Campus Race to Zero Waste - Environment at CMU

Environment at CMU › Recycling and Waste Management › Campus Race to Zero Waste

The Campus Race to Zero Waste (CR2ZW) is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for colleges and universities to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. Over an 8-week period, CMU tracks the weights of how much we throw out, how much food we donate, and how much we recycle. With the goal of increasing our diversion and recycling rates throughout the competition!

While the competition is just 8 weeks each February and March, you can participate all year by consuming less, reusing more, and choosing to recycle or compost when you can.

The 2026 competition is from February 1 - March 28. Want to be involved? Check out the schedule of events:

2026 EVENTS

During the 8 week competition there will be activities, events, and promotions to encourage the campus community to reduce their race. Check back here or follow the @CMUGreenPractices Instagram page for updates and event details.

CR2ZW Kick-off Tabling and Giveaways!
February 2-6 at various times
Cohon University Center, outside Connan
Stop by the CUC to play a fun game, make a tote bag, pick up some great swag, and learn about the CR2ZW competition and events.

Upcycle Valentine Make and Take
February 13, from 1-3pm
Sustainability Studio, main floor of Hunt Library
Join us to make a Valentine’s Day Card out of recycled materials! We will provide old craft materials and other various items destined for the landfill for your creation. Dive into creativity, make memories, and express your love with an eco-friendly work of art!

Tartan Trade-Up Tuesday
February 17 and 24, from noon-5pm
Alumni House
Clear out something you don’t use and help someone who will. During two Tartan Tuesdays in February, CR2ZW is collaborating with the Alumni Association. Bring one clean, usable donation item and earn extra Tartan Points. Accepted donations include clothing, books, dorm essentials, office supplies — if someone else can use it, it’s welcome. All donations support CMU’s thrift and reuse programs.

Paper Making
March 12, from 6-8pm
Margaret Morrison Carnegie Hall, room 303
Drop by to make paper!

RANKINGS AND COMPETITIONS

CR2ZW offers different levels of reporting for participation in the 8-week competition. CMU will compete in national competitions in the following categories:

Diversion Category - the school with the highest waste diversion percentage. Diversion is determined by the percentage of the total weight of recyclables and food organics diverted from total waste generated.
Stephen K Gaski Per Capita Classic - the school that collects the largest combined amount of paper, cardboard, and bottles and cans on a per person basis.
Food Organics - points are awarded for food waste minimization activities and the amount of food that is diverted from the landfill.

There are also special, one-time reporting categories. CMU often competes in the national Case Study Competition, where schools share their best practices in promoting and improving recycling and waste reduction on campus.

Visit campusracetozerowaste.org for more information about the national competition.

2026 EVENTS

RANKINGS AND COMPETITIONS

RECENT RESULTS