SU Among Top 10 Zero Waste Campuses in the U.S.

Seattle University has placed ninth on the Top 10 Zero Waste Campuses of 2024, receiving a Zero Waste Certification through the Post-Landfill Action Network’s (PLAN) Atlas Zero Waste program. This is SU’s first time making the list, which is now in its fourth year.

A national nonprofit organization that supports universities in achieving zero waste, PLAN takes a holistic approach to addressing the planet’s waste crisis.

Led by its Recycling Department, SU has received numerous awards for its innovative waste management programs, including a universal three-bin system and on-site composting facility. Earlier this year the university placed first among medium-sized colleges and universities and second among all institutions in the Campus Race to Zero Waste competition.

“We are gratified to be recognized for our ongoing efforts toward becoming a zero waste campus,” says Assistant Director of Grounds and Waste Management Shannon Britton. “In particular, I want to thank Facilities Recycle Lead Nathan Wolk and his team of student employees, Ian Van Eeuwen, Daniel Kasakula and Owen Daryani, for leading us in this important work.”

The university is committed to developing a zero waste road map as part of the Laudato Si Action Plan (2023) and in recent years has made strides toward this goal by convening a Zero Waste working group, creating a sustainable purchasing policy, switching to reusable to-go ware in its main dining facility. It has also completed a baseline study of nonhazardous waste with the support of “Zero Waste” student fellows Maya Patton, Mira Martin and Kylie Wong.

The full rankings and SU’s scorecard can be found at Top 10 Zero Waste Campuses.

Read more about the university’s composting and recycling efforts.