Zero Waste

Prerequisite: 

Prerequisite Action: Watch Videos on WSU's Recycling and Complete Quiz

Description:  Weber State's single-stream recycling is taken to the Davis Material Recovery and Transfer Facility (MRF). Watch the videos below to learn more about what happens once items arrive at the MRF and how the items are sorted. Learn more about what items are accepted.

• "Davis Material Recovery and Transfer Facility" (8:16)
• "Helpful Tip - What Can I Put in My Blue Bin?" (1:14)
• "Helpful Tip - Be Sure to Break Down Your Cardboard Boxes Before Recycling" (0:53)
• "Helpful Tip - Don't Bag Your Recyclables" (0:48)

**After watching the videos, take the quiz.

Time Commitment: 15 minutes

Required Documentation: Complete the quiz and submit a screenshot of your score.

Choose at Least Two of the Following Actions: 

Action 1: Attend the Zero Waste Lunch and Learn (TBD)

Description: Join the Energy and Sustainability office for the Zero Waste Lunch and Learn. Learn about recycling at WSU, sustainable purchasing, and how you can make a difference on campus and in your personal life. Food will be provided! Please RSVP (TBD)

• When: TBD
• Where: TBD

Time Commitment: 1 hour 

Required Documentation: Check in at the event and then write 3-4 sentences about what you learned and at least one change you can make.

Action 2: Donate Items or Volunteer at the Free Swap (Nov. 10th & 11th)

Description: Donate items or volunteer at the Free Swap! The Free Swap is a two-day event where people can donate items on Day 1, and the campus community can take donated items for free on Day 2. Volunteers are needed to help organize donations. To volunteer or learn more about the event, please visit the GivePulse page. 

• Day 1 (donation day): November 10th from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM in Shephard Union Ballroom A 
• Day 2 (free pick up day): November 11th from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM in Shephard Union Ballroom A

Time Commitment: 1 hour + 

Required Documentation: Check in at the event and write 3-4 sentences about your experience.

Action 3: Volunteer at a Zero Waste Athletics Football Game (Nov. 21st)

Description: Attend the WSU vs Utah Tech football game on November 21st at 1:00 pm and help Wildcats go Zero Waste! Volunteer with the Environmental Ambassadors to help compost and recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles throughout the game. To volunteer for this event, sign up through GivePulse.

Time Commitment: 3 hours+

Required Documentation: Check in at the event and submit a photo of yourself volunteering.

Action 4: Volunteer With The Food Recovery Network

Description: Volunteer with the Food Recovery Network(FRN) for food recoveries on Tuesdays or Fridays. Pack up surplus food from dining services, and deliver it to either the Lantern House or the Weber Cares Food Pantry. 

• To volunteer with the Food Recovery Network, you must sign up through GivePulse (TBD) (availability limited).

Time Commitment: 30 minutes - 1 hour (varies by food recovery)

Required Documentation: Check in at the event & write 3 or more sentences about your experience.

Action 5: Complete "Waste & Recycling at WSU" Course on Learn Weber

Description: Complete the "Waste & Recycling at WSU" Course on Learn Weber to learn more about how WSU handles different waste streams and ways you can get involved. Access the course here.

Time Commitment: 30 minutes+

Required Documentation: Write 3 or more sentences about what you learned and at least one change you can make.

Action 6: Start Recycling at Home

Description: Start recycling at home. If you already recycle, start recycling an item that you don't currently recycle such as glass or a hard-to-recycle item through TerraCycle. Community glass recycling is available in the Dee Event Center parking lot. 

Time Commitment: 30 minutes

Required Documentation: Write 3-4 sentences about what you decided to recycle, where you are getting it recycled, and why. 

Action 7: Change a Disposable Habit

Description: Identify a disposable product you regularly use (water bottle, grocery bag, toothbrush, utensils, take-out containers) and replace it with a reusable alternative.

Time Commitment: 30 minutes

Required Documentation: Take a photo of yourself using your reusable replacement.

Action 8: Buy from a Zero Waste Store, Bulk Store, or Refillery

Description: Reduce plastic waste by bringing your own bags or jars to fill up on your household staples. Several local grocery stores such as Winco, Natural Grocers, and Whole Foods Market have "bulk" sections where you can buy loose items by weight, reducing packaging waste and allowing you to purchase exact amounts. The Eco Location at the Monarch on 25th Street is a great place to start for other household essentials like soap and shampoo. Learn more about the benefits of buying in bulk.

*** This is different than buying large cases (bulk) of an item such as water bottles. 

Time Commitment: varies

Required Documentation: Submit a photo of an item you decided to buy in bulk. *The item must be one that you specifically got for this action, not something you already have.

Action 9: Choose Something to Upcycle

Description: Select a disposable item from your home (empty jars, old clothes, etc) or an item from a thrift store (furniture, decor, etc) and turn it into something new! Thrift flips upgrade existing items to look brand new or serve a new purpose. Find UpCycle ideas. 

Time Commitment: varies

Required Documentation: Upload before and after photos of your upcycle project. *The project must be one that you specifically did for this action, not something you have already upcycled.

Innovation Action:

Description: Innovative actions are welcome, but please email greenbadge@weber.edu for approval before submitting this as one of your actions. 

Time Commitment: varies

Required Documentation: varies