ZeroWaste Washtenaw (Event Recycling & Composting)

Zero Waste Washtenaw is the County’s zero waste events program. The purpose of the program is to encourage and assist all event participants (organizers, vendors, attendees, etc.) to minimize their environmental footprint at events through practicing zero waste. 

Learn more about how Zero Waste Washtenaw began through a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality P2 grant project.

Zero Waste Washtenaw

Contact Us

  1. Solid Waste / Public Works

    Email Public Works

    Phone : (734) 222-6860

Zero Waste Hierarchy_updated

Zero Waste Washtenaw's Zero Waste Hierarchy 


Zero Waste Collection Station
Zero Waste Station

How to Get Started

  • Please contact us 2 months in advance of your event to allow adequate time for planning. 
  • Prior to consultation, have an idea of the types and amount of waste that will be generated at your event.
  • If not yourself, choose a "zero waste event lead" that will overall be responsible for stations during the event. 
  • For more information, read the Zero Waste Event Hosting Guide
zero waste guide thumbnail Opens in new window

What Services are Included

Zero Waste Washtenaw recognizes that each of our event partners is at their own unique place along their zero waste journey. Our program meets organizers where they're at, and offers any combination of services based on specific event needs and County resource availability. Common services include:

  • Pre-event consultation
  • Assistance in vendor education and volunteer training; guides available for distribution as needed              
  • Waste stations and additional supplies lending

Waste stations and supplies are available after a ZWW event consultation for events in Washtenaw County. 


Yearly Program Impacts

2015-2019 Event Summaries

Zero Waste Washtenaw Informational Brochures

For Organizers
Zero Waste brochure for organizers

For Guests

Zero Waste for guests

Volunteer With Us!

Zero Waste Event volunteers educate event goers on the items they've received and if they can be composted, recycled, or landfilled. Volunteers also help with station set up and breakdown and measuring weights for metrics. 

Any available shifts will be posted here for you to sign up.

There are currently no Zero Waste shifts scheduled, feel free to use the link above to see other opportunities our department has.