THE ZW CHALLENGE

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

RULES

The rules of the Zero Waste Challenge are simple. You are responsible for every material that passes through your hands. If it goes into the landfill then it is two points, if it goes into the recycling bin then it is 1 point, and if it compostable and you actually put it into a composting bin it is zero points.

The point system is like golf - the least amount of points wins.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the game is to generate the least amount of trash over a 2 week time period. That is only 14 days...you can do it.

WHO SHOULD PLAY?

This game is for all ages. You can play it with your family, within your office, and/or with all your friends.

PRIZES

One of the best ways to kick-start the journey to create new habits is to establish a reward for changed behavior.  Select a reward that is meaningful and valuable to you and your group so that your peeps are driven to win and participate.  After the two weeks, the person who has the least points wins the prize. Winner takes all!   

Examples of prizes include: $200 gift card, Carwash, Cooking a Fancy Dinner, Massage, House Cleaning, Bragging Rights

HONOR CODE

Everyone is responsible for keeping their own score, and to play by the honor system.  Points can be tracked via the ZW CHALLENGE TRACKER.  This spreadsheet can be posted on the cloud (eg dropbox or google docs) so that everyone participating can update their scores and see progress in real-time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT IS RECYCLABLE AND WHAT IS COMMERCIALLY COMPOSTABLE HERE.

EXAMPLES OF 2 PT ITEMS

All materials bound for landfill

  • Produce stickers
  • Cellophane wrappers
  • Granola bar wrappers, or snack packaging
  • Almost all flexible-film packaging you’ll find at the grocery store
  • Stand-up pouches
  • Plastic utensils
  • STRAWS!
  • Styrofoam
  • To-go coffee and soda cups
  • Receipts

EXAMPLES OF 1 PT ITEMS

All recyclable materials that can be processed by your local recycling facility

  • Plastic water bottles and containers (Check to see if it has recycling symbol 1, 2, 4, OR 5 on the container, otherwise…its two-points and trash)
  • Aluminium Cans
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Paper cups
  • Paper
  • Cereal cartons

 

EXAMPLES OF 0 PT ITEMS

 All materials that are compostable and placed in compost bin

  • All food scraps (for backyard compost do not include meat, but for curb-side composting meat may be included)
  • Napkins and greasy paper products
  • Plants and plant fiber
  • Compostable single-use cups, containers, straws and utensils (Must say “Certified compostable” on the item)

TIPS

  • Contact your local waste management company to find out which items are recyclable or compostable through your curb-side pick-ups or drop-off locations. If either recycling or composting is not available in your area…give them hell.
  • If your city doesn’t provide curb-side compost pick up, either start your own in your back yard, or find a local composter in your area. LEARN HOW TO MAKE ONE HERE
  • Build your own ZW kit including: metal/wooden utensils, glass jar with lid, cloth napkins, cloth sacks for bulk produce, reusable grocery bag, metal/glass straw, etc. LEARN MORE ABOUT BUILDING YOUR OWN ZWKIT, OR BUY THE RIS ZWKIT
  • Keep all the trash you create (items that cannot be recycled and composted) visible, and store it in a large jar or other container until the end of the challenge.  This will give you perspective of how much waste you create over time.
  • Take pictures of the waste you create every day and post in on Instagram or twitter, tag it with #myZWchallenge and #recyclingissexy