Atlas' 2023 Top 10 Zero Waste Campus list is here!
View the Campus Profiles
The word Atlas, with the first A being replaced by a directional arrow pointing up. A telescope sits above the directional arrow.

A 3-Stage Student Fellowship Program that Provides Zero Waste Consulting Deliverables to College Campuses

The Atlas Zero Waste project empowers and trains young leaders to facilitate their campuses through the process of establishing zero waste commitments, Action Plans, and Return on Investment (ROI) Analyses. During a 3-Stage Fellowship Program, Fellows are trained to perform holistic qualitative assessments, facilitate stakeholders to create strategic visions that overcome campus silos and bureaucratic challenges, and develop a long-term proposal for the infrastructure and logistics needed to achieve zero waste – including financial ROI analysis.

Stage 1

Atlas Zero Waste Certification®
Fellows perform a holistic assessment to measure the campus's capacity to achieve zero waste. Campuses receive a report and Atlas Zero Waste scorecard which may qualify for them zero waste certification.
1 Semester: 10-14 weeks
Learn about Stage 1

Stage 2

Strategic Visioning
Fellows facilitate campus stakeholders through a collaborative exploration into zero waste solutions and options - ultimately establishing a campus-wide Strategic Vision to achieve zero waste.
1 Semester: 10-14 weeks
Learn about Stage 2

Stage 3

Action Planning
Fellows conduct research on logistics, infrastructure, and staffing - working with stakeholders to develop a proposal for a Zero Waste Action Plan - including a Return on Investment (ROI) analysis for each waste reduction project.
3 Semesters: 12-16 months
Learn about Stage 3
A green reusable to-go container containing a salad lunch.

Ditch disposables in dining this year!

Join our Reusable To-Go ROI Calculation Course, a certificate module of the Atlas Zero Waste Fellowship. This 5-6 week program has students gain hands-on experience in financial and logistical analysis of reusable systems. Last year's cohort of 11 campuses projected a reduction of 18.6 million pieces of plastic annually and savings of over $7.7 million in yearly expenses.

Applications accepted on a rolling deadline!

50+

Atlas Campuses

188

Paid Student Fellows

2,171

Campus Stakeholders Engaged

Atlas Campuses

Meet the Fellows

“Being part of the Zero Waste Atlas Fellowship has been an inspiring and fun journey as well as an eye opener and a realization of how we can continuously improve. It enjoyed connecting and learning with students from other campuses, and the weekly check-ins made me reflect on campus structures, abilities to make change, and how we can learn from each other.”

Katrine Oesterby

Student, College of the Atlantic
Atlas staff and Fellows from Macalaster College share a meal in the dining hall.

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