UMass Amherst participated in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Game Day Challenge, a national collegiate competition where colleges and universities implement recycling and compost programs to reduce waste at football games and tailgates until 2018. 

In 2017 UMass placed 26 out of 70 in the Diversion Rate category with a 40.3% waste diversion rate.  Diversion rate is the amount of diverted waste (recycled and composted) out of the total waste generated.

The EPA Game Day Challenge was student-led and supported by multiple departments including: Facilities and Campus Services, University Relations, the Eco-Rep Program, Student Government Association, the Office of Waste Management, Residential Life, and Athletics.