Zero Waste & Sustainability Outreach Efforts in Action at OPERS Fest

UCSC's numerous sustainability organizations were well represented at OPERS Fest this year on September 20, with students tabling about topics such as sustainable food systems, water conservation, native plant restoration, natural history, seed saving, waste reduction, sustainable engineering, and more. 

Behind the scenes, our very own Zero Waste Team and OPERS student staff were hard at work ensuring that waste from the event was disposed of properly. The Zero Waste Team projected before the event that as much as 98% of waste from OPERS Fest could be diverted from landfills. The survey conducted after the event revealed that actual waste diversion was near that goal, with 97% of waste diverted into compost or recycling instead of the landfill!

These UCSC students took a sustainability pledge to reduce their plastic waste by always using a reusable water bottle. The purpose of the sustainability pledge is to get people thinking about ways they can further incorporate sustainability into their daily lives. It's a pledge to make one small change, which can inspire others so that collectively, we're changing the world. You can check out more pledges and pictures from OPERS Fest on Facebook.

Active zero waste efforts like the monitored 4-part waste station at OPERS Fest are instrumental in driving UCSC towards its goal of campuswide zero waste by 2020. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Sustainability Tent, composted their food scraps, and helped host this fantastic, annual zero waste event!