RecycleMania, a recycling competition among schools across the country, ended yesterday, with NC State finishing with nearly 1,405 pounds of recycling measured at the end of the third week of the competition.
The idea of RecycleMania is to promote waste reduction and recycling programs at campuses across the country. Each week, schools reported recycling and trash data, which were then ranked in categories based upon who recycled most on a per student basis.
The competition at NC State looked at recycling and trash receptacles on campus at: Alexander, Avent Ferry, Becton, Berry, Bowen, Bragaw, Carroll, Lee, Metcalf, North, Owen, Turlington, Sullivan, Gold, Syme, Welch, Tucker, Watauga, Western Manor, Wolf Ridge, Wolf Village and Wood. The trash and recycling bins from Greek Village were also included in the competition.
“RecycleMania is a great opportunity for students to partake in a fun and easy way to promote sustainability, plus we get the chance to beat Duke and Carolina,” said Alison Lee an environmental studies student.
Analis Fulghum, program manager of NC State’s Sustainability Office, said the recycling aspect is the most important part.
“Anything we do to raise awareness about recycling will help us reach our goal,” Fulghum said.
TJ Willis, associate director of University Student Centers, said he agreed with Fulghum view on the education of recycling.
“Bringing the RecycleMania excitement to our facilities is just another way that we can support efforts to reduce our waste,” Willis said. “I am encouraged by our campus community’s commitment at Talley Student Union to compost, recycle, use water refill stations, and bring reusable bags and mugs. But I know we can do more, so join us taking it to the next level.”
Fulghum said that while the recycling aspect is important, the competition also makes it fun.
“Everyone knows we should reduce and recycle, but sometimes a friendly competition helps give people another reason to participate,” Fulghum said.
By the end of the third week, NC State sent 34,385 pounds to the garbage; 7,156 pounds to recycling and diverted an average of 24 percent of waste from the landfill.
Sabrina Baker, a sophomore studying fashion textile management, said she was surprised the numbers weren’t higher.
“We have so many opportunities to recycle in campus — I’m shocked that we’re not at a nearly 80 or 90 percent rate,” Baker said.
The final results of the competition will be posted next week.
