On April 1, Arizona State University launched the university-wide Zero Waste at ASU initiative to kick off Earth Month 2014. The zero waste principle aims for the diversion and aversion of more than 90 percent of trash from the landfill. Diversion techniques include blue bin recycling, green bin composting and reusing or repurposing; and aversion tactics include reducing or avoiding the use of non-recyclable and non-compostable materials altogether. The initiative hopes to help ASU achieve zero solid waste by 2015.

"As a New American University, ASU is committed to catalyzing social change and enabling students to succeed by being at the cutting edge of a healthy, sustainable learning environment," said ASU President Michael M. Crow. "By aiming to become a zero-waste university, ASU is not only making progress toward its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and becoming climate neutral, but also instilling sustainability as a value in our students, staff and faculty, who form the critical mass to significantly impact the institution, as well as their communities."