After much consideration, we have decided to not host the annual Students for Zero Waste Conference this year. As much as we cherish the opportunity to gather, share knowledge, and inspire action towards a zero waste future, we want to redirect our momentum for this Fall. The SZW Conference has taken many forms over the last 10 years—from humble beginnings, massive national events, a fully digital space, and intimate regional gatherings. We are eager for the chance to reflect on how the Zero Waste Movement has grown and how we can best meet our students' ever-changing needs.
This year, we are re-aligning our priorities to more meaningfully invest in regional relationships and opportunities. In addition, with the ongoing election year we understand that many of the students we work with are deeply engaged in activism. We recognize the importance of their efforts and do not wish to overburden them during this crucial time. Hosting a large-scale conference demands significant capacity, which could stretch us and our students thin. By pausing this year's conference, we aim to support their engagement and avoid overwhelming them. Our commitment to a sustainable future remains as strong as ever, but we believe it is essential to be mindful of the current climate and the many demands on students' energy.
In lieu of the annual conference, we are very excited to announce the return of our Beyond Waste Student Summits, which will be held in-person in Spring 2025. These Summits provide the opportunity for students to engage in full-day leadership intensives, meet like-minded peers in their region, and have fun roleplaying the creation of zero waste projects! Keep a lookout for more details coming soon.
While we will miss convening with our full community this year, we know you will continue to support our growth until the next time we gather. We deeply appreciate each member of our network and love hearing about your successes, working through shared challenges, and connecting over our dedication to a sustainable &just future. Thank you all for your continual support of PLAN, and let's continue building together!
As always, no one can do everything but everyone can do something. And together we can fix this broken system!
We've just released The Vault on our Community Hub, a directory of our video content over the years.We love to uplift inspiring student work, movement leaders, case studies, and regional organizers through the conference, and are thrilled to have their words more readily accessible.All content from the 2022 and 2023 conferences are available today! These resources can be used to host watch parties, discussion groups, or just for personal learnings. PLAN is happy to support or answer any questions; reach out to info@postlandfill.org any time!
