Low-waste lifestyle challenges

Many people are interested in taking steps to prevent waste, recycle, and compost more but aren't sure where to start.

Our low-waste lifestyle challenges will help you learn more, connect you with resources to help you reach your goals, and provide support and motivation along the way. There are three opportunities to get involved:

• A fully online, month-long Save Food, Spend Less Challenge has unlimited participation and directs households to focus on actions to prevent wasting food.
• A fully online, month-long Plastic-Free Challenge has unlimited participation and directs households to focus on actions to reduce single-use plastics.
• The Zero Waste Challenge is open to approximately 50 households per round. This challenge offers one-on-one support and accountability from trained waste experts.

Save Food, Spend Less Challenge

The average family of four could save $3,000 a year by using up the food they buy.

The online Save Food, Spend Less Challenge will help you improve your skills in cooking, planning, shopping, and storage to save time, money, and resources. The challenge has more than 60 actions to choose from in six categories.

This challenge was formerly called Stop Food Waste Challenge and was held in August. The challenge was renamed to show the many benefits of keeping food out of the trash and was moved to start during national Food Waste Prevention week.

Participate

The challenge will take place October 1-31. Registration will open in September.

Information on becoming a partner and promotional resources will be available in August.

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Plastic-Free Challenge

Kickstart your plastic-free journey and be part of the solution to reduce waste, protect water and wildlife, address climate change, and look after the health of ourselves and future generations by joining the online Plastic-Free Challenge. The challenge has more than 80 actions to choose from in eight categories.

Participate

The Plastic-Free Challenge takes place February 1-28 with registration open in January.

Get email updates

Sign up below to be notified about future challenges.

Zero Waste Challenge

The Zero Waste Challenge provides personalized help to households to assess the waste they generate, set waste reduction goals, and make low-waste lifestyle changes.

Throughout the challenge, participating households develop a personalized waste reduction plan, receive one-on-one coaching and support, attend educational workshops, receive waste reduction tips, get access to supplies and educational materials, and connect with other households.

Participate

We are currently evaluating this challenge.

Get email updates

Sign up below to be notified about future challenges.