Courtney Lu, senior in chemistry, has dedicated her last three football seasons at Auburn University to help promote recycling and sustainability on campus.
"I've always been involved in some kind of recycling organization since I was in elementary school," Lu said.
Courtney Washburn, recycling coordinator at the Department of Waste Reduction and Recycling, said the game day recycling program celebrated its 10th season this fall.
According to Washburn, the department has partnered with the athletic department to promote recycling at tailgates on game day.
Washburn said the first 12 students to volunteer receive a pass into the football game.
However, she said Lu volunteers even if she does not get a football game pass.
Washburn said two volunteers are sent to each of the six main tailgating areas on campus to pass out recycling bags.
Lu's route is Wire Road.
"It doesn't matter what time it is, how bad the weather is or who we are playing, Courtney (Lu) is there and dedicated to Game Day Recycling," Washburn said.
According to Lu, recycling is fulfilling to her because of the environmental impact it has. Lu said her favorite part about participating in the program is the people she has met on her route and the relationships she formed with them.
"The tailgaters know her, and she knows them," Washburn said.
Lu said she also tries to promote recycling when she goes home to Huntsville. Lu recruited her cousin Emily Ong, freshman in biosystems engineering, to join Game Day Recycling.
Ong said Lu made her aware of the opportunity because she is always trying to get her involved on campus, and she usually says yes to everything Lu suggests.
"We're very close, so it's great to get to spend time together on our two-hour route while also doing our part to promote sustainability and save the planet," Ong said.
According to Washburn, building services deals with all recycling contracts on campus in some way. Washburn also said building services places 900 trashcans and 300 recycling bins on campus every game day.
The goal of game day recycling is to try to promote recycling and make sure all guests on campus have an opportunity to recycle their trash, according to Washburn.
Washburn said game day recycling collected 41 tons of recycled materials in 2013 with the help of Lu and other volunteers.
Washburn said Lu deserves recognition for her hard work and dedication to recycling over the years because sometimes it means waking up early, and sometimes it means dealing with harsh weather.
"She shows up every week with enthusiasm," Washburn said.
Lu said she encourages Auburn students to join the recycling effort.
"It is such a great thing to reduce waste, and do our part protect the environment," Lu said.
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