Zero Waste & Sustainable Purchasing

Instructions: To obtain your Zero Waste & Sustainable Purchasing badge, it is recommended that you complete the following by February 6, 2023.

1 Prerequisite

2 Actions

Submit Form.

Only submit the form once you have completed all of your actions. Remember, you only have to complete the prerequisite and 2 additional actions of your choosing. You do not have to complete all of the actions to earn your badge.
Actions Key: On campus event Virtual event Home life Renter-friendly Misc
Prerequisite:
Prerequisite Action: Watch the Recycling & Waste Education Video and Complete Quiz Description: Watch this recycling education video to learn how to utilize the terms rethink, reduce, reuse, and recycle on the Weber States campus'. Follow up with a short Google Form quiz which is located at the beginning of the submittal form. Time Commitment: 10 minutes Required Documentation: Complete the quiz (at the beginning of the submission form).
Choose at Least Two of the Following Actions:
Recycle Action 1: Volunteer at A Zero Waste Athletics Basketball Game (Jan 21) Description: Volunteer with the sustainable clubs as they recycle aluminum cans, and plastic bottles at basketball games. To volunteer for this event, sign-up through the Givepulse link here, or email: hunterriccardelli@weber.edu for more information. Time Commitment: 3 Required Documentation: Take a photo of yourself volunteering.

Reuse Action 2: Donate or Volunteer at The Free Swap (Jan. 25 & 26) Description: Attend the 2023 Free Swap hosted by the Sustainable Clubs in the Union Ballroom this January from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. This event will be a two-day long event with plenty of volunteer opportunities, bring items to donate on the 25th, and/or pick up some secondhand treasures on the 26th! To volunteer for this event, sign-up through the Givepulse link here, or email: hunterriccardelli@weber.edu for more information. Time Commitment: 30 minutes Required Documentation: Take a photo of yourself at the free swap.

Recycle Action 3: 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: 20 minutes (setting up your recycling bin service) Required Documentation: Take a photo of your full recycling bin.

Reduce Action 4: Volunteer With The Food Recovery Network Description: Volunteer with the Food Recovery Network(FRN) for food recoveries on Tuesdays & Fridays from 8:30 am- 10:15 am. 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, sign-up through Givepulse here, or email hunterriccardelli@weber.edu for more information. Time Commitment: 2 hours (varies by food recovery) Required Documentation: Upload a photo of yourself during a food recovery.

Reduce Action 5: 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. For example, the Sustainability office is partnering with WSU's catering service; Sodexo so you can buy a reusable clamshell container from any Sodexo location in the Shepherd Union for a discounted price. The reusable containers are offered to students, faculty, and staff for $3 instead of the original price of $6. Supplies are limited, so get them while they are in stock. Time Commitment: varies Required Documentation: Take a photo of yourself using your reusable replacement.

Reduce Action 6: Reduce Your Junk Mail Description: Opt out of junk mail through ftc.gov to reduce unwanted paper waste. Time Commitment: 7 minutes Required Documentation: Screenshot the submission confirmation page.

Recycle Action 7: Buy at Least One Item From a Local Thrift Store Description: Go to your favorite thrift store and pick up a second-hand treasure. You can purchase anything from furniture to clothes, and everything in between. Time Commitment: 30 minutes Required Documentation: Take a photo of your favorite thrift store finds.

Recycle Action 8: 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 here. Time Commitment: 3 hours Required Documentation: Take before and after photos of your upcycle project.

Recycle Action 9: Start Composting Description: Start composting at home using this Composting Workshop guide created by the WSU Sustainable Club past Community Garden President, Cayden Quayle. Composting is a great way to divert your food waste and give it a new purpose. For more helpful tips, visit Worm Tea Composting Guide, and A Guide to a Sustainable Garden and Kitchen for more information. Time Commitment: 1 hour Required Documentation: Take a photo of your compost bin setup.

Recycle Action 10: Switch at Least One School or Office Supply to Recycled Content, Reusable Products, or Eco-labeled Products. Description: Swap disposable products for recycled content, reusable products, or eco-labeled products. Switch something like one-time-use pens to reusable products such as refillable fountain pens. You can also purchase eco-labeled supplies, or replace paper school and office supplies with 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content paper. Time Commitment: 20 minutes or less (shopping time) Required Documentation: Take a photo of your eco-friendly office or school supplies (don't forget to use a reusable bag).

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