February 16th - 20th, 2026

UMich Zero Waste Challenge

Join your fellow Wolverines in reducing waste, earning points, and winning incredible prizes. Small actions, big impact.

1,071 people have joined the challenge so far!

I want to be able to act as a model for what it looks like to commit to creating less waste within our environements.

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Dara Joined 9 days ago

I want to save the world not hurt it

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Sam Joined 8 days ago

Why not!? I know I won't succeed at all the challenges, but I also know it'll be better than not trying!

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Ariel Joined 7 days ago

I want to reduce my environmental impact to support my planet and to support RHA.

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Nora Joined 1 day ago

We deserve a better future and don’t have to live in a society that centers capitalism

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Allie Joined 8 days ago

We live in a planet with finite resources and literally can’t survive doing what we’ve been doing!

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Danielle Joined 24 days ago

Small actions can add up, and if we want this planet to be around for future generations this is the least I can do.

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Eliana Joined 8 days ago

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.

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Vanessa Joined 11 days ago

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.

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Tyler Joined 7 days ago

Landfills are filling way too fast! I reuse or share as many of my things as possible.

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Sharon Joined 6 days ago

Growing up near the Grand River I knew that keeping it clean was important to keeping my neighbors and nature healthy

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Lena Joined 11 days ago

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!

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Lindsey Joined 1 day ago

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.

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Samuel Joined 2 days ago

I want to show others how beneficial it is to be zero waste

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Isa Joined 2 days ago

keeps me more financially conscious

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Jayson Joined 4 days ago

I want to learn more about reducing my waste impact because I know I have a lot to learn!

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Kaci Joined 12 days ago

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.

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Erick Joined 7 days ago

I think it is the right thing to do!

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Charlie Joined 3 days ago

Help the environment

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Riccardo Joined 3 days ago

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.

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Kylee Joined 3 days ago

The changing climate can be really overwhelming, but doing small things can add up! This is me doing my part

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Mia Joined 3 days ago

I want to reduce my overall footprint and impact on the planet.

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Will Joined 2 days ago

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.

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Omilia Joined 3 days ago

I want to reduce my environmental impact because I want to create a better world for future generations and take care of the earth!

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Jack Joined 3 days ago

I want to make the world a better place for myself and people in the future!!

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Kat Joined 19 days ago

I am joining zero waste challenge to discover methods to eliminate my waste that I can carry forward with me in the years ahead!

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Aanvi Joined 8 days ago

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!

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Charlotte Joined 8 days ago

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 :)

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Pavit Joined 4 days ago

Because I am a sustainability minor and I love the planet

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Seally Joined 4 days ago

i want to give back to the Earth that provides so much for me!

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Shane Joined 15 days ago

I am joining this challenge because we seriously need to reduce our waste production if we don't want to drown in trash soon!

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Gala Joined 4 days ago

I'm joining the challenge to support my chapter.

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Molly Joined 8 days ago

I think that preserving the environment is important!

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Siena Joined 19 days ago

It's important we all play a role in protecting the environment.

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Meghan Joined 4 days ago

I want to reduce the waste I see in my community

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Ryan Joined 4 days ago

I believe thinking sustainability is a necessary movement towards addressing climate issues! 😝

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Kai Joined 19 days ago

I want to keep the planet livable for humans and all other species!

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Sophia Joined 4 days ago

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.

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Lindsay Joined 24 days ago

I want to live a life that reflects my concern for our environment

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Ana Joined 4 days ago

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

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Kathy Joined 13 days ago

To build more sustainable daily habits.

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Chao-Jen Joined 7 days ago

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.

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Sophia Joined 22 days ago

I want to reduce my environmental impact to help preserve the earth around me.

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Sara Joined 7 days ago

I like trash.

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Hessa Joined 7 days ago

I hate wasting stuff. I'm a bit of a hoarder.

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Kelvin Joined 7 days ago

I want to reduce my environmental impact so we don’t ruin our planet

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Cole Joined 4 days ago

I want a better future for my child, animals, the planet

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Kelly Joined 6 days ago

I want to reduce my environmental impact because I care about future generations

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Amelia Joined 11 days ago

I want to reduce my environmental impact to help beautify Ann Arbor

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Ale Joined 8 days ago

I want to reduce my waste in my daily life through the challenges.

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Chiaki Joined 8 days ago

I want to reduce my environmental impact because I love the Earth

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Flannery Joined 8 days ago

I would like to reduce environmental pollution

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Saniya Joined 8 days ago

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

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Alex Joined 14 days ago

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

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Madi Joined 8 days ago

I want to be more conscientious of the environmental impacts of my daily decisions

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Summer Joined 10 days ago

I am joining this challenge because any amount of change towards building sustainable habits benefits not oneself, but the entire community.

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Aisha Joined 9 days ago

I want to be a good example to my nephews. They're trash goblins.

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Monica Joined 9 days ago

I want the planet to be livable and beautiful for the future generations <3

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Rhea Joined 10 days ago

Every single-use product not consumed and wasted, is one less single use product that interferes with a natural ecosystem

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Anna Joined 14 days ago

The world is already overflowing with waste and the increase of consumerism isn't helping

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Tori Joined 19 days ago

I want to reduce my environmental impact because I want to reduce the amount of garbage that I produce and throw away.

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Ashley Joined 10 days ago

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.

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Kaamaakshi Joined 14 days ago

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!

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Emily Joined 14 days ago

I want to do more to leave less of a footprint.

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Lydia Joined 14 days ago

To become a more aware person of my waste

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Trianna Joined 14 days ago

I want to learn how to make zero waste choices to benefit the environment and reduce reliance on single use packaging.

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Norah Joined 14 days ago

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.

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Katelyn Joined 19 days ago

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.

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Varvara Joined 15 days ago

I am very conscious of my contribution to pollution and always try to keep it as minimal as possible.

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Hana Joined 16 days ago

I want to live my life more consciously of my waste and my long-term impact on the world.

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Lillian Joined 24 days ago

I care about the environment, and I want to be lest wasteful.

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Sema Joined 24 days ago

I care about reducing my carbon footprint through producing less waste. I also care about helping my team win the challenge!

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Ainsley Joined 16 days ago

How It Works

One week. Avoid what you can. Save what you can't. See what you learn.

Starting Feb 16th

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.

All week

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.

End of week

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

Test

Comet Coffee $15 Gift Card

Donated by Comet Coffee

$100 Zingerman's Gift Card

Donated by Zingerman's Delicatessen

$25 to The Getup Vintage

Donated by The Getup Vintage

BYOC Co. Gift Basket

A gift basket including 3 dryer balls, a set of food savers and beeswax wraps.

Donated by BYOC Co.

$20 Gift Card to Arbor Teas

Donated by Arbor Teas

Meet the Team

The Zero Waste Club students making this challenge possible.

Zippy Memon

Zippy Memon

Co-President

Sophia Taylor

Sophia Taylor

Co-President

Annissa Sisson

Annissa Sisson

VP Events

Ella McIntyre

Ella McIntyre

VP Membership

Chloe Tjakra

Chloe Tjakra

Co-VP Technology

Grace Ogunji

Grace Ogunji

Co-VP Technology

Cindy Htar Nwe

Cindy Htar Nwe

VP Business

Grace Kulmac

Grace Kulmac

VP UM Departments

Maisie Weyhing

Maisie Weyhing

VP Marketing

Reaghan Higgins

Reaghan Higgins

VP Outreach

Siddharth Desai

Siddharth Desai

VP Finance

Yohan Park

Yohan Park

Valued Member

Talia Berger

Talia Berger

Valued Member

Gloria Kawai

Gloria Kawai

Valued Member

Join Zero Waste Club

Get involved!

Our Partners

Thank you to the organizations making this challenge possible.

3D Printing Club

3D Printing Club

Organizing
A2ZERO

A2ZERO

Organizing Event
Arbor Teas

Arbor Teas

Prize
Argus Farm Stop

Argus Farm Stop

Prize
BYOC Co.

BYOC Co.

Prize
Campus Farm Club

Campus Farm Club

Event
C'Mon Betty

C'Mon Betty

Prize
Comet Coffee

Comet Coffee

Prize
Common Cycle

Common Cycle

Prize
CupsNChai

CupsNChai

Organizing Prize
Engineering Student Government (ESG)

Engineering Student Government (ESG)

Organizing Prize
Environmental Law Society

Environmental Law Society

Organizing Outreach
M-36 Coffee Roasters

M-36 Coffee Roasters

Prize
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

Organizing
MDinning

MDinning

Organizing
Mindo Chocolate Makers

Mindo Chocolate Makers

Prize
Nothing Bundt Cakes

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Prize
Origami Club

Origami Club

Organizing
PeachLab

PeachLab

Prize
Planet Blue Student Leaders

Planet Blue Student Leaders

Organizing
Planted Palette

Planted Palette

Organizing
Polarity Fitness

Polarity Fitness

Prize
RoosRoast Coffee

RoosRoast Coffee

Prize
Theta Alpha Psi

Theta Alpha Psi

Organizing Outreach
Zaica Life

Zaica Life

Prize
Zingerman's Delicatessen

Zingerman's Delicatessen

Prize
SEAS Trash Club

SEAS Trash Club

Organizing Event Outreach
Student Sustainability Coalition

Student Sustainability Coalition

Sponsor
Crochet For Causes

Crochet For Causes

Event Outreach
LSA Student Government (TREES Committee)

LSA Student Government (TREES Committee)

Event Outreach
Bivouac

Bivouac

Prize
Spun

Spun

Prize
The GetUp Vintage

The GetUp Vintage

Prize

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the challenge?
Do your best to avoid trash and recycling for one week and collect any waste you do create to review at the end of the week. It's about awareness and learning, not perfection!
What counts as waste?
Any new thing you acquire during the week, including wrappers, bags, containers, receipts, and food scraps (if you don't have access to a compost).
Are there any exceptions?
Yes! Waste from your work and waste associated with medical needs don't count. Keep yourself healthy and continue taking any medication you need to feel your best, without worrying about the trash.
What if I make mistakes?
That's totally fine! This challenge is about learning and building awareness, not being perfect. Every bit of effort counts, and we're all learning together.
How do I earn points and win prizes?
Earn points by completing actions, attending events, and participating in the scavenger hunt. The more you engage, the more entries you get for our prize drawings!