Sustainability

Sustainability in ASU Student Unions and Centers

Aligning with the University’s belief that the advancement of society is compatible with environmental stewardship, ASU Student Unions and Centers are committed to sustainability and all University-led initiatives in a variety of ways:

Zero Waste Events

A zero-waste event diverts at least 90% of the waste generated before, during, and after the event from the landfill. ASU is committed to achieving the Plastics Reduction Initiative and efforts to achieve a 90% plastic diversion by 2030. Starting Fall 2024, catered events within our student unions and centers across all four campuses became zero waste by default.

Learn more about how you can plan a zero waste event at ASU.

Zero Waste Stations

Our facilities have several Zero Waste Stations to help reduce the food waste ASU sends to area landfills. Zero Waste Stations are located throughout each of our student unions and centers including in key dining areas as well as conference rooms and ballrooms.

Additionally, several Zero Waste Stations are located around the exterior of the Memorial Union. These stations combine compost, recycle and landfill receptacles into a one-stop food waste destination.

Sustainability in our Retail Operations

Bring your reusable cup to any Starbucks and receive a discount on your beverage. If you bring your reusable cup to any P.O.D. Market on campus, you can receive a fountain drink for 99 cents. Additionally, you can fill your reusable water bottle at almost 1,000 water-refill stations across all ASU campus locations.

Oscar Sort

Each student union and center facility is equipped with Oscar Sort, an AI-powered interactive waste bin that uses cameras and AI to identify waste items and guide users to place them in the correct bin (compost, recycling, or landfill).This innovative tool helps to improve recycling rates, reduce contamination in waste streams, and educate people on proper sorting.

Additional Resources

Looking for ways to support sustainability and the University's Zero Waste Goals?

Here are some key steps for you to help ASU achieve its goal:

Borrow or rent second hand, or reuse supplies: Avoid single-use materials (like balloons) and use reusable nametags that are collected at the end. [1]
Order promotional swag: Choose functional, recyclable or non-material items. [2] [3]
Evergreen Marketing: Design marketing to be digital first, or for print without dates.
Prep for success: Tell attendees what they can do ahead, like bring a reusable bottle, properly sort during the event, and use low-emissions transport to and from the event.
What does where: Use the waste directory to tell attendees how to discard waste correctly. You can also add a slide into your presentation deck during the event or delegate volunteers to inform guests what goes where.

Stay Connected with Us!

Use the ASU Waste Directory to search for and discover how to dispose of, recycle and repurpose everyday items.
Follow ASU University Sustainability Practices on X at @ASU_USP and Instagram at @ASU.USP.

Follow ASU Zero Waste on X and Instagram at @ZeroWasteASU and like them on Facebook at ZeroWasteASU.