Register Now

PLAN’s Students for Zero Waste Conference brings together students, staff, industry innovators, activists, and community members from across the country each Fall. Since 2014, SZW has served as a space for community-building and solution sharing to push the movement forward. It prioritizes “walking the walk” of Zero Waste and centering the needs of those most impacted by the Waste Crisis and systems of oppression. View the 2021 Program to get an idea of what SZW is all about.

SZW 2022 is back in a hybrid format! Tune in to our digital conference platform for live-streamed sessions, events, and student panels. Additionally, we will be hosting a small in-person gathering with local campuses in Philadelphia from November 11-13.

5 photos from SZW side-by-side: a group working at a sewing machine; a full staff and volunteer photo, a single speaker, a group outdoors, and two people smiling and talking.

Registration

SZW may look a bit different in a hybrid format, but the framework and content will be just as familiar as years past. The conference will include networking & affinity group meet-ups, activity sessions, and panels covering topics related to waste and environmental justice. The in-person portion of the conference is limited to students within a 2-3 hour (driving/transit) radius from Philadelphia—but all are welcome to join digitally.

We’re offering registration discounts to our member campuses! Access the discount code by making a PLAN account and signing into the Member Hub. Tickets are sold on a sliding scale for all others. Note: We never turn students away for a lack of funds. Reach out to Ramiro@postlandfill.org with any questions or concerns.

Register on Whova

Purple gradient with the text "Schedule" overlaid with a photo of a group gathered in front of a projector for a session at SZW 2018.

This year’s conference will include both digital and in-person events. View a schedule overview below, and stay tuned for the full 2022 program.

9-10th: Live, virtual student panels (digital)
11th: Keynote and community events (hybrid)
12th: Field trips (in-person) and workshops (hybrid)
13th: PLAN’s 10-year anniversary celebration, including a Drag Brunch, Repair Fair, and Closing Ceremony (hybrid)

Purple gradient with the text "Volunteers" overlaid with a photo of PLAN staff and volunteers from 2019.

Volunteers help make SZW possible! If you’re local to Philly, join us in-person to support with registration or set-up. If you’d like to be involved virtually, help out with outreach or day-of tech support. All volunteers will receive a free conference ticket! Reach out to our Events Director Ramiro if you are interested in offering your time to SZW.

Contact our Events Director

2019 SZW group photo outdoors in Philly.

Students crowded around a table at a crafting/repair fair.

Students listening to a speaker outdoors.

Volunteers at the registration table in 2018.

Interior of the 2018 conference venue with students sitting in rows in an auditorium.

A person filling in a chart on a whiteboard during a group brainstorming session.

People viewing zero waste tableware and personal products.

SZW 2018 group photo, taken in an auditorium indoors.

Volunteers in front of the 2018 conference sign, holding up a cardboard cut-out of Phil the Landfill, PLAN's unofficial mascot.

Students sitting in rows indoors viewing a panel.

Students on an outdoor tour of the RAIR recycled arts facility.

A collage of screenshots from the 2021 digital conference, including speakers, group activities, and slides from presentations.

Screenshot with a decorative purple border of a 2021 SZW digital session. It is with influencer Queer Brown Vegan and a handful of particpants.

Screenshot of the 2021 Whova Digital conference platform. It shows the main menu and a cap from the Disability Justice panel.

Photos and screenshots from SZW 2018, 2019, and 2021

Thank You to our 2022 Sponsors

Logos of partners sponsoring the 2022 conference, including Break Free From Plastic, Global Alliance Against Incinerators, Generation Conscious, People Over Petro, Sierra Club, Oceana, Plaine Products, Center for Coalfield Justice, FracTracker, and Klean Kanteen.