UA News

UA's Residence Life unit has participated in RecycleMania since 2001. This will be the first year the entire campus community has been involved.

The University of Arizona has received more recognition for its sustainability-conscious habits in recent years, and it is hoping for even more in 10 weeks.

While Residence Life, the unit responsible for on-campus living, has been involved in RecycleMania since 2001, this year marks the first time the greater UA community will participate in the 10-week competition.

RecycleMania pits colleges and universities across the nation against one another in a drive to see who can recycle the most during a 10-week period that began Jan. 18. To date, more than 430 schools are registered for RecycleMania.

"It's huge. It's getting our name out there – nationwide – and helping us to educate people on our own campus," said Liz Zavodsky, the coordinator of sustainability education in Residence Life.

On Tuesday, those interested in learning about RecycleMania should visit the UA Mall between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Zavodsky and her team will be offering information about the competition and urging people to sign cards pledging their commitment to recycling.

Recycling bins are located around campus and in buildings and, each week, the material will be weighed and the numbers docked with RecycleMania.

The campus is urged to recycle aluminum, plastic, cardboard, paper, tin and chipboard, such as cereal boxes. Recycling bins are located around campus and in buildings.

Last year, Residence Life recycled more than 65,500 pounds of material. Some materials is taken to the UA's recycling yard and other material is taken to Tucson Iron & Metal, Zavodsky said.

And people are also asked to figure out ways to reuse and to excessive use of materials, she added.

"As an institution, we need to recycle and participate in waste minimization," Zavodsky said, noting that the Arizona Student Unions sells about 1,500 single-serve bottles of water daily.

"That is astronomical considering we can get our own reusable mugs. You're recycling. Now we're asking people to take it one step further and talking about ethical consumptions and getting into the habit of reusing," she said.

"It makes sense to do this, and it is important for us to participate," Zavodsky said, noting UA President Robert N. Shelton's commitment to sustainability and numerous efforts on campus to go green.

Since arriving at the UA, Shelton has created the Campus Sustainability Committee and also signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, which binds institutions to the promise of helping to curb and eventually eliminate campus greenhouse emissions.

During the fall semester, the UA was named among the nation's highest achieving institutions for its pervasive sustainability efforts. The recognition came through a report by the National Wildlife Federation and the Princeton Survey Research Associates International.

"It's important that people know about these services on campus," Zavodsky said, adding that Residence Life began its own recycling program about 10 years ago.