SIUC off to strong 'RecycleMania' start

Students, faculty and staff at SIUC led all Illinois competitors in the pounds-per-capita portion of RecycleMania, a nationwide competition among 201 higher learning institutions, during the first week of the contest.

The University also reported strong numbers for the second week of the contest, which concluded Saturday, Feb. 10. During that week, SIUC personnel recycled 40,343 pounds of various items. Rankings for the second week will not be available until Thursday at the earliest, officials said.

The first week's national rankings placed SIUC No. 45 out of 140 schools participating in the Per-Capita Classic. SIUC recycled 41,397 pounds during the first week, which ended Feb. 3.

Along with the per-capita contest, the University also entered its successful vermicomposting program in the Targeted Materials portion of RecycleMania. The program involves some 2 million red wriggler worms munching daily on food service waste, resulting in rich fertilizer and less solid waste. SIUC is the only Illinois school participating in this portion of the contest.

The 10-week effort seeks to raise awareness and participation in campus recycling efforts. The contest challenges colleges and universities to reduce waste and preserve resources. It began Jan. 28 and ends April 7.