Campus Race to Zero Waste

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Race to Zero Wate 2025 2.0

WELCOME TO RACE TO ZERO WASTE (Feb 3-Mar 31)

What is Campus Race to Zero Waste?

Campus Race to Zero Waste (formerly Recyclemania) is an 8-week waste reduction and diversion competition happening February 3–March 31, 2025 between colleges and universities across North America. Campuses compete to see how well they are doing in their zero waste efforts and gauge how they compare against other institutions.

We will post our weekly ranking on this page, so STAY TUNED for competition updates!

GET INVOLVED and BE THE CHANGE!

Upcoming Events & Important Dates:

When: February 19th, and March 19th, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Bellarmine Turnaround

Description: THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY RECYCLING DAY IS BACK, AND BETTER THAN EVER. Join us in celebrating two community recycling days.

Have too much "stuff" at home? Get your spring cleaning done early and bring in your dorm, home, or office recyclables to SU’s Community Recycling Days for FREE recycling and donation! Sign up to volunteer here. View and download the event flyer here.

When: February 21 and 22, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Student Center, 2nd Floor

Description: Interested in how to properly sort your waste? Join us in educating the campus community and bringing awareness to proper waste disposal. We will discuss the disposal stream accepted in King County/Seattle (and special streams at SU), where they need to be discarded, and answer any lingering questions of what goes where. Sign up to volunteer here.

When: March 1st-31st
Where: Residence halls and STCN

Description: Do you have old or broken electronics that you no longer use? Donate them to our E-waste donations bin near the resident halls and student center. Our team of professionals will properly dispose of e-waste for you, keeping hazardous material out of our landfills, and oceans. 

When: March 12th, All day
Where: Residence halls and STCN

Description: Do you have textbooks that you no longer use? Donate them to a book donation bin near the resident halls and student center. Books collected will be donated to Better World Books. View and download flyer here.

Thank you for your support in making our campus SUstainable!

Visit the official Campus Race to Zero Waste website at http://campusracetozerowaste.org/.

Questions about SU’s Recycling Department and the programs we offer? Email Nathan Wolk or visit the Compost and Recycling page.  

SU's 2025 Competition Goals

1. Engage the SU campus community in zero-waste activities and events while raising awareness about the daily actions we each can take to minimize waste on campus, at home, and in our community. 

 2. Rank within the top 3 schools in the diversion category throughout the competition. Last year, Seattle University placed 2nd in the diversion category, effectively diverting 62.67% of waste.

3. Rank within the top 10 schools for the e-waste special category.

4. To divert more materials from the landfill. Last year we diverted over 65 tons of material throughout the 8-week competition.

  • That it is SU's goal to become a Zero Waste campus!
  • That 50% of SU's trash is actually compostable!
  • That all of SU's pre-consumers food waste is composted on campus and reused on our grounds!

2025 Competition Details: 

Competition categories SU will participate in this year:

  • Diversion = Recyclables, Food Organics, and Trash weights reported
  • Per Capita = Combined amount of paper, cardboard and bottles and cans on a per person basis
  • Food Organics = Food waste and any organic materials handled alongside food waste reported. Organics generated in office and campus residential settings and special events can be included in addition to what is collected from dining facilities
  • Electronics = Total amount of electronics donated and recycled during a one-month period