Weber State University has launched several sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing campus waste, including a zero-waste athletics program for football games and a large-scale free swap event designed to keep reusable items out of landfills.
Zero Waste Athletics Initiatives
The university's Zero Waste Athletics program is currently seeking volunteers to support football and basketball games as part of a broader goal to reach zero-waste status. According to Weber State University, volunteers will be responsible for setting up recycling and composting bins at various stations throughout Stewart Stadium.
Beyond station setup, volunteers will monitor the bins to ensure they are not contaminated with items intended for a landfill. This role also includes an educational component to teach fans about the importance of recycling. Once games conclude, volunteers will assist by collecting leftover bottles and cans from the stands and emptying liquids into buckets to prepare the recyclables for pickup.
Volunteer Requirements and Perks
Prospective volunteers for the athletics program must undergo a briefing regarding Weber State University's recycling practices and game day strategies. This training is provided by WSU's Zero Waste Coordinator, Alli Brown, before the games begin.
In addition to the environmental impact, the program offers specific incentives for those who participate. Volunteers receive a concessions voucher and the opportunity to watch the game before halftime, during halftime, and near the end of the game. Furthermore, those who contribute the highest number of volunteer hours are eligible for nomination to a sustainability award during an end-of-year ceremony.
Campus Free Swap Event
The university is also hosting a Free Swap event to promote the reuse of secondhand items. Scheduled for November 11 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM in Shepherd Union Ballroom B, the first day of the event allows students, faculty, and staff to donate items. Volunteers will collect and weigh these donations to facilitate the redistribution of goods.
On November 12, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, the community is invited to visit Ballroom B to pick up needed items free of charge. Any items that remain at the end of the second day will be donated to other causes.
Accepted and Prohibited Items
The Free Swap program accepts a wide variety of secondhand goods, including clothing, shoes, books, media, electronics, and household items. Other acceptable items include backpacks, purses, bedding, bath items, exercise and sporting goods, games, toys, small appliances, small furniture, and houseware.
However, the university has established specific restrictions on what can be donated. The program cannot accept large appliances, automobile parts, construction materials, damaged furniture, flammable or hazardous materials, food, infant products, mattresses, television or computer monitors, or weapons.
Sustainability and Health Guidelines
Both the Zero Waste Athletics and the Free Swap programs emphasize community health and sustainability. For both initiatives, organizers have requested that individuals who have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or who are experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or a new loss of taste or smell refrain from registering to volunteer.
The university's efforts are part of a larger commitment to conservation and environmental education. For the Free Swap, volunteers who invest the most hours with the Sustainable Clubs may be nominated for a Sustainability Award in April.
