rendered":"

For more than 15 years, the University has participating in the annual nationwide competition known as\u00a0Campus Race to Zero Waste<\/a>. Taking place from January 28 through March 23, hundreds of colleges and universities across the country will be reporting their waste data and doing their best to get those numbers down. Here at the University,\u00a0Facilities Team Green\u00a0will be hosting several events throughout February and March to encourage students to be more sustainable and keep waste reduction on their minds.<\/p>\n

Formerly known as RecycleMania, the competition\u00a0changed its name<\/a>\u00a0to Campus Race to Zero Waste in 2020. \u201cWhile recycling diverts waste from going to landfills, the name change puts the focus on where it should be, with source reduction and elimination first,\u201d Amy Kadrie, sustainability manager at University Facilities and Services, shared.<\/p>\n

How the competition works<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Throughout the eight weeks of the competition, weights of the University\u2019s recycling waste, organics waste, and trash will be reported and compared to other colleges and universities. There are\u00a0four main categories<\/a>\u00a0that schools can win awards in: diversion, per capita recycling, food organics, and zero waste. To help even out the competition, schools are divided by size.<\/p>\n

Last year, out of those categories the University ranked among the best\u00a0in the Per Capita division, placing 24 out of 107 schools, collecting 15 pounds per person.<\/p>\n

Phil Piedmont, the new waste minimization specialist in University Facilities and Services, will be in charge of reporting our waste data for the first time this year, working with Waste Management to collect estimates and actual tonnages. \u201cIt will be interesting to see if the student events which promote sustainability have a campus wide impact on waste and recycling tonnages,\u201d Piedmont noted.<\/p>\n

On-campus event details<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Facilities Team Green is hosting three main events to accompany the Campus Race to Zero Waste campaign and encourage students to practice sustainability and waste reduction in their daily lives.<\/p>\n

The first event is the kick-off to the campaign on Thursday, February 1, from 4:30 \u2013 7:30 p.m. in Hirst Lounge of Wilson Commons. This event is in partnership with\u00a0Grassroots<\/a>, the undergraduate environmental action organization, who will be hosting their monthly clothing exchange. Sustainability through Engineering, Dining Team Green, Food Recovery Network, Society for Earth and Environmental Science Students, EcoReps, Greenspace, and Students for a Democratic Society will all be tabling as well. Stop by to learn more about these groups and their missions as well as contribute to our expression wall poster that will be hung outside the Starbucks hallway.<\/p>\n

A few weeks later is a \u201cLove the Earth\u201d photo booth held in the spirit of Valentine\u2019s Day, on Thursday, February 15, from 4:00 \u2013 6:00 p.m., also in Hirst Lounge. Come use fun props to express why you love the Earth and get a mini-Polaroid \u00a0to keep as memorabilia along with other giveaways items<\/p>\n

One new event this year is a recycled origami study break on Thursday, March 7, from 4:00 \u2013 6:00 p.m. in iZone. This event was created by Sustainability Programs Coordinator, Alyssa Horng, who said she was inspired by her own love for arts and crafts as well as the success of the reusable mug decorating event held with Dining Team Green this past December.<\/p>\n

Check\u00a0The Green Dandelion\u00a0for full list of events, ÌÇÐÄlogo and a downloadable version of the event poster. Be sure to also follow us on Instagram\u00a0@ursustainable<\/a>\u00a0for any ÌÇÐÄlogo about these events and to participate in our Instagram giveaway at the end of March in partnership with Wilson Commons Student Activities.<\/p>\n

There are several other sustainability related events happening throughout Campus Race to Zero Waste. These include:<\/p>\n