Zero Waste Week 2019

Monday, October 21, 2019 12:00 am - Friday, October 25, 2019 12:00 am EDT (GMT -04:00)
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Hand holding up mason jar against greenery background
Shift Zero logo

Join the Sustainability Office and campus partners for Zero Waste Week, an opportunity to learn more about reducing your personal waste on campus and how you can get support Waterloo's commitment to becoming a zero waste campus by 2035 through the Shift Zero Action Plan.

We're encouraging you to take the Zero Waste Challenge for one week, and we have lots of events and activities to help you get ready! Read more about the challenge and supporting activities below:

Zero Waste Challenge  |  Supporting Activities

Zero Waste Challenge

Are you ready for the mason jar challenge? The rules are simple:

  • Mason jar with waste inside against living wall backdrop in EV3
    Register your jar on the Zero Waste Challenge registration page
  • Collect your waste in a 500mL mason jar (or similar-sized container) for one week 
  • Recycling and composting do not count - use the bins across campus!
  • Complete the follow-up survey (which will be sent to your email if you registered) by Monday, November 4, 2019 at 11:59pm
  • BONUS: Share your progress on social media using #WasteWeekUW and #ShiftZeroUW to help inspire others

We encourage you to try to keep your jar as empty as possible for the week. You can set your own difficulty - limit the challenge to your work/school day or take it one step further and collect your waste at home too. Either way, we hope you gain an awareness of how much and what kind of waste you produce in a week so you can start thinking about more sustainable swaps.

By completing the steps above, you will be entered to win one of these amazing prizes:

  • 1 grand prize pack (~$150 value): 
  • 1 of 3 zero waste prize packs (~$50 value each)
  • 1 W Store prize pack (~$50 value), generously donated by Print + Retail Solutions
  • 1 of 5 $10 gift cards to Zero Waste Bulk, generously donated by Zero Waste Bulk
  • 1 of 5 $10 WatCard top-ups!

AND BEST OF ALL, the prize packs come in an adorable tote made from 100% recycled materials - perfect for bringing your lunch AND repping UW Sustainability at the same time!

Supporting activities

We want to make sure you're equipped with all the tools you need for the Zero Waste Challenge! Here are a number of activities we'll be offering leading up the Zero Waste Week to help you out:

Activity Details Date/Location

Sort-A-Thon
  • 30 seconds to sort 30 common items into the right bins
  • Participate for a chance to win one of two zero waste prize packs (~$50 value each), a $50 gift card to Zero Waste Bulk, or 1 of 5 $10 WatCard top-ups 
  • One entry per person (see terms and conditions)
  • Main campus dates
    • Oct 7 (11:30am-1:30pm) - SLC Marketplace 
    • Oct 8 (11:30am-1:30pm) - AHS foyer by FRSH
    • Oct 9 (11:30am-1:30pm) - STC atrium 
    • Oct 10 (11:30am-1:30pm) - EV3 foyer 
  • Residence booth dates

Waste reduction quiz
  • Take the quiz!
  • Test your sorting smarts and find out if you're a Waste Warrior or a Recycling Rookie
  • Participate for a chance to win one of two zero waste prize packs (~$50 value each), a $50 gift card to Zero Waste Bulk, or 1 of 5 $10 WatCard top-ups
  • One entry per person (see terms and conditions)
  • Open online between Mon, Oct 7 at 8:00am and Fri, Oct 25 at 11:59pm

Lunch and Learn: Waste Management at UW 
  • Register for the Lunch and Learn on Eventbrite
  • Learn about global and local waste challenges
  • Find out what Waterloo is doing and how you can get involved
  • Mon, Oct 21 from 12-1pm in EC5 1111
  • Register on Eventbrite

FAQs

We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you prepare for Zero Waste Week. If your question wasn't answered here, please reach out to the Sustainability Office.

1. How do I register?

How do I register?

Visit our Zero Waste Challenge registration form to register for the challenge.

2. Where do I get a mason jar?

You can pick up a mason jar at several locations across campus:

  • Sustainability Office (EV1-301)
  • Sort-A-Thon pop-up booths across campus
  • Green Residence Ambassadors

3. Can I use my own jar?

Absolutely - we encourage it! Feel free to use any similar-sized jar or container you already own.

4. What goes in my jar?

Use your mason jar (or similar-sized container) to collect your waste destined for landfill. Place any recyclables or compostable material into the appropriate bin (e.g. recycling, green bin).

If you aren't sure where an item goes, start by checking out our A-Z Sorting Guide. If you still have questions, you can reach out the Sustainability Office! 

Please note: We do not recommend collecting personal hygiene products or biomedical waste in your jars; rather, dispose of those items in regular garbage bins. Feel free to make other exceptions as necessary.

5. Should I collect my waste on campus and at home?

Up to you! We encourage you to challenge yourself this week, but you can tailor the difficulty of the challenge as you'd like.

If you think it will be very easy to contain your waste from the work week in your mason jar, then try taking it one step further and including your waste from home. While the goal of the challenge is to keep your jar as empty as possible for the week, the more important insights are an understanding of how much and what kind of waste we generate on a weekly basis, even if all our items can't be contained in a jar.

6. How do I complete the follow-up survey?

If you provided your email on the registration form (and consent to email you), the Sustainability Office will send the link to the follow-up survey directly to your email. 

Otherwise, the link will be posted on this webpage and the Sustainability Office social media channels (@uwsustainable).

7. Where do I return my mason jar?

No need to return it after the challenge is over - you can save it for next year! However, mason jars can be returned to the Sustainability Office (EV1-301) if desired.

Terms and conditions

Zero Waste Challenge

Eligibility:

  • You must be a student or employee at the University of Waterloo, aged 18 years or older and residing in Ontario to be eligible for the prize draw.

Challenge Details:

  • The challenge starts on Monday, October 15, 2018. (Registration will open on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 8:00am.)
  • The follow-up survey will be open until Friday, October 26, 2018 at 11:59pm.
  • The registration form and follow-up survey will enter participants into the prize draw.
  • One entry per person.
  • No purchase is necessary. Participation is voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time. Alternate entry can be arranged by emailing Andrea Bale (abale@uwaterloo.ca)

Winner Selection:

  • The winners will be selected by random draw and notified by Tuesday, October 30, 2018.
  • The selected winner must answer a skill testing question correctly before obtaining the prize and being declared winner. If incorrectly answered, another entrant will be selected randomly. 
  • Selection of winners is randomized, where chances of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Sort-a-thon

Eligibility:

  • You must be a student or employee at the University of Waterloo, aged 18 years or older and residing in Ontario to be eligible for the prize draw.

Challenge Details:

  • The challenge starts on Friday, October 5, 2018, at various locations across campus.
  • Completion of the activity and provision of an @edu.uwaterloo.ca or @uwaterloo.ca email address will automatically enter the participant into the prize draw.
  • One entry per person.
  • No purchase is necessary. Participation is voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time. Alternate entry can be arranged by emailing Andrea Bale (abale@uwaterloo.ca)

Winner Selection:

  • The selected winners will be notified by Tuesday, October 30, 2018.
  • The selected winner must answer a skill testing question correctly before obtaining the prize and being declared winner. If incorrectly answered, another entrant will be selected randomly. 
  • Selection of winners is randomized, where chances of winning depend on the number of eligible participants.

Waste Reduction Quiz

Eligibility:

  • You must be a student or employee at the University of Waterloo, aged 18 years or older and residing in Ontario to be eligible for the prize draw.

Challenge Details:

  • The quiz will be available from Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 8:00am until Friday, October 19, 2018 at 11:59pm.
  • Completion of the quiz and provision of an @edu.uwaterloo.ca or @uwaterloo.ca email address will automatically enter the participant into the prize draw.
  • One entry per person.
  • No purchase is necessary. Participation is voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time. Alternate entry can be arranged by emailing Andrea Bale (abale@uwaterloo.ca)

Winner Selection:

  • The selected winners will be notified by Tuesday, October 30, 2018.
  • The selected winner must answer a skill testing question correctly before obtaining the prize and being declared winner. If incorrectly answered, another entrant will be selected randomly. 
  • Selection of winners is randomized, where chances of winning depend on the number of eligible participants.
Location Information
Location Address: Across campus
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON, CA