Collaborative Campus Efforts Power Zero Waste Success
As another CU Football season comes to a close, it is important to recognize the sustainability efforts taking place under the bleachers. This essential work is made possible through the collaboration of the Environmental Center, CU Athletics, Facilities Management, and a committed group of volunteers and student workers. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as CU Boulder has been recognized for its leadership in sustainability and waste diversion by winning the National Wildlife Federation Gameday Zero Waste Challenge for Most Recycling Generated Per Capita at a football game!
How much material did we divert?
99,499 pounds! That’s roughly the weight of 125 Ralphies—all successfully hand-sorted and kept out of landfills.
Click here to learn more.
Did you know that human hands sort your post game waste?
This season, Ralphie’s Green Stampede partnered with CU Athletics, Levy Restaurants, Facilities Management, and A1 Organics to hand-sort food waste and CMA certified compostables, ensuring that only the pre-approved materials made it into the compost stream. Eco-Products, an official sponsor of Ralphie’s Green Stampede, was able to help Levy Restaurants switch their packaging to all CMA certified materials. CMA certified compostable products are verified to break down properly in industrial composting facilities. Thanks to the dedication of our team, 17,442 pounds of organic material were hand sorted and successfully composted this season.
As we all adapt to the new collection guidelines for compost in the Front Range, CU is looking for opportunities to expand food waste composting access across campus. If your residence or office is interested in composting food waste, sign up here to request a compost bin. To keep up on CU's composting program efforts, check out our Zero Waste webpage.
Join the sustainable stampede!
If you're interested in helping make CU Football and other campus events zero waste, sign up to volunteer through CU Serves. Join a community of passionate and welcoming people, whether you're studying to help the environment, passionate about Zero Waste, or just looking for something to do; join the ranks of Sustainable Buffs and tell us what you find in the trash!
Over 70 student staff and 100 volunteers help make Zero Waste happen at CU. You can be part of the team at upcoming events like:
- The Move Out Donation Drive
- The Spring Football Game