Grand Valley scores big in Game Day Challenge

Results of the national Game Day Challenge competition were recently released and Grand Valley scored among the top 20 overall and number one among Division II and III schools in the organic reduction category.

This year’s competition, which aims to promote waste reduction at football games throughout the country, included 79 colleges and universities and more than 5.4 million fans.

At Grand Valley, the Sustainable Community Development Initiative, Campus Dining, Athletics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Facilities Services offices teamed together to create a zero waste environment at the home football game against Northwood University October 20.

More than 70 volunteers helped divert more than 2,580 pounds of material from the landfill, including 862 pounds of recyclable materials and 1,725 pounds of compostable materials. Recycle and compost bins were placed throughout campus at tailgating parking lots, at entrances to Lubbers Stadium and near seating inside the stadium.

Steve Leeser, operations supervisor for Facilities Services, said he hopes to continue the momentum and participate in the challenge again next year. “Getting to zero waste is a goal, not an expectation,” Leeser said. “Right now we’re focusing on educating people about the importance of recycling and composting.”

From September through November 2012, Game Day Challenge participants diverted nearly 1.09 million pounds of waste from football games, which prevented more than 1,732 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

Learn more about Grand Valley’s recycling programhere.