The 2018 national Recyclemania competition is in full swing! The competition, which began on February 4 and will last until March 31, is a friendly competition between colleges and universities to promote recycling and waste reduction on college campuses nationwide. Lehigh has participated in this competition for the last six years. This year, the goal is to increase Lehigh’s waste diversion rate by at least 5 percent, compared to the pre competition waste diversion rate. The Office of Sustainability and Facilities Services have been working to raise awareness among faculty, staff, and students about what is and isn’t recyclable and also how to reduce waste.
“Recyclemania is an important measure of Lehigh's success as it relates to waste and recycling,” said Jordan Wolman ‘21, Communications & Event Assistant in the Office of Sustainability. “The competition provides a framework for which to view Lehigh's successes and areas that need improvement as we strive for a more sustainable campus.”
Lehigh kicked off Recyclemania by competing in Game Day Basketball on Feb. 5. This event promoted waste reduction and recycling at the Lehigh vs. Bucknell men’s home basketball game at Stabler Arena. The waste diversion rate at this game was 52.2 percent! The waste diversion rate at this home game will be compared to other college basketball games across the country. The Office of Sustainability also recently hosted a plastic bag swap event to encourage students, faculty, and staff to use reusable bags instead of plastic ones. This event also helped to raise awareness on campus about the plastic film recycling collection bins. There are seven collection bins on campus including STEPS Concourse, Rauch Business Center, Linderman Library, EWFM Library, Lamberton Hall, University Center, and Iacocca Hall.
“The Recyclemania events teach students how to be sustainable stewards, and this is not only important for the Recyclemania competition, but also in their lives beyond Lehigh,” said Samantha Smith ‘18, Eco-Rep Coordinator. “I hope that students become involved in the events and have that ‘aha’ moment, where they realize that environmentally friendly habits are a commitment to themselves, their communities, and the planet.”
So how is Lehigh doing so far in the Recyclemania competition? In the diversion category, which awards the school with the highest waste diversion percentage, Lehigh is ranked 87 out of 129 schools with a waste diversion rate of 26.8 percent. In the per capita classic category, which awards the school that collects the largest amount of recycling on a per person basis, Lehigh is ranked 44 out of 172 schools with 4.14 lbs of recycling per person. There is still a month left of the competition, which means that we still have time to improve! Final results will be posted on the Recyclemania website on April 26.
Check out the Recyclemania calendar of events to see how YOU can participate in this year’s Recyclemania competition! By reducing the amount of waste you generate and increasing recycling, you can help Lehigh not only compete in the Recyclemania competition, but also make our campus a more attractive place to study, work, and live.
Responsibility lies with all of us to make a difference.