Humboldt State’s Fourth Annual Zero Waste Conference will feature a week of food, workshops, speakers, film screenings, and more, seeking to “Rethink, Reshape, Reclaim Systems for a Waste Revolution.” 

The conference, which runs Tuesday, Nov. 12th through Friday, Nov. 15th, will open with a banquet, “Trashion Show” and keynote address from Alec Cooley, Senior Advisor for Busch Systems. With 27 years of experience in waste reduction and recycling, Alec got his start as a student coordinator with HSU’s Campus Recycling Program. Alec was later hired as HSU’s first Solid Waste Reduction Manager before moving east to work on national recycling and waste reduction initiatives. 

Other topics include Big Oil and plastics, restoring the earth with fungi, solutions to the climate crisis, DIY zero waste solutions, Ocean Night film screening, a zero waste bike ride, clothing swaps and much more.

Hosted by HSU’s Waste Reduction & Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP), the conference provides an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and the broader community to come together and exchange ideas, experience, and expertise. With an emphasis on upstream waste prevention, it explores re-designing socio-economic structures that perpetuate a “throw-away society” while furthering resource recovery and conservation to ultimately minimize landfill-bound waste. Prepare yourself to be challenged, excited, and inspired! 

For a schedule of events, visit the WRRAP website (https://wrrap.humboldt.edu/upcoming-events-0/).