Each year, Emerson competes in the Campus Race to Zero Waste (CR2ZW), a friendly competition between colleges and universities to identify the leading institutions in waste diversion. To raise awareness about waste reduction and diversion on our own campus, Sustainability staff host several events and challenges for the Emerson community throughout the competition.
This year, these internal programs are all part of our Scouts 4 Sustainability program! Over the next two months, all students, faculty, and staff will have the opportunity to participate in various events and challenges to earn points. At the end of March, the participants with the most points overall will receive exciting prizes!
You can see our CR2ZW standing amongst other schools Massachusetts here.
Get Involved
1
Participate in Scouts for Sustainability
Download the Scavos app and join with code JGZV-NBHE to enter the challenge. Check the app and our Instagram weekly for new sustainability challenges and a chance to win grand prizes!
2
Sign the Pledge
Sign the pledge to commit to properly recycling and composting on campus. Signing the pledge will earn you a Scouts for Sustainability point.
3
Practice Zero Waste
Reduce the amount of items that get thrown in waste bins in your daily life. To help do this, we love referring to Recycle Smart MA’s Reframing the Waste Hierarchy.
Events
January 29 – March 29
Sign the Recycling and Compost Pledge
Sign the pledge to commit to properly recycling and composting on campus.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for participating
January 22 – February 1
172 Tremont St
Waste Signage Focus Groups
Emerson Sustainability wants to hear from YOU about how we can best improve your waste sorting experience. Check out our blog post for more details.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for participating
February 1, 4-6pm
Lion’s Den, 122 Boylston St
Postcard Writing
Join our Sustainability Climate Justice fellow in writing to local representatives about climate related bills.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for participating
February 7, 7pm
Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym, 150 Boylston St
Game Day Basketball
Join us reducing waste at the Emerson Men’s Basketball game against MIT! We’ll be hosting half-time activities and weighing our waste after the game.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for participating
February 8, 12-2pm
Dining Center, 122 Boylston St
Lunch Film Screening
Watch a screening of a zero-waste themed film at Center Stage.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for watching
February 12-16
Office Recycling Competition
Sign up to compete against other offices for the highest diversion rate. The winning office gets a pizza party.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for participating (faculty/staff)
February 15, 4-6pm
Greentown Labs, 444 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA
Greentown Labs Climate Intern Fair with EGC
Join the Emerson Green Collective at Greentown Labs’ annual Intern Fair to connect with climatetech startups. Read more here.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for attending
February 22, 7:45-8:30pm
Little Building Rm 225, 80 Boylston St
College to Climate Event with EGC
The Emerson Green Collective is hosting a presentation with College to Climate to discuss sustainability careers.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for attending
February 28, 6-8 PM
Dining Center, 122 Boylston St
Weigh the Waste
Strive to be in the Clean Plate Club as we help you sort and weigh dinner-time waste. Check our blog post afterwards for results.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for a clean plate
March 4-6
Teach-In on Sustainability
The 2024 Teach-In on Sustainability (March 4,5,6) will feature a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and interactive exploration of how we advance, create, and communicate toward a sustainable tomorrow. Check out featured events here.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for each event attended
March 11-16
Spring Break Photo Challenge
Keep an eye on @emersonsustainability Instagram for more details.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for submitting
March 27
Clean Out Your Office Day
Bring your unwanted office supplies, books, and electronics to our spring Clean Out Your Office day or just come browse for new treasures.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for participating (faculty/staff)
March 27
Dining Center, 122 Boylston St
Weigh the Waste
Strive to be in the Clean Plate Club as we help you sort and weigh dinner-time waste. Check our blog post afterwards for results.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for a clean plate
January 29 – March 28
Iwasaki Library, 120 Boylston St
Upcycled Art Competition
Featured category: book art! Check out the ongoing book art competition in the library with books that would otherwise be recycled. Don’t have time? Join the 1 hour “express” competition from 2-3pm on Mar 28. There are special prizes for the winners! Make sure to sign up here!
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for participating
March 28, 7-10pm
Emerson Paramount Center: Bright Family Screening Room, 559 Washington St
Bright Lights Cinema Series: King Coal
Co-presented with Independent Film Festival Boston, the Salem Film Festival, the Boston Women’s Film Festival, the Emerson College Sustainability, and the Engagement Lab, watch a screening of King Coal directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon. Read more here.
Scouts for Sustainability Points
1 point for attending
