Using fair and friendly competition, Race to Zero Waste (formerly Recycle Mania) provides tools and opportunities that inspire, empower, and mobilize colleges and universities to benchmark and improve efforts to reduce or eliminate waste.
Race to Zero Waste is an eight-week competition between more than 600 colleges across the United States and Canada report the amount of recycling and trash collected each week and are in turn ranked in various categories based on who recycles the most on a per capita basis, as well as which schools have the best recycling rate as a percentage of total waste and which schools generate the least amount of combined trash and recycling.
Participating colleges and universities report recycling and trash data on a weekly basis throughout the competition and are ranked within several categories. Northwest is making the transition back to the Competitive Division in the following categories:
Competition Categories:
For the last 20 years Northwest has been collecting recyclables from campus. Based on the need for the paper required for producing fuel pellets for alternative energy, the University has been committed to capturing as many recyclables as possible. In the past year Facility Services has expanded its recycling effort include food service organics, scrap metals, and a redesign of waste collection and tracking. This effort not only reduces expenses and further minimizes Northwest’s environmental impact; it is the first step toward Zero Waste.
Check the status of this years competition at campusracetozerowaste.org
View PAst Competition ResultsRace to Zero Totals: 3.9 million pounds
| Category | During Competition | National Rank | Campus Totals for FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diversion Rate | 28.50% | 58 | 57.93% |
| Per Capita Division | 1.065 lbs | 113 | - |
| Food Organics Diverted Score | 55.00 | 47 | - |
| Food Organics Diverted Pounds | 26,760 | - | 189,500 lbs |
All Participants/Total Diversion Pounds: 28,914,583 pounds
| Category | During Competition | National Rank | Campus Totals for FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diversion Rate | 33.71% | 49 | 71.09% |
| Per Capita Division | 3.766 lbs | 86 | -- |
| Food Organics Diverted Pounds | 43,740 lbs | -- | 178,000 lbs |
RecycleMania 2020 Competition Impact:
The abbreviated contest still had a big impact Thank you for your participation!
| FY Totals | Bottles & Cans | Cardboard & paper | Food service organics | (5wk.) Competition Diversion | (2wk.) Pre-Season Diversion | Total Diversion | Total Diversion % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4,180 lbs. | 8,040 lbs. | 16,950 lbs. | 29,170 lbs. | 14,048 lbs. | 43,218 lbs. | 43.2% |
| Dates | Bottles & Cans Lbs. | Cardboard Lbs. | Paper Lbs. | Trash Lbs. | Compost Lbs. | Diversion Lbs. | Total Diversion % | Total Waste Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/2019 - 01/26/2019 | 340 | 1,200 | 1,600 | 8,810 | 3,820 | 3,140 | - | - |
| 01/27/2019 - 02/02/2019 | 600 | 2,100 | 3,100 | 6,675 | 3,500 | 5,800 | - | - |
| 02/03/2019 - 02/09/2019 | 3,340 | 2,600 | 2,600 | 12,920 | 780 | 8,540 | - | - |
| 02/10/2019 - 02/16/2019 | 720 | 4,425 | 4,425 | 16,380 | 4,810 | 9,570 | - | - |
| 02/17/2019 - 02/23/2019 | 540 | 2,900 | 2,900 | 12,470 | 3,240 | 6,340 | - | - |
| 02/24/2019 - 03/02/2019 | 1,920 | 1,825 | 1,825 | 17,080 | 6,100 | 5,570 | - | - |
| 03/03/2019 - 03/09/2019 | 850 | 1,450 | 1,450 | 17,790 | 5,500 | 3,750 | - | - |
| 03/10/2019 - 03/16/2019 | 1,130 | 1,875 | 1,875 | 13,150 | 4,430 | 4,880 | - | - |
| 03/17/2019 - 03/23/2019 | 1,410 | 1,740 | 1,740 | 22,360 | 5,390 | 4,890 | - | - |
| 03/24/2019 - 03/30/2019 | 2,220 | 3,275 | 3,275 | 12,620 | 2,160 | 8,770 | - | - |
| Totals: | 13,070 | 23,390 | 24,790 | 140,255 | 39,730 | 61,250 | 30.40% | 201,505 |
Landfill Savings: $1,470.00
| Dates | Bottles & Cans Lbs. | Cardboard Lbs. | Paper Lbs. | Trash Lbs. | Compost Lbs. | Diversion Lbs. | Total Diversion % | Total Waste Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/2018 - 01/26/2018 | 600 | 6,835 | 6,835 | 31,450 | 13,130 | 14,270 | - | - |
| 01/27/2018 - 02/02/2018 | 460 | 2,800 | 2,260 | 8,700 | 2,320 | 5,520 | - | - |
| 02/03/2018 - 02/09/2018 | 1,450 | 2,650 | 2,490 | 17,070 | 6,160 | 6,590 | - | - |
| 02/10/2018 - 02/16/2018 | 2,010 | 3,100 | 3,270 | 19,170 | 7,160 | 8,380 | - | - |
| 02/17/2018 - 02/23/2018 | 720 | 1,475 | 1,475 | 20,270 | 7,640 | 3,670 | - | - |
| 02/24/2018 - 03/02/2018 | 730 | 4,285 | 4,200 | 21,370 | 4,880 | 9,215 | - | - |
| 03/03/2018 - 03/09/2018 | 3,950 | 2,800 | 2,800 | 11,890 | 8,650 | 9,550 | - | - |
| 03/10/2018 - 03/16/2018 | 670 | 3,440 | 2,290 | 21,200 | 7,500 | 6,400 | - | - |
| 03/17/2018 - 03/23/2018 | 1,720 | 3,250 | 3,250 | 16,500 | 1,690 | 8,220 | - | - |
| 03/24/2018 - 03/30/2018 | 810 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 23,450 | 5,600 | 5,610 | - | - |
| Totals: | 13,120 | 33,035 | 31,270 | 191,070 | 64,730 | 77,425 | 29.30% | 268,495 |
Landfill Savings: $1,858.20
| Dates | Bottles & Cans Lbs. | Cardboard Lbs. | Paper Lbs. | Trash Lbs. | Compost Lbs. | Diversion Lbs. | Total Diversion % | Total Waste Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/2017 - 01/26/2017 | 1,260 | 2,825 | 2,825 | 21,030 | 6,650 | 6,910 | - | - |
| 01/27/2017 - 02/02/2017 | - | 1,400 | 1,400 | 26,556 | 9,600 | 2,800 | - | - |
| 02/03/2017 - 02/09/2017 | 1,880 | 2,720 | 2,720 | 21,270 | 10,020 | 7,320 | - | - |
| 02/10/2017 - 02/16/2017 | 500 | 2,620 | 2,460 | 14,440 | 6,870 | 5,580 | - | - |
| 02/17/2017 - 02/23/2017 | 2,140 | 3,950 | 3,950 | 28,420 | 13,510 | 10,040 | - | - |
| 02/24/2017 - 03/02/2017 | 280 | 1,750 | 1,750 | 13,110 | 9,810 | 3,780 | - | - |
| 03/03/2017 - 03/09/2017 | 220 | 3,295 | 3,295 | 20,000 | 10,890 | 6,810 | - | - |
| 03/10/2017 - 03/16/2017 | 460 | 2,955 | 2,955 | 21,720 | 11,380 | 6,370 | - | - |
| 03/17/2017 - 03/23/2017 | 460 | 3,440 | 3,440 | 17,820 | 8,540 | 7,340 | - | - |
| 03/24/2017 - 03/30/2017 | 1,240 | 1,325 | 1,325 | 5,450 | 4,670 | 3,890 | - | - |
| Totals: | 8,440 | 26,280 | 26,120 | 189,816 | 91,940 | 60,840 | 24.30% | 250,656 |
Landfill Savings: $1,460.16
| Dates | Bottles & Cans Lbs. | Cardboard Lbs. | Paper Lbs. | Trash Lbs. | Compost Lbs. | Diversion Lbs. | Total Diversion % | Total Waste Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/2016 - 01/26/2016 | 1,140 | 2,950 | 2,950 | 19,180 | 8,950 | 7,040 | - | - |
| 01/27/2016 - 02/02/2016 | 620 | 2,820 | 2,820 | 21,310 | 6,660 | 6,260 | - | - |
| 02/03/2016 - 02/09/2016 | 600 | 4,050 | 4,050 | 20,500 | 9,750 | 8,700 | - | - |
| 02/10/2016 - 02/16/2016 | 1,780 | 2,305 | 2,305 | 22,580 | 9,210 | 6,390 | - | - |
| 02/17/2016 - 02/23/2016 | 1,870 | 1,440 | 1,440 | 28,000 | 11,550 | 4,750 | - | - |
| 02/24/2016 - 03/02/2016 | 1,870 | 2,530 | 2,030 | 20,280 | 8,560 | 6,430 | - | - |
| 03/03/2016 - 03/09/2016 | 460 | 980 | 980 | 19,960 | 4,340 | 2,420 | - | - |
| 03/10/2016 - 03/16/2016 | 500 | 1,760 | 1,000 | 22,330 | 7,710 | 3,260 | - | - |
| 03/17/2016 - 03/23/2016 | - | 1,350 | 1,350 | 8,000 | 450 | 2,700 | - | - |
| 03/24/2016 - 03/30/2016 | 1,490 | 3,650 | 3,930 | 12,270 | 11,080 | 9,070 | - | - |
| Totals: | 10,330 | 23,835 | 22,855 | 194,410 | 78,260 | 57,020 | 22.70% | 251,430 |
Landfill Savings: $1,368.48
In 2015 Northwest, for thefourth year, entered the Recyclemania Competition Divisionin Food Service Organics (46th overall) and Cans & Bottles (44th overall). During the eight week competition, not only did Northwest divert44,680 lbs. of food waste from the landfill, it also diverted 8,148 lbs. of cans and bottles.During the competition period, Northwest also diverted 55,910 lbs. mixed paper for use by the alternative fuel pelletizing operation (Waste to Energy is not included by official RecycleMania guidelines).
At the completion of the 8 week competition period, the 108,738 lbs. of Food, Paper, and Recyclables collected brought Northwest Missouri State's total waste diversion rate to 43.7%.
While again there were no first place grand prize trophies for our 2015 efforts, it should be noted that of the Missouri universities competing in the Food Service Organics category, Northwest was #1.
| University | Rank |
|---|---|
| Northwest Missouri State University | 46 |
| Washington University | 78 |
| Missouri State University | 97 |
| Maryville University of St. Louis | 102 |
| UMKC | 117 |
| MU Columbia | 123 |
CONGRATULATIONS!
The 7 Missouri universities competing in 2015 diverted1,568,698 lbs. or 1785.35 tons of waste from the landfill in just 8 weeks!
| Dates | Bottles & Cans Lbs. | Cardboard Lbs. | Paper Lbs. | Trash Lbs. | Compost Lbs. | Diversion Lbs. | Total Diversion % | Total Waste Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/2015 - 01/26/2015 | 500 | 1,740 | 4,060 | 20,870 | 5,510 | 6,300 | - | - |
| 01/27/2015 - 02/02/2015 | 1,720 | 2,090 | 4,870 | 21,250 | 7,460 | 8,680 | - | - |
| 02/03/2015 - 02/09/2015 | 650 | 2,100 | 5,560 | 24,770 | 5,840 | 8,310 | - | - |
| 02/10/2015 - 02/16/2015 | 1,240 | 1,710 | 3,990 | 17,680 | 8,050 | 6,940 | - | - |
| 02/17/2015 - 02/23/2015 | 990 | 1,790 | 4,170 | 15,680 | 4,260 | 6,950 | - | - |
| 02/24/2015 - 03/02/2015 | 1,050 | 3,330 | 6,610 | 13,790 | 4,710 | 10,990 | - | - |
| 03/03/2015 - 03/09/2015 | 1,175 | 2,640 | 6,160 | 23,420 | 8,760 | 9,975 | - | - |
| 03/10/2015 - 03/16/2015 | 740 | 1,690 | 3,940 | 13,630 | 5,940 | 6,370 | - | - |
| 03/17/2015 - 03/23/2015 | 1,010 | 2,380 | 5,540 | 14,430 | 6,010 | 8,930 | - | - |
| 03/24/2015 - 03/30/2015 | 1,370 | 1,290 | 3,010 | 7,530 | 1,520 | 5,670 | - | - |
| Totals: | 10,445 | 20,760 | 47,910 | 173,050 | 58,060 | 79,115 | 31.40% | 252,165 |
Landfill Savings: $1,898.76
| Dates | Bottles & Cans Lbs. | Cardboard Lbs. | Paper Lbs. | Trash Lbs. | Compost Lbs. | Diversion Lbs. | Total Diversion % | Total Waste Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/2014 - 01/26/2014 | 860 | 3,350 | 3,350 | 21,890 | 6,680 | 7,560 | - | - |
| 01/27/2014 - 02/02/2014 | 350 | 3,510 | 3,510 | 13,670 | 9,350 | 7,370 | - | - |
| 02/03/2014 - 02/09/2014 | - | 1,725 | 1,725 | 13,390 | 4,710 | 3,450 | - | - |
| 02/10/2014 - 02/16/2014 | 940 | 3,185 | 3,185 | 8,710 | 8,960 | 7,310 | - | - |
| 02/17/2014 - 02/23/2014 | 310 | 4,400 | 4,400 | 7,690 | 6,340 | 9,110 | - | - |
| 02/24/2014 - 03/02/2014 | 1,950 | 2,090 | 2,090 | 22,080 | 3,350 | 6,130 | - | - |
| 03/03/2014 - 03/09/2014 | - | 2,000 | 2,000 | 21,560 | 6,710 | 4,000 | - | - |
| 03/10/2014 - 03/16/2014 | 210 | 4,290 | 4,290 | 16,700 | 9,530 | 8,790 | - | - |
| 03/17/2014 - 03/23/2014 | - | 3,860 | 3,860 | 19,540 | 7,350 | 7,720 | - | - |
| 03/24/2014 - 03/30/2014 | 1,060 | 3,175 | 3,175 | 16,000 | - | 7,410 | - | - |
| Totals: | 5,680 | 31,585 | 31,585 | 161,230 | 62,980 | 68,850 | 29.90% | 230,080 |
Landfill Savings: $1,652.40
