FIU recovers 635,575 pounds of recyclable materials


During the past two months, FIU competed with more than 390 colleges and universities in a tournament measured not in three pointers or foul shots, but in pounds of material recycled and composted. FIU placed second in the state of Florida and 27th in the nation, recycling 635,500 pounds of plastic, glass, cardboard, paper and aluminum, which prevented the release of 1,117 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E) into the atmosphere.

The eight-week competition, RecycleMania, harnesses the competitive energy of sports rivalries to engage students in increasing recycling and waste reduction on campuses nationwide. Schools are ranked according to how much recycling, trash and food waste they collect.

Recyclemania

The Office of Sustainability held a week-long recycling competition between Residence Halls. The winners were residents of the 3rd floor in Everglades Hall.

 

Between the Feb. 1 kickoff and the final recycling weigh-in on March 28, competing schools recycled or composted 80.1 million pounds of recyclables and organic materials, preventing the release of 129,411 MTCO2E into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to preventing annual emissions from 25,375 cars.

Other colleges and universities taking home top prizes include:

  • Grand Champion (percentage of overall waste that is recycled): Antioch University (96 percent)
  • Per Capita Classic (total pounds of recyclables per person): Loyola Marymount University (73.9 pounds)
  • Waste Minimization (least overall waste per person): North Lake College (3.3 pounds)

“This is the fifth year FIU has competed in RecycleMania,” said Ali Dutton, assistant director of the Office of University Sustainability. “Each year we have seen our total recycling weight increase. This year it increased by more than 22,000 pounds and our hope for the future is to get students more involved in this fun competition and take over the number one spot in the state.”

The 394 schools participating enrolled 4.5 million students, with the American contingent representing nearly one in five U.S. college students. The RecycleMania program is managed by Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading nonprofit that builds and sustains clean, green and beautifully vibrant communities.

Complete results for all categories can be found at the RecycleMania website, including a breakout that shows how schools performed by athletic conference, institution size, and state.

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

“We know that competition is a significant motivator,” said Jennifer Jehn, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “Keep America Beautiful is proud to encourage recycling among young leaders through the RecycleMania program. Congratulations to all the participants making a difference in their campus communities.”

The competition is made possible with the sponsorship support of Alcoa Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company.

“The students and universities participating in RecycleMania continue to drive impactful change by significantly reducing waste in hundreds of communities,” said Esra Ozer, president of the Alcoa Foundation. “Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation congratulate this year’s winners and participants on their remarkable efforts to promote recycling.”