University departments compete in recycling project

Several Grand Valley departments competed in a national recycling contest among 512 colleges and universities that aimed to increase student awareness about waste reduction.

Recyclemania ran for 10 weeks, ending in early April. Steve Leeser, operations supervisor for Facilities Services, said Grand Valley finished 36th overall for waste minimization. Recycling efforts throughout the university increased over last year. For 2008-09, Grand Valley recycled 221,494 pounds of material and 23 percent of its waste stream. Last year, more than 131,100 pounds of material were recycled and 18 percent of the waste stream.

To gain attention from students, Leeser said ads were run in the Lanthorn, and placed on tables in eating areas and buttons were distributed. Staff members in Campus Dining, Sustainability Initiative, and Pew Campus Operations, along with the Student Senate, helped Facilities Services during the contest.