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February 23, 2009
Recyclemania goal is to crush competitors

By kIM URQUHART

For its fourth year, Emory has joined campus recycling programs across the country in the Recyclemania competition to see who can collect the most recyclable materials while curbing the level of trash. Over a 10-week period, schools compete in different contests to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables and the least amount of trash per capita.

With 514 colleges and universities vying for the Recyclemania crown, “it’s a tough competition,” says Claire Wall, Emory Recycles administrative program coordinator. With the competition under way, Wall hopes to rally the campus community to reduce and recycle even more: “Everything is counted, so we need to continue and increase our recycling efforts.”

Results breakdown from Week 3 of Recyclemania, Feb. 1-7:

• 12.10% weekly recycling rate
• 2.04 pounds/person recycled
• 16.89 pounds of waste per person
• 47,759 pounds recycled in one week

Track Emory’s weekly results during the competition, which ends March 28, at www.recyclemaniacs.org.

In other recycling news:

Recycle your E-waste
Emory Recycles and Atlanta Recycling Solutions are hosting E-Waste Recycling Day on Feb. 28 for faculty, students, staff and residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. The electronics recycling event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on the Briarcliff Campus, in the front parking lot.

“Electronic waste grows as rapidly as new technology is developed,” says Wall. “It is important to keep computers and other electronics out of the landfill to help preserve space and, most importantly, to ensure the hazardous materials used to make electronics are properly disposed.”

Recycle computers, cell phones, stereos, televisions for a $10 fee, microwaves, and more. E-Waste Recycling Day is for personal items only; all Emory-owned electronics are recycled through Surplus Properties with Atlanta Recycling Solutions.

Volunteer to audit trash
Responding to a request from the students at Clairmont Towers Apartments for more convenient recycling bins, Emory Recycles will be conducting a trash audit on March 19, 8:30 a.m. at the Emory Recycling Center.

“Perhaps there are a couple of tons of recyclables in the trash that could be kept out of the landfills if recycling was more convenient,” says Wall.

Wall hopes the Clairmont Towers residents will lend a helping hand, and welcomes volunteers from around the University. “Come dig through the trash with us!,” she says, noting that gloves will be provided.

For more information on Emory Recycles initiatives, contact Claire Wall at Emory Recycles, 404-712-8921.