September 26–27, 2026

Join us for a weekend of zero waste fun!

The 6th annual Trash Talk Tour is a weekend of free, family-friendly events that peek behind the curtain of Washtenaw County's zero waste economy.

Stops will be announced soon — check back for the fall route.

See all events

Scavenger Hunt

25 stops around Ann Arbor. Find the QR code at each one and scan it.

See the full hunt

Attend events to win one of these fabulous prizes

Gift Card to Seva
Gift Card to Seva Sponsored by Common Seas
Dinner for Two at Miss Kim
Dinner for Two at Miss Kim Miss Kim is a Korean restaurant that opened in 2016. Our food is rooted in Korean tradition and adapted to showcase Michigan’s bountiful local produce. Working with local farmers and building our menus seasonally, we seek to marry tradition with innovation, and serve great food in a bright and welcoming space. Come check out this Ann Arbor staple restaurant from acclaimed chef Ji Hye Kim and the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses! Sponsored by Miss Kim
Lunch for 2 at Little Kim!
Lunch for 2 at Little Kim! Little Kim is the new Asian inspired, grab and go style restaurant from Zingerman’s, just steps away from partner restaurant, Miss Kim, located in the Kerrytown Markets. The menu features a bold selection of delicious vegetarian and vegan specialities and features fresh ingredients from Michigan farmers and producers while reflecting diverse Asian culinary traditions. Come check out this new ‘little sister’ restaurant from acclaimed chef Ji Hye Kim and the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses! Sponsored by Little Kim
Free Appetizer
Free Appetizer Free appetizer to anyone who completes the Trash Talk Tour 2026 badge (find 5 scavenger hunt stops). TrashTalkTour.Org/Scavenger Sponsored by Little Kim
$25 at Comet Coffee (3)
$25 at Comet Coffee (3) Sponsored by Comet Coffee
Laser class and month-long membership for 2
Laser class and month-long membership for 2 Sponsored by Maker Works
$25 Gift Card to BYOC Co.
$25 Gift Card to BYOC Co. Sponsored by BYOC Co.
Miel de Cacao
Miel de Cacao Sponsored by Mindo Chocolate Makers
$25 at SCRAP Creative Reuse
$25 at SCRAP Creative Reuse Sponsored by SCRAP Creative Reuse
$10 at Tasty Bakery
$10 at Tasty Bakery Sponsored by Tasty Bakery
$25 at Blank Slate (2)
$25 at Blank Slate (2) Sponsored by Blank Slate Creamery
$100 at Zingerman's Deli
$100 at Zingerman's Deli Sponsored by Zingerman's Deli and Nextdoor
$25 at Jefferson Market
$25 at Jefferson Market Sponsored by Jefferson Market

The team

Meet the people who bring you Trash Talk Tour year after year.

Dan Ezekiel
Dan Ezekiel Founder
Nathan Yost
Nathan Yost Repair Lead
Elif Saglik
Elif Saglik Program Intern
Lydia McMullen-Laird
Lydia McMullen-Laird Lead Organizer
Dennis Burke Volunteer
Melinda Bostwick Founding Volunteer
Samuel McMullen
Samuel McMullen Tech

Sponsors and partners

Trash Talk Tour is made possible by our sponsors and partners.

Sponsors
Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor
Washtenaw County
Partners
Recycle Ann Arbor
University of Michigan Campus Sustainability & Innovation
ZeroWaste.Org

Want to join the crew? Write to hello@zerowaste.org. Already spreading the word? The outreach packet has ready-to-use event blurbs, email copy and social posts.

Frequently asked questions

What does “zero waste” mean?

The definition adopted by the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) is:

Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without burning them, and without discharges to land, water or air that threaten the environment or human health.

How do I participate in the tour?

Visit our tour events page for a list of tour events and register for the ones that interest you. We have limited capacity so make sure to grab your spot early!

Is there a particular order for the tour?

No. Take part in any parts of Trash Talk Tour that work with your schedule!

Is it OK for participants to just pick a couple stops?

Absolutely!

That’s a lot of events for one weekend! How can I squeeze them all in?

We hold Trash Talk Tour every fall! So if you don’t get a chance to attend all the events this year, don’t worry — most likely, you’ll get another chance next year.