UMich Zero Waste Challenge
4th annual Zero Waste Week Challenge at the University of Michigan.
1,219 people have joined the challenge so far!
I've been curious about zero-waste for a while, but I don't know where to start
I want to be able to act as a model for what it looks like to commit to creating less waste within our environements.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I want to do my part in this movement toward a cleaner planet!
We all live in this world together
It could help influence other people who might influence more people and so on.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I want to reduce the amount of garbage that I produce and throw away.
I want to reduce my environmental impact so we don’t ruin our planet
I want to live a life that reflects my concern for our environment
keeps me more financially conscious
Landfills are filling way too fast! I reuse or share as many of my things as possible.
I believe it’s important to live environmentally friendly for the earth where all living things share its sources for good!
I want to make the world a better place for myself and people in the future!!
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I want to create a better world for future generations and take care of the earth!
Because I am a sustainability minor and I love the planet
I want to reduce my environmental impact because the natural world deserves our help
I want to reduce my waste to help create an overall cleaner and longer lasting world.
I think it is the right thing to do!
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I have pets, and many animals that live in the wild suffer due to the impacts that humans have on the environment. I want to make sure that my actions don't affect the suffering of wild animals.
Small actions can add up, and if we want this planet to be around for future generations this is the least I can do.
I want to have a smaller environmental impact on the earth
I've been consciously living my life in a less wasteful way as long as I can remember. It makes me feel good knowing at least I'm doing my part preserving the planet we live in. Saving $ along the way is a bonus
I joined the zero waste challenge because I wanted to meet colleagues who shared a similar strive in reducing their environmental impact, while implementing a more sustainable lifestyle through hands-on exposure to these efforts.
I am part of a broader group of students and I believe great change can occur when many people make minor changes to everyday habits.
I want to join a larger effort to reduce waste and notice my individual impact more!
Why not!? I know I won't succeed at all the challenges, but I also know it'll be better than not trying!
Every single-use product not consumed and wasted, is one less single use product that interferes with a natural ecosystem
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I care about the future of the planet!
I want to reduce my environmental impact to support my planet and to support RHA.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because change starts with us! You start changing the world by changing your world: one piece of trash, one commitment, one day at a time.
I want the planet to be livable and beautiful for the future generations <3
I want to be a good example to my nephews. They're trash goblins.
I want to limit waste to save animals!
We deserve a better future and don’t have to live in a society that centers capitalism
I want to save the world not hurt it
I want to help reduce waste
I want reduce my environmental impact for our planet 🌎
I joined this challenge because it feels nice to be held accountable for my own actions and also know there are people like me trying to make this planet last longer.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I love the Earth
I want to learn more creative ways to reduce waste and help my friends and family do so too!
I want to learn more about reducing my waste impact because I know I have a lot to learn!
I want to reduce my overall footprint and impact on the planet.
We live in a planet with finite resources and literally can’t survive doing what we’ve been doing!
Live a more sustainable lifestyle, and encourage others to do the same.
While the majority of environmental impacts are made by large scale organizations (corporations, etc), individual action can still be useful. I think some action is better than none, and life defined outside of consumption and more intentional is richer.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because it is my duty to be conscientious about my choices and their consequences
I want to create a cleaner future!
we need to!
Growing up near the Grand River I knew that keeping it clean was important to keeping my neighbors and nature healthy
I want to learn how to reduce my consumption and waste
To continue focusing my on my consumption habits in an effort to further reduce them.
I am very conscious of my contribution to pollution and always try to keep it as minimal as possible.
I think that preserving the environment is important!
i care deeply about the earth and its inhabitants
To become a more aware person of my waste
I want to do more to leave less of a footprint.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I think that it is important to be mindful of our planet.
I am joining the zero waste challenge because I want to make the world a better place. I love being outside and I want to preserve the beautiful planet that we live on!
I want to reduce the amount of waste I create because I’m worried about our environment and want to be more conscious of my impact!
To be more conscious about waste and to become a more sustainable person.
I want my children to have a healthy world to live in.
I aim to reduce my waste in order to contribute towards a healthy, safe environment free of unnecessary waste.
our campus needs more focus on zero-waste actions!
I want to leave the earth a better place than what I grew up with.
I want to reduce my environment impact because I’m scared for our future!! Puxatony Phil can only handle so many more weeks of winter
I want to help the planet.
I want to have fun and do my best
I want to lower my carbon footprint to help fight climate change!
I want to reduce my environmental waste so that I can make sure I am contributing to a better and cleaner Earth !
I think it’s important to keep our environment habitable for other nature and future generations!
It will make the earth a better place for generations to come.
i want to do my part in reducing global warming
I like trash.
I'm looking for new ways to reduce my environmental impact and promote a circular economy, and love learning about these topics :)
I want to take better care of the Earth and reverse/slow the process of losing my home, Long Island
Learn more about ways to ensure a sustainable future for all life. Practice and grow my sustainable low energy personal daily life habits.
Nature is beautiful and trash is ugly
I like saving the planet
I am joining this challenge because we seriously need to reduce our waste production if we don't want to drown in trash soon!
It's important we all play a role in protecting the environment.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I want children in the future to be able to enjoy the forests and trees and animals like I did when I was a kid
I want to reduce waste in my community and give back!
Because going zero waste is probably one of the ONLY effective sustainability campaigns I've come across so far, which is "manageable difficult" and has a real impact.
I've embraced this activisim on my own since I heard about it. I'm attending this year to get more connected to the community and not feeling alone!
why not?! i’d like to work to reduce the amount of waste i produce
I want to reduce my environmental impact because it is essential that we all do our part to live more sustainably, and minimize our contribution to climate change whenever we can.
I want to reduce my environmental impact to help those who will be here after I am gone
As a busy student with a job, it sometimes is easy to get into the habit of relying on convenience, especially in an environment that is not designed around sustainable choices. I am joining the zero waste as a daily reminder to act in alignment with my values, and that I am not alone.
"By any means necessary", because I wish to connect to one another, the earth and all of her species, and to vouchsafe what remains of the living world for the present and for those following us. I can't always hold to 'every little act counts', sometimes the mess we have made is too overwhelming, but I try to return to that more sanguine perspective.
I want to learn how to make zero waste choices to benefit the environment and reduce reliance on single use packaging.
I want to reduce my impact on the Earth
To build more sustainable daily habits.
In the wake of current climate news and legislation, every individual action matters and it’s important to not forget that.
I want to become more conscious of the waste that I produce, and learn strategies for minimizing it. Ideally, when I have a more stable living situation, these tools can be applied and lead to no single-use plastic, composting all food waste, growing my own food, and creating/upcycling my clothes!
I'm fully aware of the state of the world environmentally, and it does not feel right sitting back and doing nothing while the world literally burns. If I can make a small difference in trying to help save our planet, I would love to.
I want to give back to the planet that gave me home, and make sure that beauty lasts for generations to come.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I care about the well being of all organisms that currently live or will live on Earth. I want to make sure I am doing what I can to protect and care for myself and community.
Zero waste challenge is a fun way to measure my current lifestyle and up my game.
So, that my plastic waste does not end up in whale stomachs:-)
I want to reduce my waste because I feel its important for those who can, to work together and fight climate change. I'm scared for the health of the Earth and I want to be a part of something that can help, even it seems negligible.
Joining the challenge introduces me to new and incremental changes I can make to reduce waste.
I care about reducing my carbon footprint through producing less waste. I also care about helping my team win the challenge!
I want to show others how beneficial it is to be zero waste
I want to reduce my impact because I think the natural environment has intrinsic value and is worth protecting!
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I dream of a future where I can spend time outside and experience the beauty of nature!
Bring outdoors matters a lot to me and id like to keep it as beautiful as possible for future generations. We all deserve a clean, safe world.
I want to do my part and walk my talk. Environmental health is very important to me as a nature lover, human caring about health, and future environmental lawyer.
i want to protect the earth for future generations
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I think it is important to care for our planet and our neighbors in the best way that we can.
I want to focus more on reducing my waste specifically when it comes to things like plastic waste for cups and simple things that we don’t think of.
I want to reduce the amount of waste I create so that our planet will stay beautiful and clean for future generations.
We only have one planet
I want to reduce the negative impact I have on our environment as I’d like to keep our world clean and healthy for us and the generations to come.
I want to live frugally and only use what I need. It'll limit the number of times I need to take out the trash and also make me feel good as I make an impact in my corner of the world. I'm currently abroad in Scotland and I like how they make you pay to get a bag for your items, so I've been bringing my own tote bag wherever I shop.
I want to increase my efforts to live a sustainable lifestyle, and I thought this challenge would be a good opportunity to look at my consumption habits and reflect on what I can do without.
I want to reduce waste to minimize my negative environmental impact on marginalized communities in the Global South
A healthy environment means healthy people. Being outside in nature and being able to drink fresh water and breathe fresh air the the assurance of knowing the harmony of people, animals, plants, and weather can live life together in a sustainable manner does a lot for my mental health. I want to do my part and prove to myself that I can live in an environmentally friendly way.
I want to challenge myself to know that producing less waste is an actualy possibility that can be integrated into my life like any healthy habit.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because it can start a snowball effect that spreads to those around me.
I want to learn how I can reduce my waste
I am passionate about reducing my environmental impact.
I want to be more conscious about my consumption habits and embody zero waste principles in my day to day.
I am joining the zero waste challenge because I love the environment and I think it is our duty to do our part to protect it, which includes reducing waste and consumption!
I think that this is a great challenge to bring more people into learning about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle in a fun way!
I am joining the zero waste challenge because I want to be better for the environment.
The nature around campus has always given me something as support, so I should give something back. Also my roomate knows where I sleep and is an ecology major.
I want to reduce my environmental impact to show I can live with less and further counteract my consumerism and consumption
I want to enjoy the natural beauty of the world
Everyone has a part to play in protecting our environment and slowing climate change, and this is one of the many things I think everyone should do to make that happen :)
I want to be more cognizant of the impact my actions have on our environment. Joining the zero waste challenge is helping me learn and stay motivated to reduce my waste
I am joining zero waste challenge to discover methods to eliminate my waste that I can carry forward with me in the years ahead!
Taking care of the environment is important as it can reflect back onto us. Reducing my waste can help keep this world a little cleaner for the people I love.
With so much going on in the world, there's a lot that feels like we have no control over. But one thing we do have control over is how and what we consume. Taking the time to make conscious and mindful decisions that are going to help the environment when it needs it most. There is no planet B.
I care about the environment, and I want to be lest wasteful.
I want to live my life more consciously of my waste and my long-term impact on the world.
i want to give back to the Earth that provides so much for me!
keep our earth healthy!
I think it is important to make little changes at the very least, because small changes (like bringing a reusable cup or waterbottle) add up over time! I want to make an impact, even a small one, on improving the environment.
I want to reduce my environmental impact and show others how easy it is to do it too.
I want to reduce my environmental impact through being cognizant of my waste, specifically my usage of paper/plastic cups. I'm really bad at carrying around a reusable water bottle and hate washing dishes, but cutting unnecessary plastic and paper usage out of my lifestyle would be easy and make a tangible difference.
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I believe that the natural world is beautiful and we all have a responsibility important to build a sustainable future.
I love the planet! We only have one!
It makes me feel empowered to do something to curb the growing waste crisis!
The world is already overflowing with waste and the increase of consumerism isn't helping
I am joining because as a sustainability minor I think it is important to keep yourself accountable for your actions, which I think are easy to lose track of sometimes.
I am joining this challenge because any amount of change towards building sustainable habits benefits not oneself, but the entire community.
I want to be more conscientious of the environmental impacts of my daily decisions
I'm joining the challenge to support my chapter.
I would like to reduce environmental pollution
I want to make the world beautiful!!!
I want to reduce my waste in my daily life through the challenges.
I want to reduce my environmental impact to help beautify Ann Arbor
I want to reduce my environmental impact because I care about future generations
I want a better future for my child, animals, the planet
I hate wasting stuff. I'm a bit of a hoarder.
Even little things can improve environmental impact
I want to reduce my environmental impact to help preserve the earth around me.
The resources we we have are limited. Humans and our wants are unlimited. We need to be doing something about this, and the best way to do something is together as a community of sustainably minded people concerned about our world.
I want to reduce my footprint because I know I produce a lot of unnecessary waste!
The changing climate can be really overwhelming, but doing small things can add up! This is me doing my part
I want to reduce my environmental impact to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities and resources available down the line.
I want to keep the planet livable for humans and all other species!
I believe thinking sustainability is a necessary movement towards addressing climate issues! 😝
I want a healthy environment for future generations to enjoy and thrive.
It's such a waste to waste things! If you've ever visited a landfill you will see how much you don't want to send things there. Reusing things sometimes by sharing them with others and living as lightly on the planet as you can shows your love for Mother Nature and for your fellow beings
I want to reduce the waste I see in my community
I want to be a part of the movement that helps change the way we view waste as a society and how mindful we are with waste.
Help the environment
How It Works
One week. Avoid what you can. Save what you can't. See what you learn.
Do Your Best
Do your best to avoid creating trash and recycling for one week. We'll send you daily tips and ideas to help.
Collect What's Left
Keep any waste you do create in a bag or box. No shame — it's just data. You'll be surprised what you find.
Reflect & Share
Look through what you collected and discover which zero waste steps are most relevant to your life. Earn points toward prizes.
It's not about being perfect — it's about paying attention.
Why Zero Waste?
Learn how to take concrete action on waste and climate issues
Waste isn't just about trash. From extraction to disposal, our materials economy sits at the root of climate change and environmental breakdown. Learn what you can do in your own life to reduce waste and build momentum for a zero waste future at the university and in Ann Arbor.
5 Resource-Packed Emails
Tips to get you started on your zero waste journey
Zero Waste Events
Join us throughout the week for hands-on activities
Expert-Led
U of M alums with 9+ years of zero waste experience
Featured Prizes
$25 to The Getup Vintage
Bundtlet for a Year Card
A year of free buntlets (1/month) worth $75