Prizes     Challenge     Calendar     Resources    F.A.Q.

March 12th-18th

Could you go zero waste  for a week?

Join the campuswide  zero waste challenge week to learn about the waste crisis and get practical help to move towards zero waste personally and systemically. 

  • Learn how to reduce waste
  • Win prizes from local businesses
  • Join optional webinars, presentations, and workshops

 

💞Become a Sponsor

Sign Up to Enter

Giveaway

Sign Up for the Challenge

Get an entry for signing up to go zero waste for the week!

Email a Friend

+2 Entries  when you click here to email a friend an invite to the challenge.

Share on Facebook or Instagram

+3 Entries when you share a post about the challenge and tag Live Zero Waste!

Fill Out the Challenge Survey

+5 Entries when you fill out the challenge survey.

→ Link to survey

Getting Started

The Challenge

Do your best to produce no trash or recycling for the week. Any waste you do create you’ll collect to review at the end of the week!

Rules

Try your best to create as little trash and recycling as possible during the challenge and collect any waste you accidentally create.

What counts as waste? Anything new thing you acquire during the week including wrappers, bags, containers, receipts, even food scraps if you don’t have access to a compost. 

 Why collect the waste?

At the end of the week you’ll have a trash audit, and you’ll be able to see very clearly what kinds of waste you personally tend to create. That is half the battle! After this week you’ll be perfectly equipped to reduce the waste you’re still generating.

Exceptions

Toilet paper: Unless you’re able to install a bidet, try to buy TP in paper wrapping rather than plastic. We recommend Who Gives A Crap 100% recycled.

Work associated waste: Any waste you produce as part of your job doesn’t count for the purposes of this challenge.

Medicine: Continue taking any medication you need to feel your best, and don’t worry about the trash.

What if it’s too hard?

Going zero waste is going to be a little hard, because most of our systems are built for disposability! But not to worry, there is no “failing” even if all you do is collect a week’s worth of trash and recycling you’ll have learned so much and be totally ready to make more sustainable choices going forward.

The Zero Waste Week was a great way to get a different view of my daily habits. There are lots of choices we make everyday that impact the amount of waste we produce and many of these choices go unnoticed. Zero Waste Week gave me a chance to reevaluate these choices.
Caleb
Ann Arbor
☆☆☆☆☆
The Zero Waste Week was a great way to get a different view of my daily habits. There are lots of choices we make everyday that impact the amount of waste we produce and many of these choices go unnoticed. Zero Waste Week gave me a chance to reevaluate these choices.
Caleb
Caleb
Ann Arbor
Although the name sounds scary, the amount of participation is totally up to you. Even if you are not ready for "zero" waste, you will get a number of great ideas and resources that will make you think and likely become excited about using less waste.
Sanne
Ann Arbor
☆☆☆☆☆
Although the name sounds scary, the amount of participation is totally up to you. Even if you are not ready for "zero" waste, you will get a number of great ideas and resources that will make you think and likely become excited about using less waste.
Sanne
Sanne
Ann Arbor
Zero Waste week was surprisingly easy. It made me aware of my waste habits and of the alternatives available that can help me manage and reduce my waste. It was empowering.
Jean
Ann Arbor
☆☆☆☆☆
Zero Waste week was surprisingly easy. It made me aware of my waste habits and of the alternatives available that can help me manage and reduce my waste. It was empowering.
Jean
Jean
Ann Arbor
You will feel totally inspired and empowered after you attend a zero waste week.  It’s very educational, with helpful recommendations on how to help our planet Earth.
Rosemary
Ann Arbor
☆☆☆☆☆
You will feel totally inspired and empowered after you attend a zero waste week.  It’s very educational, with helpful recommendations on how to help our planet Earth.
Rosemary
Rosemary
Ann Arbor
I would encourage them to attend because it creates mindfulness of our purchases, their importance, their origin and their path of intended use including the packaging they come in if any.  The presentations invite participants to learn about waste, to consider their own relationship to it and to ...
Read More
Jeannine
Ann Arbor
☆☆☆☆☆
I would encourage them to attend because it creates mindfulness of our purchases, their importance, their origin and their path of intended use including the packaging they come in if any.  The presentations invite participants to learn about waste, to consider their own relationship to it and to consider how they might make some shifts away from the use of products that come with waste.
Jeannine
Jeannine
Ann Arbor
I feel smarter about an issue I care about, more aware of what I can do that will make a difference and more connected with the people and places in my community that will support my progress toward a zero waste lifestyle.
Teresa
Ann Arbor
☆☆☆☆☆
I feel smarter about an issue I care about, more aware of what I can do that will make a difference and more connected with the people and places in my community that will support my progress toward a zero waste lifestyle.
Teresa
Teresa
Ann Arbor

Zero Waste

Challenge Calendar

Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

This Week

Week of Events

Ann ARbor

Resources

Zero Waste Map

Check out our interactive map of Ann Arbor for places you can shop zero waste.

View Map

Meal Plan

Full menu plan for your zero waste week!

See Meal Plan

Facebook Group

Connect with your neighbors and Ann Arbor zero waste experts.

Join Group

Getting Help

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I put food waste if I don't have a compost?

We recommend freezing your food scraps or keeping them in a tightly sealed container.

What about stuff I bought before the challenge?

We generally say to use up perishables and keep the waste, and anything you got before that you can go without, do so!

Why no recycling?

Our focus with this challenge is what is happening “upstream” of your stuff to get it to you. Unfortunately recycling still has to be produced so for this week we’re going to try to reduce reuse and rot, rather than recycle.

What if I'm too busy to cook?

Check out our interactive map and find a restaurant that does zero waste take out!

Where can I shop zero waste?

Our Zero Waste City Guide for Ann Arbor is the best place to find alternatives (or suppliments) to your normal shopping routine.

What about my pet?

While pet waste is important to consider, you don’t need to keep your pet related waste for this week. But do use this as your sign to work towards having a zero waste pet!

What if my partner doesn't want to do it?

That’s ok! Do the best you can, and you might be surprised what they pick up after the week.

Ask a different question:

Support Zero Waste in Ann Arbor

 

Your generous donations helps Live Zero Waste to maintain the city guide and support the circular economy in Ann Arbor.  Our projects include Zero Waste Challenges, grassroots organizing, and the returnable container program. We’re proud to be a 501(c)3 nonprofit certified by GuideStar.