The Return of the Trash Monster

UMass Dining's retiring Trash Monster in Blue Wall, created by students in 2016.

Our dear friend the trash monster is retiring, and we need your help to design a replacement! Lurking in Blue Wall Cafe near the dish return, the trash monster has stood as a reminder to students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus that the waste we create does not disappear – it simply ends up somewhere else. 

​Waste visibility and being conscious of how much we are throwing away is a critical step in the waste reduction process. Here at UMass, the majority of the to-go containers, plates, bowls, cups, lids, napkins, straws, and utensils are compostable, yet most of these items end up in a garbage can rather than a compost due to convenience.

UMass students working to sculpt the original Trash Monster last year.

While it is important to “think before you throw,” it is even more essential to “think before you take.” This means considering how much food you are actually going to eat (rather than how much you think you want) and whether or not you really need to take it in a to-go container. Ceramic plates and bowls and metal utensils are always available in the Campus Center. Think carefully and choose wisely; the trash monster is watching all of us.

In order to continue to spread waste awareness, we are looking for a new group of students who want to participate in a unique campaign to reduce waste with their own creation. If you have an idea for a new trash monster design, check out the entry details here. Entries are due Tuesday, October 2nd, and the winning concept will receive $500 to use towards building the project! The winning design will be announced on Thursday, October 12th

An Eco-Educator helping customers compost their waste at the Zero Waste BBQ.