Students around Auburn are spreading awareness of reducing, reusing and recycling through the program RecycleMania.
The RecycleMania kickoff, held last Wednesday, was a huge success.
Students set up tables to encourage volunteering and advertise about specific recycling groups around campus.
“I had a great time at the kickoff,” said Allen Nunnally, a junior in marketing. “There were a lot of people there, and I even got a free T-shirt from Dean Green.”
After four consecutive weeks, Auburn holds 4th place in the SEC with a total of 3.43 pounds of recyclables per person.
The totals are calculated by dividing the weight of recyclables by the population of each school.
With Kentucky, Arkansas and Florida leading and five weeks to go, Auburn students have a lot of recycling to do.
“I think we have a good chance of finishing within the top 100 schools nationwide and within the top three schools within the SEC,” said Donny Addison, waste reduction and recycling coordinator for Auburn University.
Addison said success starts with students.
“This event really leaves it up to the students to get involved,” Addison said. “AU recycling is growing, and we are placing more and more recycling bins out around campus every week.”
Addison believes the Auburn students will show the necessary initiative to increase recycling.
“I think when there is a choice between recycling or the landfill, students here at AU will make the right choice,” Addison said. “Think of the impact that millions of students will have on our nation’s landfills when they make the decision to reduce their waste and recycle everything else.”
Students who live on campus are given recycling bags to fill with paper, cardboard, plastic and cans. The bags are then taken to one of the 40 blue recycling bins located behind the major college buildings.
Students living off-campus are encouraged to bring their recycling to the bins as well.
“I save all my plastic bottles and cans and bring them to the blue bins once a week,” said Trenton Hodges, a sophomore in electrical engineering. “It feels good to know that I’m doing something to help the community.”
The program has already made a large impact on the Auburn community.
Addison believes we should continue recycling after the 10 weeks of RecycleMania are over.
A cookout will be held April 13 for the residential hall that wins the on-campus award for most recyclables.
To learn more, visit www.auburn.edu/recycling/recyclemania
