Contact: Kenneth Billings
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Midway through a national challenge, Mississippi State students have more than 3,400 pounds of trash collected for recycling.
Designed to draw attention to recycling programs and waste reduction, the university's "Recyclemania" program is sponsored by the campus Dining Services department and Residence Hall Association, in cooperation with Green Starkville.
The 10-week annual project of the Washington, D.C.-based College and University Recycling Council also seeks to raise awareness and participation in the recycling process. (For more, visit www.recyclemaniacs.org/overview.htm.)
Colleges and universities of all sizes are participating in either the competitor or benchmark divisions. MSU is a benchmark participant.
"Recycling is one of the easiest things students and universities can be involved in," said Green Starkville founder Nancy Cain, an MSU Environmental Collaborative Office committee member. "It is very important to work toward conserving our natural resources and encourage new generations to think about sustainability and make it a part of their everyday activity."
After six weeks, 3,419 pounds of paper, plastic, metal, and cardboard have been collected across campus, said Jason Bertrand, RHA adviser and project coordinator.
"Many students were just waiting for something like this to happen," he said. "They want to be responsible and take part, and a lot of times all they need is an opportunity."
Bertrand said receptacles have been placed in all residence halls and weekly totals are kept of materials collected from each. Dining Services prizes of free coffee and lunches are being awarded to students caught in the act of recycling.
As a benchmark participant, MSU does not "compete" against other national universities. Totals are reported, however, and compared with those of other participating schools.
For more information, visit http://www.greenstarkville.org/msu/recyclemania.php.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.