RecycleMania challenges Hokies to get in the game
It is time again for Virginia Tech to “get into the game,” the game of recycling.
For the past seven years, Virginia Tech has participated in the nationally recognized, Environmental Protection Agency sponsored RecycleMania program.
RecycleMania 2013, which runs through March 30, is a friendly competition among colleges and universities across North America. Virginia Tech will compete against more than 600 schools to reduce waste, increase recycling, and raise awareness of conservation issues on campus. Data will be collected and recorded for the competition through Virginia Tech’s Office of Energy and Sustainability in the following categories: paper, bottles and cans, cardboard, food service organics (composting), and municipal solid waste.
“RecycleMania is a great opportunity for the Hokie Nation to focus recycling efforts as a community and see how we compare to other college and university programs,” said Denny Cochrane, Virginia Tech’s sustainability program manager.
Cochrane notes the competition is open to the entire campus. All faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to participate.
RecycleMania 2012 Highlights
- Virginia Tech recycled 578,060 pounds of materials, a 29 percent increase from 2011 (447,320 pounds)
- Paper recycling total increased by more than 70 percent.
- Food service organics increased by 23 percent.
The 2012 Competition Results (in pounds)
- Bottles and cans: 45,420
- Paper: 208,420
- Cardboard: 127,920
- Food service organics (compost): 196,300
This year, Virginia Tech’s goal is to increase recycling (in all categories) by 5 percent from last year’s results and decrease trash by 5 percent.
"Everyone can easily participate in RecycleMania by placing recyclables into recycling bins located across campus," said Cochrane. “This competition is very important to Virginia Tech because the results are included in our Climate Action Commitment."
For more information about recycling at Virginia Tech, visit Virginia Tech Recycling.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
