'RecycleMania' Sweeps U of G
February 02, 2012 - News Release
Starting Feb. 6, the University of Guelph will join “RecycleMania,” a friendly competition among more than 500 Canadian and American universities and colleges to see which school can recycle the most waste over eight weeks.
Weekly recycling efforts will be judged in categories including “Gorilla” (most waste recycled), “Grand Champion” (best recycling rate) and the “Per-Capita Classic” (most recycling per campus community member).
This is the 11th year for the competition, which promotes environmental sustainability on college and university campuses worldwide. In 2011, more than 280 schools participated, including six Canadian schools; the University of Ottawa ranked highest in the Grand Champion category (48.5-per-cent recycling rate).
New to RecycleMania this year is the E-Waste Division for recycling of handheld devices, computers and other consumer electronics.
“U of G recycles about 28 tonnes of e-waste a year on average, so this is an opportunity to build on our basic strengths,” said Gillian Maurice, sustainability co-ordinator in Physical Resources. “U of G has been recycling for decades now, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Guelph’s annual recycling rate has ranged from 17 to 40 per cent in recent years, said Maurice. “We hope that increased participation from the competition will make 2012 one of our best years yet.”
Students can recycle small electronics in drop boxes in the library, the University Centre and the Athletics Centre. For students, faculty and staff, the University will offer giveaways to people seen recycling, games and prizes, and participatory art in the UC.
A kickoff event will take place Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. in the UC courtyard.
For more information, visit www.pr.uoguelph.ca/sustain/recycling.
Contact:
Gillian Maurice
Sustainability Co-ordinator
Physical Resources
University of Guelph
519-824-4120, Ext. 58129
sustain@pr.uoguelph.ca
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Shiona Mackenzie, Ext. 56982, or shiona@uoguelph.ca.
