What is #ZeroWasteMonth?
#ZeroWasteMonth, previously called #ZeroWasteActionMonth, is an annual campaign put on by Race to Zero Waste. During Zero Waste Month, we turn the Race to Zero Waste into a SPRINT! Join in every October to make an extra effort, try something new in your journey toward zero waste, and share on social media!
Throughout #ZeroWasteMonth, we highlight expert voices and advocacy groups that are advancing the zero waste mission. We also discuss equity and accessibility concerns within the zero waste movement.
Each week during Zero Waste Month, we focus on a theme to guide the conversation and provide some ideas. During each weekly theme (see below ‘What are the weekly themes?’) we share educational content and starter tips, we dive a little deeper with expert interviews, and we ask participants to share their experiences and get involved in their community!
To participate in this social campaign, share your zero waste actions on social media using the hashtag #ZeroWasteMonth! Invite your friends and community to join in!
Why did R20W start Zero Waste Month?
The metaphorical Race to Zero Waste is an ultra marathon. #ZeroWasteMonth is a global grassroots campaign that brings our actions together to encourage each other! We share ideas and can dig a little deeper and make an extra effort during the month! Each post inspires us with small actions and big initiatives that we can support. We may even begin to implement change in our own communities, and bring new people into the zero waste movement. Since we know there can be fluctuations in our motivation to keep going or to try out new things, #ZeroWasteMonth is for sharing your efforts and getting excited about collective action!
What are the weekly themes?
Our weekly themes during Zero Waste Month have covered topics like Reuse and Repair, Compost, Environmental Justice, Waste Colonialism, Grassroots Movements, Building Equitable Zero Waste Coalitions, and more. Check out the recordings of the weekly interviews on our Youtube channel.
The themes are meant to offer guidance for the kinds of actions that you can take and provide some education around topics that you may not have previously connected with zero waste. They aren’t a rule or a law of what you must post about during the campaign! We chose these themes to be an inspirational mix of relatively easy individual actions and more community-wide advocacy actions. Take what you like, leave what you don’t, just share your actions with us using #ZeroWasteMonth!
Why should I participate?
By participating in #ZeroWasteMonth, you are helping to make it clear that the public (that’s all of us!) is shifting our perspective away from a consumer society to one that is conscientious of our resource use and how it affects other communities around the world. This shift in public opinion is what informs businesses and politicians that they need to start making changes!
How do I participate?
It’s easy! To participate in this global social campaign, share your zero waste actions on social media using the hashtag #ZeroWasteMonth! Don’t forget to tag us @racetozerowaste on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and/or LinkedIn! Invite your friends and community to join the SPRINT!
Need some ideas?
The weekly themes might inspire you, or you can use the 7 Rs below! You can also check out our blogs!
Did you learn something new about zero waste? Share it! We can learn, too!
Did you #refuse something with unsustainable packaging? Share it! We can celebrate those wins!
Did you #reduce your food waste by getting creative with leftovers? Share it!
Did you #re-earth by starting a compost bin or keeping a successful one? Share your technique!
Did you #reuse an old lonely sock to fix your mop head to your broken mop handle? (true story)
Did you #repair a shirt seam or a loose button on a clothing item? Share it!
Did you #repurpose an old soup pot into a drumset for your kid? Share those tunes!
Did you find a new way to #recycle materials and make them into something else? Share it!
Zero Waste Month supporters and collaborating partners
Thank you to all of our participants, and a special thanks to our collaborating partners who help spread the word about this campaign and the amazing interviewees who are joining us for the expert interview series!
PRC – Pennsylvania Resources Council
South Baltimore Community Land Trust
Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN)
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
National Stewardship Action Council
Northern California Recycling Association NCRA
