Trash and Recycling

PHILADELPHIA - Last year 4.7 million students and 1.1 million faculty and staff from 510 participating campuses collectively recycled or composted just over 69.4 million pounds of waste during the 10-week RecycleMania competition.This "friendly" competition pits colleges and universities in a contest with cross town rivals and schools across the nation to see who can reduce, reuse, and recycle the most campus waste. It offers bragging rights and special awards made out of recycled materials to the winning schools.Registration for the competition runs now through January 14, 2010 and is open to students, student organizations, staff, faculty or facility managers at degree-granting colleges and universities and runs now through January 14, 2010. Registration is fast and easy and can be done online at www.recyclemania.org or by contacting the RecycleMania helpline at (843) 278-7686.The contest begins January 17 and continues through March 27, 2010. RecycleMania uses the competitive spirit and campus rivalries to motivate students who might not respond to other environmental messages. Though many schools have had recycling and waste prevention programs for years, studies have found that large volumes of recyclables still end up in the trash. RecycleMania raises both awareness and, at in excess of 80 percent of participating schools, increases recycling levels.