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UW-Eau Claire promotes recycling for nationwide competition

RELEASED: Feb. 5, 2010

EAU CLAIRE — Each spring college campuses across the country compete to reduce, reuse and recycle the most campus waste. Over a 10-week period, from Jan. 17-March 27, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, along with the other UW System campuses, will do its part to promote waste prevention.

The effort is led by student volunteers from the Student National Environmental Health Association and the campus Conservationists, who are posting information on waste and recycling bins around campus, promoting residence hall competitions and partnering with local waste hauler Veolia Environmental Services to measure their progress.

"I am proud of our student organizations for leading UW-Eau Claire's competition in RecycleMania," said Dr. Crispin Pierce, associate professor of public health professions and faculty adviser for the Conservationists and SNEHA. "Whether it is reducing costs and consumption by recycling, examining our campus carbon footprint or educating about the health risks from our coal-fired heating plant, students have taken the lead."

Other year-round university initiatives include:

  • Purchasing office equipment with waste prevention in mind.
  • Working with vendors to reduce transportation packaging.
  • Promoting reusable envelopes for interoffice and campus mail.
  • Reducing unwanted bulk mail and duplicate subscriptions.
  • Promoting the use of printer settings and paper reduction software.
  • Promoting a system for reporting wasteful practices.
  • Educating employees and students about waste minimization practices.
  • Waste minimization competition.

Launched in 2001, RecycleMania began as a friendly challenge between Ohio University and Miami University to increase recycling on their campuses during college basketball season. The contest has expanded rapidly to include 607 colleges and universities and has gained recognition as a barometer of collegiate sustainability efforts. In 2007 UW-Eau Claire took fourth in the nation for greatest waste minimization.

For complete contest background and details, visit the RecycleMania Web site, or contact Katrina Smith at smithk@uwec.edu or 715-410-6417.

-30-

RD/DW

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