Colleges and Universities Recover 89.1 Million Pounds of Recyclable Materials

http://americanrecycler.com

Rutgers University and United States Military Academy (West Point) are just two of the schools topping the rankings of the annual RecycleMania Tournament, which leverages campus spirit to increase recycling and waste reduction at colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada. All told, 461 schools participated this year representing more than 5.3 million students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.

Colleges and universities competing in the eight-week competition are ranked according to how much recycling, trash and food waste they collect. Between the early-February kickoff and the tournament’s final day on March 29, participating schools recycled or composted 89.1 million pounds of recyclables and organic materials.

In addition to Rutgers and West Point, the colleges and universities taking home top prizes include:

  • Grand Champion (percentage of overall waste that is recycled): Antioch University (93.13 percent).
  • Per Capita Classic (total pounds of recyclables per person):  Kalamazoo College (48.62 lbs.).
  • Waste Minimization (least overall waste per person): Valencia College (2.87 lbs.).

The national winners of each category are recognized with an award made from recycled materials.

During this 14th annual tournament, updated weekly rankings allowed schools to track their performance in eight categories – measuring their recycling rate; overall recycling by weight; least amount of total waste; and per capita recovery for paper, cardboard, cans and bottles, and food waste. Colleges also participated in special categories targeting electronics, film plastics and waste materials generated at home basketball games.

The competition is made possible with the sponsorship support of the American Forest & Paper Association, Alcoa Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company and SCA.

*For more information go http://americanrecycler.com

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