June 5th-11th
Try Zero Waste for a Week!
Join the citywide zero waste challenge week to learn about the waste crisis and get practical help to move towards zero waste in your home or business.
- Learn how to reduce waste
- Win prizes from local businesses
- Join webinars and workshops
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.
Ypsilanti
Resources
Zero Waste Map
Check out our interactive map of Ypsi for places you can shop zero waste.
Meal Plan
Full menu plan for your zero waste week!
Zero Waste
Challenge Calendar
Week of Events
Zero Waste Challenge: Ann Arbor
Live Zero Waste is hosting a city-wide zero waste challenge the week of June 5th! The week is a chance to learn how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and […]
Bridge Community Cafe: Clothing Swap
SCRAP Creative Reuse Volunteering
SCRAP Creative Reuse Volunteering
Drop in and lend us a hand in making changes to our Education Studio! We'll have tasks for all skill levels! Check in with SCRAP staff and take a look […]
BYOC Co. Swap
BYOC Co. Swap
What can one swap? Gently-used, in-season clothing for all genders, all shapes, and all sizes. No undergarments or socks please! The Rules: Bring up to 15 items and take as […]
Zero Waste Challenge Orientation (Webinar)
Zero Waste Challenge Orientation (Webinar)
Learn the why and how to go zero waste for the challenge week! Watch the recording here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/tzvisI3Q7aih8Ar7GPGWbl7WBvFs-LUjXaotefvQaxcMDv8NXjsyzbkFq0gS4pyn.7AgDv4I2ZL6yYLI3
SCRAP Creative Reuse Volunteering
SCRAP Creative Reuse Volunteering
Drop in and lend us a hand in making changes to our Education Studio! We'll have tasks for all skill levels! Check in with SCRAP staff and take a look […]
Zero Waste Chef (Webinar)
Zero Waste Chef (Webinar)
Join us to learn how to radically reduce waste in your kitchen! Recording Available Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Or9-RSOV9MYDHTR0Tp-VBEIdIGa9xCt9T-8dVvbTX7jKOkQNZBxePcXu-60lQ-Un.wiHvPZfAEA81GHON
All Things Compost (Webinar)
All Things Compost (Webinar)
Join us to learn all about composting, its role in climate mitigation, and how to do it from Master Composter Nancy Stone! Recording here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/aBzz0GpN2Rznb1j3Cjlhh7k2JFTc8AKMscjUZUEtb05ZCnTpyVFD41QKj3lz1Ja-.iERkBipfPt61-VXO
Sewing Workshop (RSVP Required)
Sewing Workshop (RSVP Required)
Come sew (or learn to sew) veggie bags from scrap fabric to replace plastic bags at the farmer's market! No experience required. Held at 1422 W. Liberty St. Ann Arbor
BYOC Co. Swap
BYOC Co. Swap
What can one swap? Gently-used, in-season clothing for all genders, all shapes, and all sizes. No undergarments or socks please! The Rules: Bring up to 15 items and take as […]
Story of Plastic Screening & Discussion with Beyond Plastics and Fenceline Watch (Webinar)
Story of Plastic Screening & Discussion with Beyond Plastics and Fenceline Watch (Webinar)
Join us for the screening of an incredible documentary that shapes our work. We're very lucky to have guests from two incredible national organizations for a post screening discussion. Watch the recording here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/17apGHG3aHFileTR8EUfQlGAuro5HyXCoJ9uc_oi693kkZc7vQqpelUs0NZ2RcE0.fFLsmbzE4rjCr16j
BYOC Co. Swap
BYOC Co. Swap
What can one swap? Gently-used, in-season clothing for all genders, all shapes, and all sizes. No undergarments or socks please! The Rules: Bring up to 15 items and take as many as you'd like home for free! What happens to leftover clothes? We'll be inspecting clothing leftover to either be recycled at RAA or donated […]
All Hands Active Repair Day
All Hands Active Repair Day
A free service, open to the public. Donations are appreciated! Do you have stuff around the house that is broken, or has stopped working — electronics, furniture, toys, and more — but you’d hate to just throw away? Wobbly chair? Flickering lamp? Tape stuck in your VCR? Bring it in, and members and volunteers at […]
Business Roundtable (Webinar)
Business Roundtable (Webinar)
Join local businesses to discuss the barriers and opportunities to zero waste in the business community. This is always a fascinating session! Watch Recording Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yo02dKPUBK3_1PD_dPsDRriQydqWmWkc8cMLwOhBERQIQPkDtLqXPjx-EOFyRCrl.RrCFEgr1LYF48JkT
BYOC Co. Swap
BYOC Co. Swap
What can one swap? Gently-used, in-season clothing for all genders, all shapes, and all sizes. No undergarments or socks please! The Rules: Bring up to 15 items and take as many as you'd like home for free! What happens to leftover clothes? We'll be inspecting clothing leftover to either be recycled at RAA or donated […]
MakerWorks Fixit Friday
MakerWorks Fixit Friday
Bring your mask and well-worn items that could use a tune up, and we'll take a look at them! Or, make someone else's day by volunteering at Fix-It Friday and repairing their items. Fix-It Friday: Think of this as the last chance before you get rid of something; Free, but no Guarantee. We will: - […]
Sewing Workshop (RSVP Required)
Sewing Workshop (RSVP Required)
Come sew (or learn to sew) veggie bags from scrap fabric to replace plastic bags at stores and markets. No experience necessary! Held at the Rudolf Steiner Health Center 1422 W. Liberty St. Ann Arbor, MI
Mayor’s Green Fair (Live Zero Waste & SCRAP Creative)
Mayor’s Green Fair (Live Zero Waste & SCRAP Creative)
Bring a T-shirt to the fair to get screen printed with our zero waste designs! Kids activities provided by SCRAP 🙂
BYOC Co. Swap
BYOC Co. Swap
What can one swap? Gently-used, in-season clothing for all genders, all shapes, and all sizes. No undergarments or socks please! The Rules: Bring up to 15 items and take as many as you'd like home for free! What happens to leftover clothes? We'll be inspecting clothing leftover to either be recycled at RAA or donated […]
Compost and Living Soil Work Day and Skill Share
Compost and Living Soil Work Day and Skill Share
Kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other materials can be recycled into “black gold”, the gardener’s nickname for nutrient dense compost. Come visit the Growing Hope Urban Farm to learn about our composting system and systems you can build and maintain at home. If the weather is good, you can help us turn our piles to […]
Zero Waste Extravaganza
Zero Waste Extravaganza
✅ Bring Your Own T-shirt for Screen Printing! Come celebrate the end of Ann Arbor’s Zero Waste Challenge with an evening of interactive, waste-reducing fun and learning. Starting at 5:00pm, we’ll have interactive demos to show you how to reduce waste at home, learn about compost, hands on repair demos including a mobile bike repair […]
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:
Win prizes when you join the challenge!
Ways to enter:
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.