SZW is PLAN's annual community-building conference.
From the first gathering in 2014, the Students for Zero Waste (SZW) Conference has served as a space for network-building, inspiration, and solution sharing to push the movement forward. Join students, staff, industry innovators, activists, and community members from across the country each Fall. We prioritize holistic solutions to zero waste that center the needs of those most impacted by the Waste Crisis and systems of oppression. View the 2023 Program to get a sense of what an SZW looks like.
We’re thrilled to bring back SZW as a national-scale conference hosted on a college campus! Over the conference weekend, join via our digital conference platform or in-person at Swarthmore College for student-led panels, skills-building workshops, discussion groups, and field trips. As always, our tickets are sold on a sliding scale with group discounts for our Member Campuses.
This year's SZW weekend consists of events Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning.
Friday evening will start off the conference weekend with affinity group breakouts and PLAN's signature "Unconference" — informal, attendee-led discussion groups to break the ice. Saturday is the fullest conference day with a keynote and welcome, three concurrent panel session blocks, and group meals. Finally, Sunday will consist of group field trip activities ranging from a hands-on art project, volunteering with a local organization, an environmental justice tour, and a virtual tour option. We'll close out the conference with an Activity Fair of giveaways, crafting, tablings, performances and more! View the full program here!
PLAN is committed to creating a safe in-person environment for attendees. To ensure that SZW is equitably accessible to all, we are requiring masking in all indoor conference spaces. We have Attendee COVID Protocols outlining our encouraged practices prior to conference travel, required protocols in the conference space, and accommodations we’re providing. If you have any questions, reach out to Rachael@postlandfill.org.
Read the ProtocolsWant to attend SZW, but unsure about logistics such as where to book travel or lodging, the difference between ticket options, and how to commute to Swarthmore College? We've answered commonly asked questions about the conference in the document below! Please review this FAQ, and then reach out to Ramiro@postlandfill.org if you have any remaining questions or concerns.
View the SZW23 FAQ
