Spring Break
University participates in recycling competition
by Destiny Aquino
Staff writer
News | 3/17/09
Posted online at 4:45 AM EST on 3/17/09
Brandeis is taking part in RecycleMania, a recycling competition among 202 universities that aims to encourage college students to recycle more in order to reduce waste, according to the Brandeis Web site.
Participating schools are ranked according to which collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, has the least amount of trash per capita or has the highest recycling rate. Over a 10-week period, such data is collected and compared with results from other universities. The winner will be announced at the end of March.
RecycleMania is a project of the College and University Recycling Council and is governed by a committee composed of professionals involved with sustainability issues on college campuses.
Since January Brandeis' recycling percentage was 8 percent, according to Sustainability Coordinator Janna Cohen-Rosenthal '03. She explained that the recycling rate is calculated as the percentage of waste against the percentage of recycling. Cohen-Rosenthal said that the latest data as of mid- February states that Brandeis is ranked 183 out of 202 colleges and universities in the RecycleMania.
Eco-Reps, student helpers to the sustainability coordinator in each quad or housing area, have been assisting in RecycleMania efforts by giving recycling grades and comments to each individual floor, according to Cohen-Rosenthal.
Cohen-Rosenthal believes that in light of Brandeis' low recycling rate, it is unlikely that the University will win. However, she said that it is still crucial to continue efforts to increase the University's recycling rate and decrease overall waste.
If the recycling rate doubles to 16 percent, there will be free ice cream available for the entire University campus on Earth Day, April 22, said Cohen-Rosenthal. She coordinated the prize with Aramark in order to create excitement over RecycleMania.
Students for Environmental Action is working to promote and aid the Eco-Reps in their efforts to teach students about RecycleMania, according to President of SEA Matt Schmidt '11.
Participating schools are ranked according to which collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, has the least amount of trash per capita or has the highest recycling rate. Over a 10-week period, such data is collected and compared with results from other universities. The winner will be announced at the end of March.
RecycleMania is a project of the College and University Recycling Council and is governed by a committee composed of professionals involved with sustainability issues on college campuses.
Since January Brandeis' recycling percentage was 8 percent, according to Sustainability Coordinator Janna Cohen-Rosenthal '03. She explained that the recycling rate is calculated as the percentage of waste against the percentage of recycling. Cohen-Rosenthal said that the latest data as of mid- February states that Brandeis is ranked 183 out of 202 colleges and universities in the RecycleMania.
Eco-Reps, student helpers to the sustainability coordinator in each quad or housing area, have been assisting in RecycleMania efforts by giving recycling grades and comments to each individual floor, according to Cohen-Rosenthal.
Cohen-Rosenthal believes that in light of Brandeis' low recycling rate, it is unlikely that the University will win. However, she said that it is still crucial to continue efforts to increase the University's recycling rate and decrease overall waste.
If the recycling rate doubles to 16 percent, there will be free ice cream available for the entire University campus on Earth Day, April 22, said Cohen-Rosenthal. She coordinated the prize with Aramark in order to create excitement over RecycleMania.
Students for Environmental Action is working to promote and aid the Eco-Reps in their efforts to teach students about RecycleMania, according to President of SEA Matt Schmidt '11.
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