Zero Waste Coalition

Students can get involved in the Zero Waste movement on campus by joining the Zero Waste Coalition.

Berkeley Zero Waste Group

Mission

The Zero Waste Coalition aims to bring together waste-related organizations at UC Berkeley to improve communication between them, collaborate on initiatives, be a resource for zero waste on campus, and foster a zero waste community.

Zero Waste Coalition Initiatives 

  • Our monthly Coalition meetings bring together various campus organizations and departments working on zero waste projects, bridging these groups together and fostering collaboration.

  • Meetings are open to anyone with an interest in zero waste; fill out our interest form(link is external) for the time and location of our next meeting!

Cal Move Out

  • We organize Cooperative Reuse, an annual, city-wide furniture recycling program. In 2023, the program successfully diverted over 200,000 pounds of landfill waste and recycled nearly 400 mattresses. Additionally, we partnered with Goodwill and donated over 10,000 pounds of household goods.

Zero Waste Lab

  • In the fall of 2020, we started the Zero Waste Lab, which gives undergraduate students opportunities to participate in zero waste-related research projects with on-campus and off-campus stakeholders. 

  • Interested students can apply on the SPUR website

Zero Waste October

  • A month of educational programming aimed at engaging individuals at UC Berkeley in waste sorting and reduction efforts. Zero Waste October was initially started by a middle school teacher and her students in Marin County, California.

Zero Waste Leaders

Tatum Hurley, Zero Waste Coalition Vice Chair

Tatum Hurley

Zero Waste Coalition Chair

Tatum is in her third year studying Society and Environment and Ethnic Studies. She has been involved in zero waste efforts since her first semester at Berkeley, and works with Cal Zero Waste in addition to the Zero Waste Coalition. They are interested in sustainability from an environmental justice lens, and hope to continue to spread awareness about accessibility and equity in the zero waste movement. Outside of waste, Tatum works with the Othering and Belonging Institute. She also enjoys watching movies, checking out little free libraries, and exploring the Bay Area.

Tiffany Mar

Zero Waste Coalition Vice Chair

Tiffany is a third year student majoring in Society and Environment and minoring in Data Science. She is interested in exploring how community-driven solutions can solve pressing sustainability challenges. In the future, she would like to pursue a career at the intersection of technology and the environment where she can advocate for both people and the planet. She is excited to be a part of the Zero Waste Coalition and support zero waste efforts across campus! In her free time, Tiffany enjoys creating digital art, playing volleyball with friends, and picnicking on the Glade.

Sylvia Cheeseman

Zero Waste Coalition Education Chair

Sylvia Cheeseman is a second year studying Natural Resource Management and Conservation Resource Studies. They believe education and outreach are some of the most important parts of working towards a zero waste campus and they're excited to work to bring more awareness about the importance of zero waste and environmental justice to the community. Outside of Zero Waste, Sylvia is also involved in Cal Queer & Asian and the Wildlife Society at Berkeley, and runs an Etsy shop.

Do you have questions about Zero Waste? 

Check out this education doc that is a guide to all things zero waste at Cal!

Getting Involved in Zero Waste

Interested in Zero Waste on campus? Check out a few of the ZWC featured member organizations below & view the full list here

For more information on sustainability related courses and organizations, see the Student Environmental Resource Center's (SERC) New Student Resources.

CALPIRG Plastic-Free Seas

CALPIRG Students

CALPIRG is a student-run nonprofit committed to tackling climate change, protecting public health, and revitalizing democracy. The Plastic-Free Seas campaign is calling for campus, city, and statewide bans on single-use plastic.

SERC Zero Waste Research Center

SERC Zero Waste Research Center

The SERC Zero Waste Research Center researches and implements strategies for reducing campus waste, with a focus on purchasing, redesigning products, creating behavior change incentives, and instituting closed-loop “circular economy” waste systems. 

ReUSE

UC Berkeley ReUSE

ReUSE is a not-for-profit thrift store run by student volunteers, located in  the MLK Jr. Student Union. They accept donations of clothes, textbooks, office supplies, and other miscellaneous items which are cycled back into the community.

Contact

Zero Waste Coalition official email: zerowastecoalition@berkeley.edu

Meeting Time: During the academic year, the ZWC meets every three weeks on Wednesdays at 5 pm at the SERC Space. Fill out our Interest Form to join our bCal list!