ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University is off and running in "Recyclemania 2002," which started Feb. 4 and ends April 7. The first weigh-in revealed that the Bobcats are leading the four-team competition and are well ahead of last year's first weigh-in numbers in the 10-week contest.
Each week, recyclables recovered from residence halls and dining halls will be weighed, and then divided by the number of students residing on campus. This year, Ohio University weighed in with a contest-leading 4.6 pounds of recyclables per student, followed by 4.5 for Bowling Green State University, 3.7 for Harvard University and 3.2 for last year's winner, Miami University. Last year, Ohio University and Miami University combined to recycle more than 170 tons of trash during the first Recyclemania competition.
"Last year our pounds per student was 4.0 after the first week, so we are feeling very optimistic about our chances of winning the Recyclemania 2002 trophy," says Henry Woods, Ohio University campus recycling coordinator. "We have improved our methods of promotion and are much, more organized this year. These first-week numbers are a reflection of this."
One of the changes Ohio University made this year is the addition of student recycling leaders called wastebusters. These students are responsible for making sure residence hall students know about and are consistently reminded about the competition. New Recyclemania bulletin boards also have been placed in residence halls to keep students updated.
More than a friendly competition, Recyclemania 2002 is a plan with a purpose. Recycling addresses serious environmental and economic concerns, and it is hoped that members of the campus community will jump on and stay on the recycling bandwagon.
"We're looking for ways to create more interest in recycling," Ohio University Refuse and Recycling Manager Ed Newman said. "The underlying purpose is to bring more attention to recycling and energy conservation."
For more information, contact Ed Newman at (740) 593-0231 or newmane@ohio.edu.
