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Zero Waste Events

zero waste event bins and volunteers nearby
recycling, compost, and landfill bins
zero waste event champions, Jean Song and Laura Cotton
food table with zero waste event signage
audience at stamelos gallery reception
waste goalie volunteers monitoring zero waste event bins

What is a Zero Waste Event?

Zero Waste Events (ZWE) aim to reduce, recycle, and compost as much waste as possible before, during, and after an event. UM-Dearborn follows common university standards that define zero waste events as those that divert 90% or more of the waste from the landfill. The remaining percentage that might be sent to landfill is considered acceptable because it discourages wish cycling, which is when non-recyclable items are incorrectly placed in the recycling stream.

photo of ann marie bonneau

We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.

Ann Marie Bonneau, Award-winning Zero Waste Chef and Author

How to host a Zero Waste Event at UM-Dearborn

All UM-Dearborn organizations are invited to host zero waste events. Plan ahead, and request to make your next event zero waste!

What goes where during Zero Waste Events?

A blue and white recycling poster for the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The top features a large recycling symbol, the word "Recycling," and a reminder that all recycling must be free of food residue and liquid. Illustrated recyclable categories are cardboard (depicted as an open box), plastic containers (cup and bottle), metal (aluminum can), paper (sheets and magazines), and paper cups (two coffee cups). Below, a section labeled "NOT ACCEPTED" in red outlines four non-recyclable items with icons: glass (jar with a line through it), compostables (apple core and leaf), liquids (droplet and cup), and plastic bags (bag with a line through it). The bottom of the poster features the logos for UM-Dearborn Facilities Operations and the Planet Blue Ambassador program.

 

A sign features illustrations and text to guide waste disposal into landfill bins. At the top, a trash can icon is next to “Landfill” in bold letters. Four types of waste are shown: plastic grocery bags and zip lock bags labeled as “plastic bags & film”; a bent drinking straw labeled “straws”; a chip bag and candy wrapper labeled “wrappers”; and a stackable styrofoam container beside a cup labeled “styrofoam.” The message “When in doubt, ask a volunteer” appears below. At the bottom, the sign displays University of Michigan-Dearborn branding and logos for Facilities Operations and Planet Blue Ambassador.

 

Visual guide for composting includes bold “Compost” label with a hand holding a seedling icon. Separate illustrations for paper towels and napkins, all food scraps (showing an apple, chicken leg, and bitten cookie), and compostable ware (with labeled plate, fork, knife, spoon, cup, bowl). Text at the bottom says “When in doubt, ask a volunteer.” At the footer, University of Michigan–Dearborn branding for Facilities Operations and Planet Blue Ambassador is prominently displayed with their logos.