Departments and Organizations Can Now Host Zero Waste Events

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The Office for Sustainability has launched a new resource to help the University of Arkansas achieve its goal of becoming a zero waste institution by 2021.

The office has developed a process for any department or organization to host Zero Waste Events. The process consists of three simple steps: Register, Host, and Report. Event planners can visit the new Zero Waste Events webpage to access all the information they will need. The Zero Waste Event webpage provides a useful guide to hosting a successful Zero Waste Event, including signs for print.

Zero Waste Events are those that divert 90 percent or more of the total waste from landfill disposal. Event planners only need to complete the registration form to inform the Office for Sustainability of their upcoming event and to schedule necessary equipment. The Office for Sustainability provides ClearStream recycling containers, scales and other materials for checkout, free of charge. In addition, OFS interns are available to consult with event planners in regards to hosting a Zero Waste Event. These events provide students, faculty and staff an opportunity to have a positive impact on the environment and to help the UA achieve its sustainability goals.

The Office for Sustainability will help to promote all Zero Waste Events using social media. Departments and organizations that achieve successful Zero Waste Events will be featured on a Zero Waste Hall of Fame webpage in recognition of their efforts.

 The University of Arkansas signed The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment in 2007. As part of this commitment, the UA committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2040 and zero waste by 2021. The Office for Sustainability has implemented two strategies, aversion and diversion, to help the university achieve this goal. Aversion prevents waste before it happens through source reduction and recovery. Diversion keeps waste out of the landfill through recycling and composting.

 "It is our hope that the Zero Waste Event program will lead to an increase in awareness of our solid waste challenges across campus," said Carlos Ochoa, director of the Office for Sustainability.

For more information, please visit sustainability.uark.edu/zerowaste/zero-waste-events or contact the Office for Sustainability at 417-575-4784 or sustain@uark.edu.