May 13, 2026
Help make trash a thing of the past
We're on a mission to reduce waste as much as possible as quickly as possible, join us!
The Zero Waste Starter Series
Get 5 emails with practical steps, helpful frameworks, and the data behind what actually works.
I believe that decreasing food waste helps multiple communities and aspects of our environment; going beyond the environmental impact and into the social side! If food can be donated or parts of food that are typically thrown out are utilized elsewhere, why not contribute to the cause?
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Yohan
Joined 6 days ago
I would like to reduce waste that has to be put in the trash pickup and find better ways of handling it.
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Lynn L.
Joined 1 day ago
To care for the planet and reduce my footprint. To be able to protect and enjoy nature.
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rcstern96
Joined 3 days ago
We are always looking to learn something new about zero waste living and want to utilize and support the new Scio township compost drop off program.
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Laura R.
Joined 4 days ago
Saving money, food and the planet. Eating more consciously. Learning.
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Olas
Joined 5 days ago
We all need to work together to protect our Earth for generations to come. This is part of my contribution to protect.
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Ann V.
Joined 5 days ago
Reducing waste and living eco-friendly is just the right way to do it. I pride myself on how little actual trash I have each week. I love the Scio compost drop off.
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Zach N.
Joined 5 days ago
I think that I can do better every time I take the garbage out and see others’ garbage cans. We can do better!
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Scott
Joined 6 days ago
To live better within planetary boundaries.
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Samuel
Joined 4 months ago
I care a lot about the future of my community, especially for my young son who will inherit it. I know sustainable choices are a big part of it, as are advocacy by folks like those who run the ESTF and by Zero Waste generally!
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Molly M.
Joined 7 days ago
I hate waste!
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Liz G.
Joined 1 day ago
Waste, particularly food waste, is such a problem, and a lot of it has to do with accessibility to resources to combat food waste. I want to do my part not only in reducing my own waste, but supporting programs like this that make things like composting more accessible to all.
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Sophia
Joined 2 days ago
I care about this because composting food waste is an easy but important way to help our planet.
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Ann N.
Joined 4 days ago
I want to reduce my grocery budget, and my carbon budget.
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Samuel
Joined about 2 months ago
I avoid waste in all parts of my life, leading me to recycling, reusing, and reducing. Scio Township is making this easier for me.
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Emily T.
Joined 5 days ago
To avoid adding to landfills.
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Susan S.
Joined 5 days ago
If we all only ate sustainably, there is more than enough food for everyone on the planet so I want to make sure I consume only what is needed for a healthy body and encourage others to not overeat as well. We can reduce the need for excess agribusiness if we all only eat what we need.
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Lisabeth
Joined 5 days ago
We are killing planet earth with all of our waste that does not decompose and stays around for decades. I try to re-use and recycle everything I can!
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Beth L.
Joined 6 days ago
I'd love to learn how to use more of my food like making carrot top pesto etc.! Looking forward to the challenge :)
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Lydia
Joined about 1 month ago
Trying to be a better steward of the planet and for future generations.
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Dave s.
Joined 8 days ago
What you can do
Start Small, Start Now
Zero waste isn't about being perfect — it's about feeling capable and curious. These are real programs running in Ann Arbor right now, with real people and measurable results.
Swap Shop
Browse zero waste product swaps with real prices and annual savings. Try one this week — most save money.
Browse all swaps →Volunteer
Events, outreach, advocacy, design, fundraising — there's a role for every kind of person. Sign up for shifts that fit your schedule.
Find your role →Donate
Fund the programs, tools, and data that prove waste reduction works.
Support our work →Your sphere of influence
Change starts where you are and ripples outward. We're here to help you find your best next step at every level.
You
Your daily habits — what you buy, how you cook, what you throw away. This is where most people start, and where the biggest personal impact lives.
Your Community
Your workplace, school, or neighborhood. Organize a challenge, start a composting program, or get your office to ditch single-use plastics.
The System
Policy, advocacy, and the systems that shape what's possible. Push for better reuse infrastructure, packaging regulations, and corporate accountability.
Our Approach
Reduction first.
Everything else follows.
Deforestation, plastic in the ocean, climate change — all driven by overconsumption. Reduction is the only strategy that works at every stage.
We focus here
Extraction
Production
Transport
Consumption
Waste
We focus here
Extraction
Production
Transport
Consumption
Waste
Less in → less out.
TEDx Talk
The zero waste movement
Where we're going
Building a model for waste reduction
Waste generation in the U.S. has been increasing since 1960, and our goal is to reverse that trend, starting in Ann Arbor.
We're piloting programs that enable people, businesses, and institutions to build a movement that can move the needle on waste, and demonstrate a model that makes national waste reduction possible.
Now — Ann Arbor
Waste reduction programs, zero waste events, community organizing, and neighborhood-level data collection. Building towards statistically significant waste reduction in Ann Arbor.
Next — Test Replication
Expand the work to 2–5 additional cities, building the infrastructure needed to scale waste reduction programs.
Later — Scale
Partner with cities ready to run the playbook. Aiming for a 10% reduction in US waste by 2040.
Latest from Our Blog
Tips, stories, and resources for your zero waste journey.
This work is funded by
people who believe in it.
Every dollar funds programs, tools, and data that prove waste reduction works — and make it replicable.