VCU approaches the 17-ton mark in nationwide recycling competition, underway on college campuses through April.
This year Virginia Commonwealth University joined the ranks of more than 400 colleges across the country to increase recycling on campus through the national program RecycleMania 2008.
“I am hoping to spread more awareness to students on the importance of recycling and how it can be a simple step that each of us can take to help the environment,” said VCU Recycling Coordinator Steven Heinitz, who approached campus food service provider ARAMARK Higher Education about teaming up for the 10-week RecycleMania program.
As of March 1, the VCU community has recycled more than 13 tons of paper and almost 4 tons of drink containers.
“VCU students have been vocal about the campus going ‘green,’ and RecycleMania is a good venue for promoting what is already recycled on campus,” said Louise Kapelewski, ARAMARK marketing manager. “A competitive spirit can often be an excellent venue for raising awareness.”
RecycleMania began in 2001 with the goal to increase student awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization. Campuses compete in different contests to see which institution can accumulate the largest amount of recyclables, the least amount of trash or have the highest recycling rate.
As a registered participant, VCU will collect paper, plastic, glass and aluminum recycled from residence halls and campus hubs, such as the Shafer Court Dining Center and the University Student Commons, through April 5 specifically for RecycleMania.
Junior Lauren O’Neill recently became an active recycler after she and her fellow graphic design classmates started to notice excess paper piling up during class.
“The various art departments and the School of the Arts in general has taken a special interest in promoting recycling and we are now more aware of the amount of paper we are using,” she said.
O’Neill — a marketing assistant intern for ARAMARK — found ways to combine her environmental and creative interests by designing many of VCU’s RecycleMania posters and banners.
But according to Kapelewski, VCU is also relying on word-of-mouth advertising from student groups such as the VCU Green Team, a newly established Student Government Association organization committed to turning VCU green.
“There are nearly 32,000 students at VCU, and if each person recycled and carried the message to other people then they would be more likely to seek out recycling when they are going around their daily lives,” Kapelewski said.
O’Neill agreed.
“RecycleMania is more a community effort to get people more aware and make better choices,” she said. “It’s nice to know you can make a difference.”
