What is RecycleMania?
RecycleMania is a competition between universities of all sizes to promote waste production on campuses across the country. Over 8 weeks UMBC will report our recycling and trash collection rates to RecycleMania Inc, a non-profit made up of various university sustainability coordinators. Our rates will be compared to other participants and ranked according to overall efficiency. Efficiency is determined by total amount of recyclables, least amount of trash, highest recycling rate, and other variables. For more information about the competition visit www.recyclemaniacs.org.
UMBC’s Goals
In 2014 UMBC was ranked in the top 100 of 273 participating universities and we want to continue towards the top of the heap. To accomplish this Sustainability Coordinators on campus are implementing new, permanent signage at trash sorting locations in the commons, residence halls, RAC, and other locations on campus. There will be a variety of celebrations and competitions on campus as well, running 8 weeks from the beginning of February. Faculty and staff in addition to clubs, residence halls, frats, and other student orgs will be participating over the course of the competition to promote sustainability on campus and move UMBC to the forefront of the national sustainability movement.
How Can You Help?
Check out sustainability.umbc.edu for any information you’ll need about sustainability on campus. The website contains various guides and links to help you go green at home, at school, and in life. For information on helping to coordinate the competition or other sustainability events during the year, email tanvig1@umbc.edu.
Event Schedule:
-Kickoff Fair on Commons Mainstreet – February 5th 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
-Weekly Recyclemania Tabling Events: Commons Mainstreet from 12-1 PM
- Monday 2/9: Exchange your plastic water bottles to receive a new reusable one!
- Tuesday 2/17: "Trash on Your Back" Challenge sign-ups
- Wednesday 2/25: "Trash on Your Back" Photo competition booth
- Monday 3/2: Turn in plastic grocery bags for a surprise!
- Monday 3/9: Cupcake decorating
- Wednesday 3/25: TBD
- Wednesday 2/11 @ 7 PM: Zero Waste GreenOut Men's Basketball game vs Stony Brook University
- 2/22 – 2/27: "Trash on Your Back" Challenge
- Thursday 3/12: BoxMania fort party starts at 8 PM in the fort
Other events will include a talk given by a local green architecture firm, and many more awesome chances to get involved with sustainability on campus. Be sure to check out sustainability.umbc.edu/recyclemania to stay up to date on event additions and opportunities to win big by catching the #GreenGrit.