As those in Hokie Nation will attest, Virginia Tech continues to define ways to invent the future through teaching, research and outreach — and setting new, higher standards for recycling waste can be added to the list.

RecycleMania 2012 is under way will run through March 31.

RecycleMania is a friendly competition among colleges and universities in the United States and Canada that compares the effectiveness of each institution’s recycling programs. Approximately 400 schools will compete to reduce waste, increase recycling, and raise awareness of conservation issues on campus.

This year, Virginia Tech’s goal is to increase recycling (in all categories) by 10 percent from last year’s results and decrease trash by 5 percent.

The 2011 Competition Results (in pounds)

  • Bottles and Cans: 42,740
  • Paper: 121,000
  • Cardboard: 123,920
  • Food service organics (compost): 159,660
  • Trash: 1,117,210

“RecycleMania is a fun opportunity to focus on our recycling efforts and see how we stack up against other college and university programs,” said Denny Cochrane, Virginia Tech’s sustainability program manager. “But, we do take it seriously in that we include the results of this competition as part of our Climate Action Commitment.”

Everyone can participate in RecycleMania by simply putting recyclables into recycling bins located across campus instead of the trash.

The five categories measured last year will again be measured this year. The data collection and submission will be handled through Virginia Tech’s Office of Energy and Sustainability.

For more information about recycling at Virginia Tech, visit Virginia Tech Recycling online.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

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