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Hours into my freshman year, a hall mate asked if I was going to the women’s volleyball match. It wasn’t so much an invitation; he really wanted me to recognize his school pride. I was still unpacking and disoriented and not at all interested in early season collegiate volleyball. If memory serves, the match was being held in a local high school’s gym. This could not have been a lower priority.
He was stunned when I declined.
Some people are just born with the unabashed school spirit gene. And if you’re going to paint your face to watch badminton or chess, why not channel that energy towards a good cause? RecycleMania is right up your alley.
“Over a 10-week period, campuses compete in different contests to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate.”
This year is RecycleMania VII. The first competition was held in 2001, between Ohio University and Miami University. Ed Newman (Ohio) and Stacy Edmonds Wheeler (Miami) set out to increase recycling on their campuses. Last year, 93 schools participated. We’re one step away from office RecycleMania pools. Follow the action at RecycleMania.org.
It’s not Miami University, rather University of Miami.
posted by Rebecca on 4-3-2007 at 8:07 am
While I appreciate your attempt to keep me accurate, I must tell you that you’re wrong.
University of Miami is in Florida, and is not the school I’m talking about. I’m talking about Miami University, in Ohio. Where difficult-to-spell athletes Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Roethlisberger shined.
posted by Jason on 4-3-2007 at 8:56 am
The problem I have with this contest is that the scoring seems to be based on the weight of recyclables, rather than on how little trash is produced. It seems like that might be a better measure. Recycling is really good, but reducing and reusing are necessary too!
posted by srah on 4-3-2007 at 10:41 am
The lowest amount of trash per capita makes sense, but doesn’t largest amount of recyclables per capita tacitly encourage excessive consumption?
I know college is a time that many are stretching the boundaries, but it would seem to be counter to the character of this exercise.
posted by rleaf on 4-3-2007 at 11:13 am
Oh my God that is my school in that photo! I know that isn’t something to be that shocked about by my university, Rice, is really small and not that well known. Are you, the author, from Rice?
posted by Isaias Torres on 4-3-2007 at 5:01 pm
Isaias — I am not from Rice, but I hear good things. Just a guy with access to Google Images.
Is recycling big in Owl Country?
(Does anyone call it Owl Country?)
posted by Jason on 4-3-2007 at 7:49 pm
I believe I have heard it referred to as Owl Country before.
I don’t think we would be considered Maniacs at recycling, but the environmental club does make a valiant effort and we are supplied with recycling bins in every room and at the end of each of the halls.
posted by Isaias Torres on 4-4-2007 at 4:13 pm
I believe the contest - if you read the rules on the website - has several options for schools to compete including “reducing” and “recycling”. The last time I checked most U.S. college campuses send about 50 to 70 percent of their trash to the landfill that could have been recycled - so I see the competition as a great way to get all three R’s (reduing, reusing and recycling) on the radar with college students who often times don’t care what they throw away and where they throw it away.
posted by fellow maniac on 4-7-2007 at 10:03 pm
The contest is reaching it’s final stretch for the year it seems, ending on April 16
But the Myspace page is going strong.
And do something good for the world and your school.
posted by Dan on 4-10-2007 at 1:06 pm