Zero Waste Program

In 2011 the University of Michigan established a goal to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by 40% below the 2006 baseline by 2025.

As approximately 35% of our landfilled waste is compostable, leadership has made a strong commitment to expanding food waste composting on campus. Increasing efforts to divert compostable material supports the waste prevention goal and helps create a culture of sustainability.

A zero waste event works to reduce, recycle and compost as much as possible with the goal to achieve as much waste diversion from the landfill as possible. Interest and commitment to composting at campus events is becoming increasingly popular among students, faculty and staff.  The overall weight of compost collected has increased significantly, from 168 tons in FY 14, to over 226 tons in FY 15.

The Zero Waste Program provides technical and financial assistance and resources to units, departments and groups to reduce compostable waste being landfilled, and is open to all on the U-M Ann Arbor Campus. To increase the program reach and impact, compost collection carts are being added to loading docks and serviced regularly in buildings with food service or that frequently host events and have departments committed to composting.  Here is a list of the buildings with compost service.  If your location does not have regular service, we can help you submit a Work Order for compost service for the day of the event.  

 

Contact us as soon as possible to start planning for composting at your event!

             Staff:   email zerowaste@umich.edu 
             Students:  email ssi-zerowaste@umich.edu or fill out this Materials Request Form
 

Resources

Planning Your Event

Caterers and Vendors

Communicating Zero Waste Message to Event Attendees