7th Annual zero Waste week
March 29 – April 4, 2026 | Gainesville, Florida
Join us for a full week of community-powered action, learning, and celebration during the 7th Annual Zero Waste Week!
From street cleanups and bike repair workshops to composting orientations, gardening classes, clothing swaps, and a Zero Waste book club, there are hands-on opportunities every day to reduce waste and build a more sustainable Gainesville.
Below you’ll find a quick daily schedule to help you plan your week. Scroll down for full event descriptions, registration links, and in-depth details for each event.
Quick Schedule Overview
Sunday, March 29, 2026
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Street Cleanup with Keep Alachua County Beautiful
Location: Lincoln Park – 924 SE 15th St, Gainesville, FL 32641
Time: 9–11 AM
COG Day Afternoon – Downtown Gainesville’s Bicycle Blowout
Location: Loosey’s Downtown – 120 SW 1st Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Time: 11 AM–5 PM
Community event featuring on-site bike repair, maintenance workshops, and more.
Confronting Clutter Workshop with Simplify Home Organizing
Location: TBD
Time: 3–4 PM
Join Angela Dragon as she explores why we accumulate clutter and how simplifying our spaces reduces waste and creates ease in daily life.
Monday, March 30, 2026
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International Day of Zero Waste
Today we recognize Zero Waste strategies across Florida, the United States, and around the world. Building robust systems makes it easier for everyone to participate in Zero Waste practices.
Grove Street Farmers Market
Location: 1001 NW 4th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
Time: 4–7 PM
Join the City of Gainesville’s Zero Waste Initiative Team and Life Unplastic for tabling, education, and free reusable produce bags at the Grove Street Farmers Market.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
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Zero Waste Week Book Club
Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash by Edward Humes
Location: TBD
Time: 6–8 PM
Let’s talk trash - literally. Join Joy and Lex from Life Unplastic for an evening discussion exploring America’s waste crisis and our consumption habits.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
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Leveda Brown Environmental Park Tour
Location: 5115 NE 63rd Ave, Gainesville, FL
Time: 9 AM
Registration Required. Reserve your seat via the contact form at: www.alachuacountyrecycles.com
Thursday, April 2, 2026
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Giving Garden Beginning Gardening Workshop
Location: Gainesville Giving Garden – 225 NW 12th Ave
Time: 6–7 PM
No registration required.
Friday, April 3, 2026
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Compost Cooperative and Gardens – Composting Orientation
Location: UF Energy Research and Education Park, 2610 SW 23rd Terrace
Time: 5 PM
Want a place to bring your food scraps? Join Dr. Wilkie’s team to learn how the Compost Cooperative and Gardens program works.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
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Fixit Clinic at Gainesville Hackerspace
Gainesville Hackerspace, 4101 NW 6th StreetGainesvilleFL32609
Time: 11 AM–2 PM
Bring your broken bike, sewing machine, small appliance, lamp, or corded item and learn how to fix it.
Clothing Swap at The Repurpose Project
Location: 1920 NE 23rd Ave – Community Center
Time: 1 PM
No registration required. Bring some clothes, take some clothes. Free event (donations accepted).
Full Event Details
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Street Cleanup with Keep Alachua County Beautiful
Location: SE 15th St. (Hawthorne Rd to SE 13th Ave)
Meeting Point: Lincoln Park – 924 SE 15th St, Gainesville
Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
Cost: Free
Registration Required
Join Keep Alachua County Beautiful (KACB) for a neighborhood street cleanup through the Lincoln Heights area. This event supports neighborhood pride and environmental stewardship.
What to Know
Cleanup supplies provided
Must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes
Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
All ages welcome
🔗 Register:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdISWYEmuL4e-fQ1qdGWpepdNmbcNyS3vZudNQSrk4GN3j55g/viewform
📞 Questions: 352-371-9444 | greatamericancleanup.kacb@gmail.com
COG Day Afternoon – Downtown Gainesville’s Bicycle Blowout
Location: Loosey’s Downtown – 120 SW 1st Ave
Time: 11 AM – 5 PM
Cost: Free to attend
Hosted by: Adrien’s Bike Shop & Loosey’s
Celebrate bikes, repair, reuse, and skill-sharing — all values at the heart of Zero Waste Week.
Bike Repair
Professional mechanics offering discounted services. Need major work? Connect with a local shop.
Workshops
Hands-on sessions covering basic bike maintenance and repair skills.
More Community Fun
Reconditioned bike sales
Local cycling vendors
Bike polo
Free kids’ helmets (while supplies last)
Food, drinks & music
Professional bike photo station
Local cycling groups & advocacy info
Confronting Clutter Workshop
With Angela Dragon, Simplify Home Organizing
Time: 3 – 4 PM
Location: TBD
Cost: Free
Kick off Zero Waste Week by rethinking your relationship with “stuff.”
Clutter often reflects emotional attachment and systems designed to keep us buying. This supportive, judgment-free workshop explores how simplifying our spaces reduces waste and creates more ease in daily life.
We’ll Explore
Why we hold onto so much
The hidden financial, emotional & environmental costs of clutter
Realistic tips to get started
How decluttering can create more joy and intention
Monday, March 30, 2026
International Day of Zero Waste
Recognized by the United Nations, this global day highlights Zero Waste strategies around the world. Building robust systems makes it easier for everyone to participate in sustainable practices.
Explore resources, videos, and global initiatives through the UN’s International Day of Zero Waste materials.
Grove Street Farmers Market
Location: 1001 NW 4th Street
Time: 4 – 7 PM
Visit the City of Gainesville’s Zero Waste Initiative Team and Life Unplastic at the market. Learn about local Zero Waste programs and receive a free reusable produce bag.
🔗 https://www.grovestreetfarmersmarket.com/
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Zero Waste Week Book Club
Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash by Edward Humes
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: TBD (potentially Cypress & Grove)
Cost: Free
Zero Waste is about more than swaps, it’s about understanding the systems behind what we buy, use, and discard.
In this eye-opening book, Humes explores what really happens to our waste and challenges common recycling myths.
All are welcome, whether you read the full book, part of it, or simply want to listen and learn.
Discussion Topics
Surprising realities about waste
The true costs of throwaway culture
Where personal responsibility meets systemic change
What meaningful local action looks like
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Leveda Brown Environmental Park Tour
Location: 5115 NE 63rd Ave
Time: 9 AM
Cost: Free
Registration Required
Reserve seats via the contact form at:
www.alachuacountyrecycles.com
(Write “April 1st tour” and number of guests in the comments.)
Tour Overview
History of solid waste management in Alachua County
How waste materials are processed
What can be recycled locally
Hazardous waste disposal guidance
Closed-toe shoes required. Tour lasts approximately one hour. All ages welcome.
Questions:
Alanna Carinio | ACarinio@alachuacounty.us | 352-548-1278
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Giving Garden Beginning Gardening Workshop
Location: Gainesville Giving Garden – 225 NW 12th Ave
Time: 6 – 7 PM
Cost: Free
No Registration Required
Learn how to eliminate food miles, reduce packaging, and grow healthy food. Meg, founder of Giving Garden, will share what to plant in spring and how to tend the soil for success.
Friday, April 3, 2026
Compost Cooperative & Gardens – Composting Orientation
Location: UF Energy Research & Education Park
2610 SW 23rd Terrace
Time: 5 PM
Interested in bringing food scraps for ongoing composting? Join Dr. Wilkie’s team to learn how the Compost Cooperative system works and how to participate long term.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Fixit Clinic – Gainesville Hackerspace
Location: 4101 NW 6th St
Time: 11 AM – 2 PM
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
Bring broken bikes, sewing machines, lamps, small appliances, or corded items and learn how to repair them.
Walk-ins welcome.
Clothing Swap – The Repurpose Project
Location: 1920 NE 23rd Ave – Community Center
Time: 1 PM
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
No registration required.
Bring some clothes. Take some clothes.
Organizers
Zero Waste Gainesville
Life Unplastic
The Repurpose Project
Partners
City of Gainesville
Alachua County
O-Town Compost
Gainesville Hackerspace
Compost Cooperative & Gardens
Giving Garden
Keep Alachua County Beautiful
Renüable
Simplify Home Organizing
Loosey’s