Zero Waste Madison

Help Madison waste less and share more

Zero Waste Madison (ZWM) is a community group committed to celebrating lower-waste lifestyles and economies in the Greater Madison area. Originally founded in 2018, ZWM initially brought people together through informal meet-ups to share ideas and learn about reducing waste. Now, we are focused on reigniting and growing our impact by engaging neighbors in education, advocacy, and connection to one another and broader community projects.

ZWM supports an active Facebook group with almost 6,000 members who swap tips, ask questions, and collaborate in reducing waste—in both big and small ways. ZWM also created and maintains a resource map to connect community members with local circular programs and hosts an annual Earth Day & Repair Fair. Following the Earth Day & Repair Fair, ZWM will conduct community research, continue to build a network of repairers and sustainable resources, and host education, action, and community-building events.

We dream of a thriving local Madison community where businesses, individuals, and organizations embrace circular economic models for zero waste living as the default. We imagine a world where waste reduction is derived from the leadership of local government and producer responsibility, allowing for individuals to feel empowered to continuously make low-to-no waste choices. We strive to support creative reuse and repair opportunities so circularity becomes the default way of doing things.

Our collective commitment to place and people drives creativity, joy, and peace, making zero waste not just an individual effort but a shared responsibility that fosters a more circular, thriving, and joyful Madison for all who call it home.