ATHENS, Ohio -- The third annual Recycle Mania contest begins on Monday, Feb. 3, as more competitors join and hope to "trash" the competition. Eight schools will compete to see who can recycle the most pounds per student living on campus during the 10-week battle.

This year the contenders are: Ohio University, Bowling Green State University, Harvard University, Miami University, Ohio State University, University of Oregon, Washington University in St. Louis and Western Michigan University.

Last year Bowling Green edged Ohio University for the title, while Miami was third, followed by last-place Harvard. Miami defeated Ohio in the inaugural competition in 2001.

This year, the Bobcats are revved up and ready to take on the competition, old and new. "I'm talkin' trash and showing dirty pictures," said Ed Newman, Ohio University's Recycling and Refuse manager. The dirty pictures Newman speaks of show the pounds and pounds of recyclables found in campus dumpsters each week.

Newman, a co-founder of Recycle Mania, said the inspiration for the competition was the realization that so much unnecessary waste was being produced each week. Although each of the competing schools maintains a successful recycling program, the residence halls and dining halls typically generate 30 to 70 percent of total campus waste, half of which is recyclable items.

One of the major goals of Recycle Mania is to increase student awareness about recycling and involve them in their university's recycling program. The winning school receives possession of the coveted Recycle Mania Trophy, a modest man of 100-percent recycled goods created in 2001.

Despite two second-place finishes, Newman says Ohio University has much to celebrate. The number of participating schools has doubled for the third straight year.

"Recycle Mania has grown 100 percent each year and that is what really matters," he said. "The recycling message is out there and people are paying close attention."

For more information on Recycle Mania '03, visit the Ohio University Grounds, Recycling and Refuse Web site at www.facilities.ohiou.edu/recycle or contact Ed Newman at (740) 593-0231 or newmane@ohio.edu.