Help boost BGSU to the top in Recyclemania

The Bowling Green campus is once again swept up in Recyclemania, a nationwide competition whose goal is to increase BGSU and other universities’ recycling rate and decrease waste. Running through March 29, the contest pits more than 600 colleges and universities against one another to see who can recycle the most over an eight-week period, as measured by weight.

BGSU residence halls have historically done well in the contest (adding a friendly competition against one another to the national effort). For the second year now, the entire University is participating in addition to the residence halls, and all recycling across campus will be counted in BGSU's totals each week. This means that everyone can help the University compete by recycling all around campus.

After President Mary Ellen Mazey signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2012, BGSU also chose to compete in the Waste Minimization category of RecycleMania as part of the plan to immediately reduce waste. This means that BGSU is not only recycling as much as possible, but also trying to significantly decrease waste.

Everyone can help by recycling and reducing their waste. Every can and bottle counts and every reusable mug used instead of a disposable cup is equally important. With everyone’s help, BGSU can be a serious competitor against the likes of Ohio State, University of Toledo, Miami, and hundreds of other schools in the green madness known as Recyclemania, said Dr. Nick Hennessy, sustainability coordinator.

Recycling containers are now in virtually every building on campus, and in most cases, on every floor, so it’s easy to find a place to recycle. Also this year, look for the “Caught Green-handed” crew — students who will patrol campus looking for people who are actively recycling. Those caught “green-handed” could win a gift card for Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts, reusable mugs and many other “green’ prizes.