Purdue competes in Recyclemania
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue is competing against more than 500 colleges and universities to collect the most recyclable items per capita in Recyclemania, a tournament that runs until March 31.
Students, faculty and staff can participate by using the recycling bins in campus buildings. In its third year in the competition, Purdue also will try to collect the least amount of trash per capita and the largest amount of total recyclables. Purdue also is participating in a new e-waste category this year, which includes items like computers, printers, cell phones, televisions, stereos, CDs, cables, and consumer batteries.
"We encourage recycling throughout the year," said Gary Evans, director of grounds. "The Recyclemania competition is a great time for us to evaluate our efforts and recommit to reducing, reusing and recycling whenever possible."
A list of acceptable items for recycling is available at https://www.purdue.edu/buildings_grounds/recycling/dual_stream_recycling.htm
Purdue aims to raise its recycling rate above 40 percent during this year's tournament and finish in the top 40 schools in the Grand Champion category. Purdue's 38 percent recycling rate in 2011 placed it at No. 64 in the Grand Champion category out of 288 competing schools. Purdue finished eighth in the Gorilla Prize category, which is awarded based on total tonnage of recycled materials.
A bracket-style, single-elimination tournament will pit Purdue residence hall teams against each other to see which can recycle the most and produce the least trash during Recyclemania. The winning team will receive a traveling trophy.
"Recyclemania is a great opportunity to re-educate our students, faculty and staff about Purdue's recycling program," said Michael Gulich, director of university sustainability. "This event will only make our current program even stronger."
More information can be found at https://www.purdue.edu/recyclemania
Writer: Jim Schenke, 765-494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
Sources: Gary Evans, 765-494-0139, gkevans@purdue.edu
Michael Gulich, mgulich@purdue.edu
Related websites:
Purdue University Building & Grounds