Looking to save the planet and be a superhero? You don’t need to jump off any skyscraper or keep a burning meteorite at bay. Just take part in the RecycleMania.
Can we do better than 67th in RecycleMania?
RecycleMania is a recycling and waste-reduction competition among U.S. schools. Begun in two schools in Ohio in 2001, the 10-week long competition ranks schools for how much material they recycle versus how much trash they generate. Rankings that compare schools on a per-capita basis are produced each week.
Loras, which joined the competition in 2008, has been categorized in the “competition division.” Loras ranked 99th out of 180 schools in its first year of participation and 67th out of 206 schools last year. Besides Loras, Grinnell and Morningside Colleges are in the “competition division” from Iowa. Central, Mount Mercy and Simpson are in the “benchmark division,” which is not competitive.
The comparisons from 2008, 2009 and 2010 have shown that the response has been positive. More and more colleges are interested in participating in RecycleMania around the country. Along with enhancing recycling efforts, the competition also aims to make students and community members aware of their waste and recognize areas for improvement.
The number of participant schools is increasing every year along with more and more recyclables and waste stream. (Source: RecycleMania.org)
“The recycling numbers are rising at Loras and in Iowa as well,” said junior Sujan Devbhandari, an intern at Loras Solid Waste Education Office (Loras-SWEO).
With the help of Loras Housekeeping, Loras-SWEO keeps track of the waste from most of the buildings here on campus.
“We keep tabs on all the buildings’ trash and recycling weights. However, with regards to Byrn Oaks and Lynch McCarty apartments, we estimate the weight by the proportion in the Dumpsters,” added Devbhandari.
According to the Loras College website, 35,458 pounds of recyclables and 4,325 pounds of food scraps were collected at Loras in 2009 during the competition.
At Loras, some of the changes in the past have included expanding recycling in residence halls and the Cafe’s participation in the City of Dubuque food-scrap composting program. In addition, The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency Education Office is working with the Loras Residence Life Office, housekeeping staff and Aramark dining services to coordinate recycling efforts.
In eight categories, a total of 607 colleges and universities (382 for the “competition division” and 225 for the “benchmark division”) are participating across the United States, Canada and as far away as Qatar this year. The contest runs from Jan. 17 to March 27, with representation by more than 5 million students and 1.3 million faculty and staff.
Last year, more than 69.4 million pounds of recyclables and compostable organics were recovered from 510 colleges and universities across the country during the competition. This equaled the prevention of the release of 88,739 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere.
The RecycleMania competition is administered by the National Recycling Coalition and is endorsed by the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, which Loras College President Jim Collins has signed. Keep America Beautiful, in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise program, helps oversee the effort. The Coca-Cola Co. provides additional sponsorship support.
This is week 5, and Loras currently ranks 81st, while Grinnell is ranked 31st out of 264 schools. Can’t we do better than Grinnell?
