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Zero Waste

The Sustainability Office strives to engage the campus community and beyond in zero waste initiatives. Macalester currently uses the definition of zero waste as prescribed by the Zero Waste International Alliance. According to this definition, Macalester will be considered Zero Waste when the college regularly diverts 90% of all waste from a landfill or incinerator. Since implementing campus-wide composting in 2014, our campus diversion rates have improved from a 19.1% diversion rate in 2007 to a high of just over 80% in 2015 and 2016. The following is a list of current efforts the campus is doing to strive towards the goal of zero waste:

Ramsey County Zero Waste A to Z Green Guide

What Can I Recycle?

Waste Sorting Signage

More About Zero Waste On Campus

Mending and Repair Tutorials

Story Of Macalester’s Waste Streams 2025

Macalester Zero Waste Action Plan 2025