Zero Waste Week – Tips You Can Use For Sustainability
Follow us on Facebook @WCWRC for more tips all week or check out the resources below.
Zero Waste Tips - The 5 R's
Refuse
Refuse unneeded or unwanted items such. Also, refuse to purchase single-use plastics and items that cannot be later reused or recycled. Check out the article How To Stop Junk Mail from the Federal Trade Commission to get started!
Reduce
Reduce consumption of harmful, toxic, or single-use items. Want to reduce the number of toxins in your home? Bring them to our Home Toxics disposal center or check this list of alternative cleaning solutions.
Reuse
Get creative and reuse items instead of throwing them away. Shop at thrift stores and donate your unwanted belongings. View our Turning Trash into Treasure Guide for more information.
Recycle
Recycling items that cannot be reused offers them a new life. Most areas in Washtenaw County offer some form of recycling service. Check out our Home Recycling Resources.
Rot
Allow food to decompose in a compost bin instead of a landfill. This process rewards you with nutrient-rich soil that can be used around your yard. View more composting resources here.
Zero Waste Washtenaw
Zero Waste Washtenaw is a County program that encourages and assists local event participants, organizers, vendors, and attendees, to minimize their environmental footprint through zero waste practices at community events. Additionally, it exposes event-goers to recycling and composting and increasing their awareness of diversion possibilities for the items they use.
Each event partnership is unique, resulting in a varied range of waste collection and disposal opportunities. Zero Waste Washtenaw meets organizers where they are and provides resources, zero waste stations, assistance with volunteer training, assignment of staff support, and other zero waste supplies where necessary.
In 2019, Zero Waste Washtenaw partnered with 29 events reaching over 30,000 community members. These efforts diverted over 2,700 pounds of materials from landfills! In total, 913 pounds of material were recycled, 6 pounds were reused, and 1,800 pounds were composted.
Since 2015, the Washtenaw County Solid Waste Division has collaborated with Recycle Ann Arbor to expand the reach and impact of zero waste events throughout Washtenaw County.
2019 Zero Waste Community Events
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Event | Estimated Attendance | Recycle (lbs) | Compost (lbs) | Trash (lbs) | Diversion Rate |
Local Food Summit | 230 | 36 | 67 | 6 | 94% |
Washtenaw County Environmental Excellence Program Ceremony | 150 | 0.5 | 12.3 | 1.5 | 90% |
City of Ann Arbor's Earth Day Festival | 1,500 | 16.5 | 55.75 | 8.25 | 90% |
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market Food Truck Rally | 3,000 | 10.2 | 144.7 | 44.3 | 78% |
St. Joseph Hospital Chelsea, Heart & Sole Walk/Race |
| 5.8 | 11.2 | 3 | 85% |
Rudolf Steiner's Pentathlon | 500 | 55 | 121 | 32 | 85% |
Huron River Day | 1000 | 4 | 5.25 | 3.5 | 73% |
Leslie Science Center's MayFly Fundraiser | 150 | 27 | 24 | 9 | 85% |
Lawton Elementary Ice Cream Social | 500 | 39 | 158.45 | 11.75 | 94% |
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market Food Truck Rally | 3,000 | 11.8 | 166.8 | 50.6 | 78% |
Ypsi Pride | 10,000 | Data unavailable |
Grillin' for Food Gatherer's | 1,400 | 294.04 | 220 | 74.2 | 87% |
City of Ann Arbor's Mayor's Green Fair | 1,000 | 8 | 10.25 | 1.5 | 92% |
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market Food Truck Rally | 1,500 | 10.2 | 150 | 45.6 | 78% |
4-H Horse Camp Youth Show | Data unavailable |
Piper Partners Client Picnic | 100 | 5.05 | 18.9 | 3.55 | 87% |
Ann Arbor Pride | 1,500 | 149.25 | 19.95 | 62 | 73% |
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market Food Truck Rally | 600 | 14.2 | 124.6 | 26.8 | 84% |
Saline Summerfest | 2,000 | 120.8 | 37.4 | n/a | n/a |
Washtenaw County Health Department Block Party | Data unavailable |
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market Food Truck Rally | 500 | 5.2 | 120.6 | 25 | 83% |
Daycroft School Fall Social | 150 | 2.6 | 43.4 | 0.4 | 99% |
5 Healthy Towns Farm to Table Annual Event - Dexter | 150 | 12.4 | 116.8 | 3 | 98% |
Ann Arbor Farmer's Market Food Truck Rally | 125 | 3 | 22.2 | 10.2 | 71% |
Lawton Elementary's Run-A-Thon | 250 | 19.7 | 38.3 | 14.1 | 80% |
United Way of Washtenaw County Cornhole Fundraiser* | 70 | 0.9 | 8.8 | 0.4 | 96% |
Zion Lutheran Church Chelsea - Annual Sauerkraut Farmer's Supper | 280 | 55.9 | 61.1 | 73.4 | 61% |
Steiner Winter Festival | 1200 | 15.5 | 68 | 18.5 | 82% |
TOTALS: | 30,855 | 906.8 | 1,758.8 | 510.1 | 84% |
Waste Reduction Programs
Composting
County Clean-up Days
Home Recycling Resources
Home Toxics Disposal
Medication Disposal
Waste Knot Program
Waste Reduction Sponsorships
Zero Waste Washtenaw