RecycleMania!

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.