The Campus Race to Zero Waste

Formerly known as RecycleMania, the Campus Race to Zero Waste is an annual 8-week competition, which challenges colleges and universities across the United States and Canada to collect the largest volume of recyclable materials. The goals of the competition are to benchmark our school’s recycling and waste reduction efforts against other campuses, reduce waste, lower the school’s environmental footprint, and to generate attention and support for recycling and waste reduction programs.

2024 Competition

Each week, the university’s waste data is entered into the competition dashboard and results will be given periodically throughout the competition.  During the 2024 competition, the university will participate in the following categories:

• Diversion - Recyclables, food organics, and trash weights reported
• Per Capita - Recyclable weights reported (no trash weights)
• Food Organics - Food waste and any organic materials handled alongside total food waste reported. Organics generated in office and campus residential settings and special events can be included in addition to what is collected from dining facilities. 
• Electronics Recycling - Competition based on collection of scrap electronics over one-month period.

UMD's 2023 Competition Highlights

• Diverted 42% of waste away from the landfill (into recycling or compost), ranking #1 in Maryland, # in the Big10, and #24 nationally!
• Ranked #25 nationally in the Food Organics category through composting and food waste minimization practices. 

The chart below shows the last five years of competition results.

This year we are looking to do even better and we need YOUR help! Visit recycle.umd.edu for proper waste sorting techniques. 

Recycling/composting tips are shared through social media: Be sure to follow @TerpsRecycle and @SustainableUMD on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram!