For the second year, UD will be participating in the Targeted Materials competition for paper, cardboard, bottles and cans. All amounts of those recyclables will be weighed on a per capita basis and reported weekly, with the results posted on the RecycleMania Web site, [www.recyclemania.org].
During RecycleMania 2007, UD recycled 96,606 total pounds of paper, corrugated cardboard, bottles and cans. The goal for RecycleMania 2008 has been set at 100,000 pounds or more.
"Last year, UD was the first institution of higher education in Delaware to enter RecycleMania and this year UD is the only representative from the state. We had great success in our first year participating, and we know that this is a great opportunity to represent the state of Delaware in this competition," Ryan Boyer, director of marketing in Dining Services who is directing UD involvement in the project, said.
RecycleMania began in 2001 as a competition between Ohio University and Miami University of Ohio, and has grown tremendously each year since. Each year since the inception of the competition entries have nearly doubled.
At UD, RecycleMania is being sponsored by Dining Services, Residence Life, Facilities/Grounds and Custodial Services.
Also returning this year is the UD residence hall recycling competition. Residence halls are being challenged to see which residential complex residents can increase the amount they recycle the most per capita by the time RecycleMania ends.
"It's important for everyone to do their part in making the campus recycling program successful," Roger Bowman, UD grounds manager in charge of campus recycling, said. "Be sure to place materials in the correct receptacles and to rinse out containers, because maintaining the cleanliness of the system for proper sorting allows us to recycle more."
Students may visit the Dining Services Web site, [www.udel.edu/dining/sustainability.html], for updates on the campuswide competition.
UD students and employees are being asked to collect recyclables including paper, cardboard, bottles and cans. Items can be taken to the color-coded recycling bins located outside of residence halls, as well as other academic and administrative buildings across campus. The Dining Services Web site also lists several locations across campus where recycling bins are located.
RecyleMania is endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WasteWise Program, the National Recycling Coalition's College and University Recycling Council, and the National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology Program.