Why We Need Your Support: At Zero Waste Ithaca, we are dedicated to fostering a cultural sea change to put an end to over-consumption. Our commitment extends to the principles of environmental justice, ensuring that the benefits and burdens of a sustainable lifestyle are equitably distributed. Your support can make a meaningful difference.

By donating to our cause, you contribute to projects such as:

BYO (Bring Your Own) Sticker Program: We collaborate with the national group BYO - US Reduces and the original Canada Reduces and Zero-Waste Chef. This initiative encourages the use of reusable containers, reducing single-use plastic waste. Our efforts have been covered by local press, including Ithaca Journal, Ithaca Week, Sierra Club’s Susquehanna Sierran. (Learn more)
Support for Legislation of Skip the Stuff: Our efforts are aimed at reducing unnecessary packaging and promoting mindful consumption. We are actively working with county legislators to implement policies that will make Ithaca a Zero Waste City. Skip the Stuff initiative asks local businesses to withhold giving out utensils and condiments etc. by default for takeouts. (Learn more)
Reusable Sporks Initiative at Ithaca City School District: Zero Waste Ithaca is playing an active role in the journey to switch the Ithaca City School District from the reliance on toxic single-use flatware to reusable ones. Our endeavors have been featured in the IHS Tattler and Tompkins Weekly (Learn more)
Students Move Out/Dumpster Study: We strive to urge two colleges in our area to prevent and reduce materials sent to Ontario County Landfill during students' move-out period in May. We collaborate with amazing students both at Cornell and Ithaca College for this project. Currently, we are working on the 2023 report with Cornell’s Net Zero Club and Ithaca College’s Drone Club. See our report from the 2022 move-out period (Read the report)
Opposition to Toxic Artificial Turf: We advocate for sustainable natural grass alternative and responsible waste disposal practices. Our rapid rally was covered by four local media outlets. Read more on our website here.
Opposition to Land Application of Sewage Sludge: We work with newly-forming state-wide organizations, No Safe Levels, Zero Waste New York Coalition, and Thurston Water, opposing this toxic practice and urging the county and state-level ban on the land application of sewage sludge as soil amendment. Zero Waste Ithaca passed an organizational resolution in January opposing this practice (Read more) and was featured on Ithaca Times for their comments on the county’s 10-year solid waste management plan.
Trash Pickups and Community Collaboration: We actively engage with the community through trash pickups, partnering with local organizations like Paddle-n-More, Friends of Stewart Park, Ithaca Rotary Club, and Cayuga Watershed Network. See amazing photographs by our member photographer, Rich., Rich.
Encouraging Reuse and Exchange through Buy Nothing Groups: Promoting a gift economy through ethical and sustainable gifting practices. We are always looking for more volunteer admins. We especially need volunteers in Enfield/Trumansburg area and Dryden areas. Please get in touch if you are interested. (Learn more)

Additional Projects on Our Radar:

Choose to Reuse: Encouraging local food establishments to offer foods on reusable flatware for on-site dining.
Supporting a Local Reuse and Refill Ecosystem: For small food businesses without on-site machine dishwashers.
Supporting a Local Composting Ecosystem without Contaminants: To reduce organic waste in landfills in collaboration with the Master Composters Program.
Addressing Humanitarian and Environmental Crisis for the Ithaca's Unhoused Population: We converse with Race to Zero Waste, a non-profit in California, about this issue.

How You Can Help: Your support is crucial to the success of these initiatives. Join us for our holiday party on 12/10 at Ithaca Beer and consider making a donation online to support our ongoing projects.

Get Involved: Volunteers are the heart of Zero Waste Ithaca. Whether you can spare time or resources, your contribution is invaluable. Please get in touch at info@zerowasteithaca.org

Thank you for considering our cause. Together, we can create a more sustainable and Zero Waste future for Ithaca.

2023 Zero Waste Ithaca Year-End Fundraiser

Year-End Giving Campaign

Team Members