Theme: Waste Diversion & Reduction

These projects focus on how to reduce the amount of waste produced on campus, encourage behavior changes that reduce waste production, or explore avenues of recycling/compost/reuse that allow us to lower our campus's waste footprint. 

FoodWare at Haas

Project Description

Catered events at UC Berkeley lead to unnecessary waste and carbon emissions from disposable packaging. Approximately 100-1000 single-use items are discarded at each event. After connecting with the sustainability team at the Haas School of Business and realizing the school shares the same sentiment, we are taking action and launching a pilot in cooperation with Haas with the hope of expanding to the rest of campus. Our project aims to fully replace single-use food packaging for catered events by introducing a reusables service driven by a sustainability...

PlateUp: Reducing Single-Use Plastic Takeout Waste

Project Description

The proposed project consists of surveying, identifying, and assisting (10) pilot restaurants in their transition from single-use plastic takeout boxes to compostables and/or reusables.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

ReUSE: Berkeley's Only On-Campus Thrift Store

Project Description

This project is to revamp the ReUSE store, allowing us to achieve our 4 main goals for next semester: 1) Doubling our charity impact to $3000 and saving at least 1000 pounds of clothing and material waste. 2) Growing our volunteer base and community from 50 to 120 general volunteers. 3) Revitalizing our ReUSE material stations across campus and successfully dispersing materials from storage. 4) Tripling our daily store foot traffic and social media outreach and engagement, specifically on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

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Electric Cargo Bike for ReUse Stations

ReUSE and Cal Zero Waste are requesting funds to purchase an electric cargo bicycle to transport materials from the Cal Zero Waste office to each ReUSE station, rather than moving items on foot.

Deployment of Reusables on Campus

Project Description

Cal Zero Waste plans to launch a partnership with FoodWare, a TGIF funded project, to implement a new dishwasher on campus and increase the amount of reusable takeout ware on campus and restaurants. Through FoodWare, the UC Berkeley community will be able to purchase their meals in reusable materials, track CO2 emissions avoided, and the amount of single-use containers saved, which will improve the overall impact of the campus community.

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Sustainable Menstrual Products Program (SMPP)

Project Description

The Zero Waste Coalition (ZWC) is seeking funding to expand their research from the initial pilot in Fall 2023, providing free access to eco-friendly, body-safe period products in the University Health Services wellness area and at community events. ZWC will hold best practices and care workshops, community events, and conduct outreach efforts to educate the UC Berkeley campus around the intersectional issues around environmental justice and menstrual equity.

Project Links

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Vermicomposting Implementation Project

Project Description

The Vermicompost Implementation Project heightens the impact of our existing Continuous-Flow-Through Vermicomposting Bin by unifying our material flows and expanding our educational offerings. First, we will relocate our Bin to the Clark Kerr Campus (CKC) Garden, where we will continue processing CKC Kitchen food waste and producing nutrient-rich vermicast to benefit the CKC Garden. By tightening our project’s geographic scope we will become a clear educational example of organics resource circularity. Second, this new location will form the foundation of...

Recycling at Cal Program

Project Description

Increase can/bottle recycling by installing new outdoor recycling containers.

Project Links

Project Application

No More Down the Drain

Project Description

Install a sand and sediment trap to reduce and recycle clay and glazes.

Project Links

Project Application

Connie and Kevin Chou Hall Zero Waste Certification

Project Description

In 2017, Haas unveiled its newest building, the Connie & Kevin Chou Hall, an 80,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to student learning. The building embodies Haas’s defining principles: Question the Status Quo, Confidence without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. Designed for LEED Platinum and WELL certifications, Connie & Kevin Chou Hall will also be the first business school building registered to attain Zero Waste certification by Summer 2018. The building will serve as a model for environmental sustainability...