University competing in RecycleMania

UNC Charlotte again is participating in RecycleMania, a competition designed to promoted waste reduction at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada.

This year’s contest is Feb. 4 through March 31; the University’s Sustainability and Recycling teams are facilitating UNC Charlotte’s participation.

Throughout the competition, events will take place to help the campus community understand the importance of waste diversion. During the eight-week period, the University will lead several events including a collection targeting electronic waste and paper shredding.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate by placing unwanted items in appropriate receptacles. Signage placed near bins across campus will aid with proper disposal. The overall goal of the competition is to reduce landfill waste by diverting items for composting or recycling.

The College of Arts + Architecture and College of Computing and Informatics are contributing to the competition through their second annual “Statement Making” Digital Fabrication Fashion Show. Through aid of the Charlotte Green Initiative, students and professors are using electronic waste to construct the runway, table centerpieces and backdrop for the event.

“Each can, piece of paper or plastic bottle we divert from the landfill is a small victory that we can celebrate,” stated Tyler Sytsma, University sustainability coordinator.

Sytsma encourages the campus community to participate by “reminding others of actions they can take to help the University gain recognition in the RecycleMania competition.”

Annually RecycleMania “generates attention and support for campus recycling programs.” Schools measure and submit the amount of landfill waste and recycling collected in an effort to win accolades through the competition.