Calling All Recycling Maniacs

Last year, Seattle University made a respectable showing in Recyclemania. This year, campus organizers are looking to move into a top spot. 

An eight-week worldwide competition pitting colleges and universities against each other, Recyclemania rewards efforts to minimize waste. Making its Recyclemania debut last year, SU placed 12^th of nearly 200 schools. The university “hopes to place within the top 10 universities in this year’s competition,” says Eric Elliott, recycling coordinator and compost technician. 

Since last year’s competition, SU Facilities has made several important changes to reduce its waste, including an increase in compost collection and a move to a new recycling collection vendor. These measures have increased SU’s recycling rate to 73 percent (compared to 69 percent the year before) and save the university an additional $25,000 annually. 

To push that rate even higher, organizers are hosting a series of opportunities for students, faculty and staff to pitch in over the next few weeks. Click here to learn more about the competition and how you can get involved in helping SU earn a spot among the top recyclers. 

“A winner will be announced in early April,” says Elliott, “and if we all take the time to reduce our waste and put our recyclables in the right bin, hopefully Seattle University will be this year’s grand champion!”