RecycleMania
RecycleMania is a friendly competition among colleges and universities in North America. During eight weeks each spring, schools compete to reduce waste, increase recycling and raise awareness about waste management and resource conservation issues across campus.
Competition Categories
- Grand Champion - highest recycling rate for garbage, paper, cardboard and recylables
- Per Capita Classic - most recylables per person
- Waste Minimization - lowest weight per capita (strategies to reduce waste)
- Targeted Materials - most recylables in each stream per person (paper, cardboard, recyclables and organics)
The Acadia Tournament
Between February 6 and March 31 Acadia will compete against over 600 schools in Canada and the United States. Our Canadian competitors in the 2012 tournament include Queen's University, Mount Royal College, the University of Guelph and the University of Ottawa. The Universities of Calgary and Alberta are also entered in the Benchmark Division. There are too many US schools to mention them all, but wouldn't it be great to beat Stanford, Harvard, Notre Dame, MIT and the United States Air Forces Academy!
All staff, faculty and students are invited to participate in this campus-wide event to help Acadia take home the title. Departments and residences can appoint organize activities to help reduce waste and increase recycling in their facility. Acadia activities can take place at any time throughout the competition period. The type of activity is up to you. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
- Add new signage to your waste contaniers (here is the link http://www.rrfb.com/bin-signage.asp)
- Purchase office supplies with less packaging
- Confused about what goes where? Organize a waste sorting workshop (ask how we can help)
- Implement a double-sided printing policy
- Re-use paper
- Refuse junk-mail (cancel unwanted subscriptions)
- Host a zero-waste day
- Only use reusable mugs and water bottles
- Hold a paperless meeting/class
- Still using stryofoam? Switch to compostable cups and plates. (Ask us where to purchase)
- Include a waste related topic in a class lecture. Check the resources section below for a few ideas
Waste Warriors Win!
A grand prize will be awarded for our most enthusiastic and creative Waste Warriors on campus. Contact us to enter your department or residence activity for a chance to win a pizza party for eight from Chartwells.
Events & Activitives at Acadia
There are many activities happening on campus throughout the tournament. Here are some events planned so far:
- Chartwells - Signage upgrade on waste receptacles in Wheelock Hall
- Chartwells - "Take what you want - Eat what you take" dining campaign
- Chartwells - Waste sorting training for students & staff
- RecycleMania Fair - Stop by for free stuff and information about collection and waste management in the Annaopolis Valley. Date: Tuesday March 6, 2012 10AM-12PM Location: SUB
- Acadia Student Environment Network & Arthur Irving Academy for the Environment - Waste receptacle signage upgrade accross campus
Let us know what your department or residence is doing to help reduce waste and increase recycling at Acadia. Send your activity list to jodie.noiles@acadiau.ca.
Resources
Garbage Warrior is the epic story of radical Earthship eco architect Michael Reynolds, and his fight to build off-the-grid self-sufficient communities.
No Impact Man features a New York family and their quest to dramatically reduce their impact on the planet for one year. A book, blog and film about their journey is available.
The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard - Short videos, blog, podcasts and other resources about how we make, use and throw away stuff.
More Information
For information on RecycleMania check the website http://recyclemania.org/
For information on the Acadia Tournament contact:
Jodie Noiles, Sustainabililty Projects Coordinator, AIAE
Email: jodie.noiles@acadiau.ca or Ph: 585-1932
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Sabrina Hiefer, Co-Coordinator,
Acadia Envionmental and Sustainability Office (ASU)
Email:097717h@acadiau.ca
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Andy Murray, District Manager,
Chartwells Education Dining
Email: andy.murray@compass-canada.com or Ph: 542-3127
Partners
Arthur Irving Academy for the Environment
Department of Facilities and Physical Plant Services
Chartwells
Valley Waste Resource Management