Back in January 2001, the recycling coordinators at Ohio University and Miami University decided to challenge each other to find out which campus had students who would recycle better than the other. Thus, they launched the yearly RecycleMania: www.RecycleMania.com competition. This competition enables universities to compete and challenge each other to determine who can recycle the most.
Beginning in 2004, as explained on www.RecycleMania.com, they partnered with the US EPA WasteWise program to develop a website and provide administrative support for the program. Participation in the Tournament competition continued to grow with 93 schools in 2006; 210 in 2007; and 400 in 2008. The most recent 2011 competition included 630 colleges representing 49 states and 4 Canadian provinces. Over 7.5 million students and staff participated, collectively recycling 91 million pounds of recyclables and organic materials were recovered.
RecycleMania taps into university school spirit by turning recycling into competitive motivators to reach students who may not otherwise respond to environmental messages. When many college students are forming the habits and values they will carry for the rest of their lives, this competitive program works to reinforce and build on those practices.
One way that students can make recycling a daily habit is to have a Fibrex Group apartment multi-recycler bin in their dorm or apartment. Even the Clear View recycling receptacle would be perfect for common areas in the dorm building. Both recycling containers are made from recycled plastic, are sturdy, easy to use, and even look cool in a college student’s living space. Show the world & your university that you care about the environment – recycle!
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