Blogs

Artists from around the UW created astounding art pieces from trash in the fourth annual Trash Art Contest.

UW Recycling received 23 submissions from UW students, faculty and staff. Five winning pieces were selected in three categories. The artwork needed to be created from items normally thought of as trash or a written work about waste and sustainability. Artists were asked to express feelings or ideas about waste, or a sustainability topic that relates to waste.

Earlier this month, several members of the UW Sustainability and Campus Sustainabilty Fund teams traveled to Oregon State University for the 2023 Washington & Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHESC). Around 400 people from across the region, including students, staff, faculty and community partners, came together to discuss the sustainability challenges we face and share ideas.

Our campus is defined largely by its buildings: the neo-gothic halls surrounding the quad, brutalist landmarks of cast-in-place concrete, new mass timber structures floating warmly by Denny lawn. Each new construction operates more efficiently than the last as Seattle’s energy and water codes and the University’s requirements continue to push for a more sustainable built environment.

There is an opportunity for students and young professionals to receive a complimentary pass to this summer's Circularity Conference in Seattle. The Circularity Emerging Leaders program aims to elevate, cultivate and support the next generation of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) leaders in the climate community. Its goal is to foster a community of sustainability professionals that is diverse and representative of the world in which we live.

The first Accelerator Showcase hosted by NextCycle Washington is happening in Kane Hall on March 23. The showcase will feature 15 Washington-based business and organizations pitching reuse, repair, recycling, and composting projects. Teams are competing for monetary awards, as well as recognition and networking opportunities.

UW Sustainability's "In Our Nature" podcast's latest episode is a discussion with UW Recycling's Adam Fehn. Adam joined us for a discussion on how to properly recycle and compost, as well as waste reduction goals and efforts at the University of Washington.

Learn more about UW Recycling on their website or follow @uwrecycling on Instagram.

The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) is holding holding their summer undergraduate leadership program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong this summer from June 25 to July 6. The theme for this year is "Leadership for Sustainable Cities Development."

The PreCycle Innovation Challenge offers free training and cash prizes for students who have an idea to reduce waste in Washington through innovative entrepreneurship.

Campus Race to Zero Waste (CRZW) starts this week at the University of Washington! For the eleventh year, the UW will be participating in the friendly recycling and waste reduction competition between colleges and universities. As part of CRZW, UW Recycling is organizing activities to focus on good waste sorting practices. Here are some ways you can get involved.

UW Recycling is excited to host another Trash Art Contest for 2023!

Categories include literature, 2D and 3D art. Participants must create an art piece from items normally thought of as trash or a literary piece about waste. Art pieces should express feelings or ideas about waste, or a sustainability topic that relates to waste. This contest is open to all UW students, faculty and staff.

Submissions are due March 22, 2023 at 4 p.m. PST. Winners for each category will receive $100 or $50 gift cards to a low waste store.