Skip to main content

News: Goals - Achieve Zero Waste

  • Scarlet, Gray, and Green: Ohio State’s Race to Zero Waste Is On

    bartholomew.185@osu.edu | February 4, 2026
    The Campus Race to Zero Waste is underway, and Ohio State is once again stepping up to compete with colleges and universities across the country. Over the next eight weeks, Buckeyes will work together to increase our landfill diversion rate and prove that sustainability is a team sport. This competition isn’t just about numbers. It’s about everyday actions adding up to real impact. Whether you’re...
    Campus Race to Zero Waste 2026 logo

  • In the News: Ohio State Sets the Standard for Zero Waste at College Football’s Biggest Stage

    bartholomew.185@osu.edu | February 4, 2026
    The Ohio State University once again demonstrated that championship-level athletics and resource stewardship go hand in hand. Across seven home football games, Ohio State achieved a season waste diversion rate of 92.73 percent, surpassing its 90 percent zero-waste benchmark. More than 257,000 pounds of material were diverted from landfills through recycling, composting, and reuse, while just 20...
    Six student interns spell out O-H-I-O with their arms while standing inside Ohio Stadium.

  • Supporting Sustainable Operations Through Campus Waste Data

    bartholomew.185@osu.edu | February 3, 2026
    The results are in from Facilities Operations and Development’s (FOD) 2025 Waste Characterization Study, which examined waste and recycling across Ohio State’s Columbus campus. This study was made possible through funding from Coca-Cola Consolidated, supporting the university’s ongoing resource stewardship efforts. The study revealed a clear opportunity: more than half of what is currently thrown...
    A view of a recycling bin where trash and a banana peel are seen.

  • FOD's Molly Kathleen Recognized in USAC Spotlight

    bartholomew.185@osu.edu | January 16, 2026
    Molly Kathleen, Zero Waste Manager for Facilities Operations and Development (FOD), was recognized by the University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC) in its Staff in the Spotlight. According to Kathleen's nominator: "Their ability to create an inclusive, respectful environment empowers everyone involved to take pride in their role and contribute to the university’s mission.” The committee...
    Molly Kathleen headshot

  • In the News: FOD Featured on CBS Evening News

    bartholomew.185@osu.edu | November 26, 2025
    CBS Evening News traveled to Ohio Stadium and that team up north's stadium to keep the rivalry strong and see which team diverts the most waste from the landfill during and after home game days. Lately, that's been Ohio State, where Mary Leciejewski is associate director of environmental sustainability. "I mean, it just comes with the territory," Leciejewski said. In this competition, armies of...
    Mary Leciejewski talking with a CBS News reporter at Ohio Stadium.

News Archive