RecycleMania 2019 is underway

Grand Valley is once again participating in a national competition to collect the largest amount of recyclables and the least amount of trash.

From February 4-March 30, Grand Valley will compete against hundreds of colleges and universities across the country as a part of RecycleMania. Categories in the eight-week competition include diversion and food organics, or composting.

Participating universities report the amount of trash, recyclables and food waste collected each week and are ranked in the categories.

In the 2018 competition, Grand Valley made the Top 10, ranking eighth overall in the recycling category, along with universities such as Harvard and Stanford.

Grand Valley also ranked 12th in the nation in the diversion category, which is based on the percentage of the total weight of recyclables and food organics diverted from total waste generated.

Janet Aubil, operations supervisor for Facilities Services, said the competition helps educate people about recycling and composting at Grand Valley.

“We appreciate anything students, faculty and staff members can do to help us. We hope they continue a habit of recycling while at Grand Valley and in the future,” she said.

For a list of recyclable items, visit the Facilities Services website.

Facilities Services is leading the contest, with support from Campus Dining, Office of Housing and Residence Life, Office of Sustainability Practices, and Student Environmental Coalition. Students on Campus Dining’s Green Team are also providing support by educating people about recycling and reducing waste.

For more information about RecycleMania, visit www.recyclemania.org. For more information about RecycleMania at Grand Valley, visit www.gvsu.edu/facilitiesservices.