Campus Race to Zero Waste Begins January 29

Written by Campus Sustainability Manager Jen Lamy and reposted from a version on People @ Emerson. This story was updated to include more ways for the campus to participate.

From January 29 to March 25, Emerson will be participating in the Campus Race to Zero Waste (CRZW), an eight-week waste-reduction competition between colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. Formerly known as RecycleMania, the competition features several categories and Emerson is participating in the waste diversion competition. 

Our goal is to divert as much of our waste from the trash stream as possible. Currently, we recycle and compost about 20 percent of our waste. Our goal for the competition is to hit a 30 percent diversion rate.

Each week, we will submit our weights of trash, recycling, and compost to the CRZW team. We will then receive a scorecard showing where we stand among our peers. You’ll be able to view the updated scorecard on the Sustainable Emerson blog and on Instagram and Facebook. 

What can you do to contribute to this College-wide effort? 

• Sign the pledge to recycle and compost. All signatories will be automatically entered into weekly raffles throughout the competition!
• Check the scoreboard every week online on the Emerson Sustainability blog, Instagram, and Facebook pages or in-person on easels placed around campus. 
• Participate in the residence hall recycling challenge (February 6-10)
• Participate in the office recycling challenge (February 13-17)
• Join a field trip to Waste Management’s recycling facility in Billerica (details TBD, likely February 17)
• Participate in Weigh the Waste during dinner in the dining hall
• Enter the Upcycled Art Competition (date and details TBD)  
• Bring your unused office supplies to our spring Clean Out Your Office Day (March 22) 

To get the entire campus community excited about and involved in this effort, Campus Services is holding several events and mini-competitions throughout the next two months. 

Visit the CRZW page for more information and to on the Sustainable Emerson blog to stay up to date throughout the competition. 

Jen Lamy (Sustainability)