Lehigh Tackles Recycling

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Though the day was cold and rainy on the October 11th football game, the Game Day Challenge was a success! Starting at 10 AM, our hardworking Game Day Green Team volunteers went around tailgates handing out recycling and trash bags to fans to encourage recycling. The fans were very receptive to the idea of using recycling bags at their tailgates to increase awareness around campus, and even praised the idea. Volunteers also engaged fans by riding around tailgates in a decorated golf cart handing out football shaped bottle openers to those who pledged to recycle and participated in our field goal game. During the game, the Game Day Green Team asked fans walking by to sign our pledge to recycle and ask questions about sustainability on campus. At half-time, they swept through the stands to collect recyclables from fans. The fans were very helpful and were very curious about whether the items they had purchased were recyclable or not. At the end of the game, the volunteers swept through the stadium to collect any leftover recyclables lying around in the stands.

So how did Lehigh do at the Game Day Challenge logistically? With an attendance of 4,984 people, fans accumulated 2000 pounds of waste and 1100 pounds of recycling. Unfortunately, our rankings against other schools will not be known until December, but how did Lehigh do from last year? Well, recycling efforts enhanced our recycling amounts per capita from 0.174 pounds per person at last year's game to 0.221 pounds per person this year!  However, Lehigh does need more improvement on the Waste Generation category, as it was raised to 0.622 pounds per person from 0.418 pounds per person at last year's game. The final diversion rate was 35.5%, slightly lower than last year's 41.5%. Although we increased our waste generation, we also increased our recycling habits. This can help us improve awareness around campus and get students more involved. You can help the movement to make Lehigh make Athletic events more green!

 

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