Zero Waste

MAC-EPID events are Zero Waste Events. This means we have the goal of achieving as much waste diversion from the landfill as possible. You will notice all of our dishes and flatware are compostable and we serve food buffet style instead of individually packaged meals. Please help us by being mindful of where you place your waste, paying attention to signs and asking for help if you are unsure where something belongs.

Zero waste events are part of a campus-wide effort to reduce waste being sent to landfill. Roughly 35% of what is being sent to landfills is compostable material, much of this coming from University events. To propel the university closer to its goal of reducing waste sent to landfills by 40% by 2025, President Mark Schlissel announced in 2015 a plan for increased composting across campus including an expanded and institutionalized Zero Waste Events program to address food waste on campus. In striving for our own events to be zero waste, we can make a significant impact toward achieving the goal for waste reduction, as well as be a leader in shifting our campus toward a culture of sustainability.

Learn about UM's Zero Waste Program, view video.

Compostable items include:

• • Plates, napkins, forks, spoons, knives, cold cups, hot cups and wooden stir sticks.

  • All food scraps are compostable, even muffin wrappers and tea bags!

Not compostable is anything with metal or plastic (made from petrolium).

• • Plastic wrap, tin foil (recyclable), tea wrappers, or trail mix wrappers.