SUNY Fredonia climbs back into RecycleMania ring

SUNY Fredonia is once again participating in “RecycleMania,” a competition between colleges and universities that in one year’s time has more than doubled in size and grown to an international level.

Fredonia will compete in various categories over a 10-week period from Jan. 18 through March 28, measuring the success of its recycling and waste prevention efforts. This year, 510 schools have agreed to participate, up 25 percent from 2008’s total registrants. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are represented in 2009, as are colleges and universities from Canada, India and Islampur.

The primary goal of the competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection (EPA), is to increase student awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization efforts. SUNY Fredonia’s individual goal is 80,000 total pounds of recycled materials, an average of 8,000 pounds per week during the full competition. Last year the campus generated more than 75,000 pounds, or 12.45 pounds per person.

All students, faculty and staff are invited to join the campus-wide campaign to improve resource conservation by expanding SUNY Fredonia’s already considerable recycling volume, which has become remarkably easier and more streamlined to participate in than it was just one year ago.

“Our recent move to a combined recycling program should really help make a difference in our performance in this year’s competition,” said Kevin Cloos, director of the facilities services department at SUNY Fredonia. “By creating a one-stop-drop system that covers 17 different categories of recyclable material and takes the burden of sorting off of our campus community, we’re making it easier for everyone to do their part.”

In addition to this new streamlined recycling system, last semester’s distribution of 2,500 new “Go Green” recycling totes in all student residence hall rooms and faculty/staff offices, should also make a noticeable impact. “And we have increased the number of larger recycling bins installed among the more populated public areas on campus, knowing that convenience plays a huge role in our success,” Cloos added.

A formula, based on the number of full-time equivalent students, staff and faculty, is used by RecycleMania to calculate pounds collected per person. Last year Fredonia ranked 105th out of the 180 participants who completed the full program, and third among the four SUNY schools entered. This year, New York is tied for second in number of entrants with 37 colleges, including nine SUNY schools.

“We’ve also made sure it’s easy to follow our progress toward our 80,000-pound goal,” added Michael Barone, director of public relations who, along with Cloos, serves on the campus’ 25-member Sustainability Committee. “Not only can it be viewed online (www.fredonia.edu/gogreen), but there’s also a huge mural which doubles as a progress meter now installed in the campus’ Williams Center.”

Table tent cards and other promotional materials have been distributed in dining halls, residence halls, the library and other common areas across the campus to further promote Fredonia’s role in RecycleMania. Tallies for all 510 participating schools will be posted weekly at www.recyclemaniacs.org.
For additional information on such topics as conservation, re-use strategies, and other sustainable topics that can help you see how you can make a difference, please visit www.Fredonia.edu/gogreen.

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